Drug And Alcohol Rehabs That Accept UniCare Health Insurance

Medically reviewed by

Isaac Alexis, M.D., AAMA, AMP-BC

April 23, 2019

Many people who are caught in the cycle of addiction have a genuine desire to stop, but are unable to afford treatment on their own. Addiction is a painful path, and the last thing a suffering person should have to worry about is access to treatment.

That’s why it’s so important to understand the benefits available through your health insurance plan. For those who have UniCare health insurance, coverage will likely be provided for a range of addiction treatment services.

UniCare is a health insurance provider that is owned by Optum. UniCare provides health care coverage in Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Texas, and West Virginia. The exact amount of addiction treatment coverage will vary by plan and location.

Does UniCare Health Insurance Cover Addiction Treatment?

More than 20 million Americans have a substance use disorder, but only a small percentage seek treatment each year. Fortunately, recent legislation like the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act has made it much easier for people to get the help they need.

Under this act, UniCare and other insurance companies are required to provide coverage for addiction treatment at the same level they cover other medical expenses. This means if a plan covers treatment for treatment of diabetes, they will also provide coverage for a substance use disorder.

Your UniCare plan is also required to provide coverage for prescription drugs that are used to treat addiction, called medication-assisted treatment (MAT).

The UniCare customer care service team is equipped to help you fully understand the details of your coverage. Contact a UniCare representative directly to verify the details of your plan.

Common Addiction Treatment Services That UniCare Health Insurance May Cover

Most health insurance plans will at least partially cover many different addiction treatment services. It can be helpful to familiarize yourself with these options, in order to select services that will help you to build a successful recovery.

UniCare offers health coverage in several states. Finding a rehab center that is in UniCare’s network may save you money in the long run.

UniCare health care plans will likely cover addiction treatment services that include:

• medically assisted detox
• residential treatment
• intensive outpatient programs (IOP)
• mental health counseling
• dual diagnosis care
• drug screenings
• family therapy

Addiction is a disease of chronic relapse. This means that addiction doesn’t go away, and could require constant maintenance. Aftercare treatment services can help people create long-term sobriety. After inpatient treatment, many people benefit from aftercare like sober living homes.

Medically Supervised Detox

Detox is the process that allows your body to clear itself of harmful toxins that build up during substance abuse. Detoxification can cause a person to experience agonizing withdrawal symptoms, and is always safest under medical supervision.

UniCare may provide coverage for different types of medical detox, including inpatient detoxification programs. Some patients require extended detox services, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT).

Medically monitored detox programs may provide MAT in order to reduce withdrawal symptoms and prevent relapse. People who suffer from an additional mental health disorder (such as opioid addiction and depression) may also benefit from the use of MAT.

Inpatient Treatment

Every addiction has a different level of severity. People that struggle with long-term addictions or severe physical dependencies may benefit from intensive treatment services, such as staying at an inpatient rehab center.

In a residential treatment program, clients live at the rehab center for a short period of time. Most inpatient programs last 30, 60, or 90 days. Researchers report that spending at least 90 consecutive days in treatment can increase positive recovery outcomes.

Inpatient rehab centers offer 24-hour supervision along with individual therapy, medication management therapy, and motivational interviewing.

UniCare may require members to get a medical referral for inpatient treatment, sometimes called pre-authorization. This means your doctor may be asked to fill out a form stating that inpatient treatment is necessary for your recovery process.

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP)

Many people are unable to attend inpatient treatment, due to personal or professional commitments. They may be unable to take a leave of absence from work, or have young children at home. Fortunately, there are several outpatient treatment options available.

In a partial hospitalization program, people struggling with addiction are able to participate in an intensive level of care that is non-residential. Mental health services, trauma therapy, and family counseling are part of many PHPs.

Partial hospitalization programs are usually offered on a semi-flexible schedule. Most PHPs hold sessions five days per week, in a medical setting.

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)

Intensive outpatient programs offer many of the same benefits as PHPs, but are offered on a more flexible schedule. Treatment sessions may include mental health therapy, medication-assisted treatment, and drug screenings.

Some people attend outpatient treatment programs as an aftercare treatment option, in order to access continued support and accountability.

Outpatient programs are not as closely supervised as inpatient rehab centers or PHPs. Therefore, this type of treatment usually works best for those who already have a strong support system and a low chance of relapse.

Common Questions About Using UniCare Health Insurance For Drug And Alcohol Rehab

Understanding your UniCare insurance plan is one of the first steps in getting treatment for your addiction. However, it can be difficult to navigate the world of rehab centers and insurance coverage.

Contacting a UniCare representative directly is a good place to begin. They will be able to verify your plan’s coverage, and may even recommend an in-network rehab center.

Next, you may want to connect with a treatment specialist to help you select the type of treatment that will be most beneficial for your needs. In order to make sure all of your questions are answered, consider having a list of commonly asked questions on hand.

Important questions to ask about using your UniCare Health plan for rehab centers include:

• Are there any addiction treatment coverage criteria for my UniCare health plan?
• Do my insurance benefits cover inpatient treatment? For what lengths of stay?
• Does my plan provide coverage for PHPs or IOPs?
• Do I need any medical pre-authorization before I am covered for treatment?
• Does my UniCare plan cover medication-assisted treatment?
• What are my estimated out-of-pocket costs?

How To Find A Treatment Center That Accepts UniCare Health Insurance

Most insurance plans will greatly reduce the cost of drug and alcohol rehab centers. During the treatment enrollment process, it feels good to know you are getting the most from your insurance benefits.

We are here to help you during this important process. For more information on drug and alcohol rehabs that accept UniCare health insurance, reach out to one of our treatment specialists today.