Alcohol And Drug Rehabs That Accept Amerigroup Insurance

Medically reviewed by

Brenda Munnerlyn, RN, BSN

April 16, 2019

Finding affordable treatment for substance abuse can be difficult without health insurance. People that have health insurance may have benefits within their plan that can cover the cost of addiction treatment.

Amerigroup is a top United States insurance provider that has various medical, mental health, and substance use disorder (SUD) programs. These programs give members access to insurance representatives that can help people find treatment services covered by their health plan.

Addiction is a serious disease. With Amerigroup health insurance, financial cost does not have to be a barrier to seeking treatment. Talking with a treatment specialist and Amerigroup agent can help you understand your plan benefits and find treatment options that suit your needs.

Does Amerigroup Insurance Cover Drug And Alcohol Rehab?

People with Amerigroup insurance that are seeking treatment may be able to use their insurance to reduce or cover addiction treatment costs. This applies to a wide range of services that can help people achieve full, mind-and-body recovery.

Each person overcoming addiction has unique needs for treatment that works for them. Coverage for treatment services can vary based on your location and the type of plan you have.

Under federal law, most health insurance providers must offer some amount of coverage for mental health and substance abuse treatment. If you are unsure about your coverage, our RehabCenter.net treatment specialists can explain how this may apply to you.

Addiction Treatment Services Covered By Amerigroup

Amerigroup health insurance offers coverage for a wide range of substance abuse treatment services. This includes preventative services as well as other beneficial treatments throughout the recovery process.

Addiction treatment services that may be covered by Amerigroup include:

• medically assisted detox
• intensive family intervention
• substance abuse screenings
• inpatient treatment
• counseling
• medication-assisted treatment
• dual-diagnosis treatment programs
• outpatient detox
• partial hospitalization programs (PHP)
• outpatient treatment

Amerigroup’s mental health and substance abuse programs also provide 24/7 crisis intervention services for members in emergency situations.

In most cases, Amerigroup only covers treatment services through in-network rehab centers and providers. Exceptions may include out-of-network emergency services. Proof of medical necessity or precertification from your doctor may also be needed to receive coverage.

Medically Assisted Detox Programs

The first step in overcoming drug or alcohol addiction is to undergo detox. Detoxification is the process of allowing a drug or substance to leave the body. The length of this process can vary based on several factors, including how long someone has been abusing a substance.

People who become addicted to drugs or alcohol may experience a variety of withdrawal symptoms during detox. This can cause mild to severe physical discomfort, as well as psychological symptoms. In the most severe cases, these symptoms can be deadly.

The safest way to detox is to enter a medical detox program. Medical detox provides a supervised environment for people to undergo withdrawal. Within a monitored setting, patients can also be treated with certain drugs to ease withdrawal symptoms.

Medical detox may be covered under your Amerigroup health plan based on your benefits. Planned inpatient stays for detox may require prior authorization — i.e. approval from your insurance.

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient rehab is an intensive level of treatment that can be beneficial, and sometimes necessary, for overcoming addiction. This type of treatment involves living in a facility for 24-hour structure and supervision. Inpatient programs may offer various treatments known to be effective for substance abuse, and typically last 30 to 90 days.

Patients may attend group therapy and counseling sessions to learn healthy coping and life skills. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) can also be helpful to ease drug/alcohol cravings and other withdrawal symptoms in early sobriety.

With prior authorization, many Amerigroup plans offer coverage for inpatient treatment. Getting prior authorization may require submitting a referral from your doctor to Amerigroup to prove medical necessity. Policies regarding prior authorization for treatment can vary between plans and states.

Some Amerigroup plans may not cover full costs for inpatient treatment. Your plan may require a copayment or meeting a deductible before covering any costs. Other plans may offer full coverage, but only for a specified number of days per calendar year.

In some cases, those with Amerigroup may need to travel out-of-state for rehab that accepts their insurance. This can be more common for those in rural areas seeking inpatient treatment.

Outpatient Treatment

Most treatment plans for addiction recovery recommend aftercare support once a person has completed an inpatient program. Aftercare on an outpatient basis can look different for each person based on their needs.

Day programs, such as partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient, are often recommended for people who need significant support. These programs typically involve attending treatment at a facility between three and ten hours a day, two to seven days a week.

People may also continue seeing a substance abuse counselor and medical doctor on an outpatient basis.

Recovery is a lifelong process. Attending community support groups such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and outpatient treatment can ensure you have the support you need in times of struggle.

Working with in-network treatment providers can reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket costs for regular appointments with your treatment team. If you need to work with an out-of-network provider, you may be able to submit a claim or appeal to Amerigroup to request coverage.

Prescription Drugs

Drug and alcohol withdrawal can cause a variety of symptoms that affect the mind and body. These symptoms can be uncomfortable and in some cases lead to relapse. Certain medications approved by the FDA to treat addiction can help.

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) may be recommended on both an inpatient and outpatient basis based on each person’s needs. Medications are commonly provided during detox to ease severe withdrawal. However, many people can also benefit from taking them for weeks or even months after they have stopped their drug or alcohol use.

People may also be prescribed medications to treat co-occurring mental health or medical disorders. Prescription drug coverage through Amerigroup can vary based on your plan benefits. Depending on the drug, you may be responsible for a small copay per prescription.

Common Questions About Using Amerigroup To Pay For Rehab

Figuring out how to use your health insurance to cover rehab costs can be confusing. Talking to a treatment specialist or contacting Amerigroup member services can help you better understand your coverage and treatment options.

Knowing what your insurance is able to cover can help you avoid unexpected costs and fees while you are receiving treatment. This can provide you and your loved ones with better peace of mind.

There are several questions that may be important to ask your insurance provider before entering treatment. If you do not take certain steps, such as submitting prior authorization, you may not be able to receive insurance coverage.

Questions to ask before using Amerigroup to pay for addiction treatment:

• Does my Amerigroup insurance plan cover inpatient treatment? If so, for how long?
• How do I submit prior authorization to Amerigroup for treatment services?
• Does my insurance cover medical detox programs?
• What rehab centers accept my Amerigroup plan?
• Will I be responsible for meeting any deductibles, or providing copayments?
• What outpatient treatment services can my health plan cover?
• Does my Amerigroup plan include prescription drug coverage?
• What paperwork, if any, do I have to submit before entering any level of treatment?

How To Find A Rehab Center Covered By Amerigroup

Finding treatment for yourself or a loved one can be a stressful process. This is especially true when it comes to cost. Understanding your health insurance coverage for rehab can help.

Don’t wait to seek treatment. Contact us today to learn more about your Amerigroup addiction treatment benefits and find a rehab center that accepts your insurance.