Health insurance is an asset when it comes to treating addiction since it often means that you will have fewer worries about how you will pay for your treatment. However, it can be very confusing to try to navigate through complicated coverage documents and plan details when you are already dealing with so much emotionally and physically. One of the biggest questions people find themselves asking as they begin comparing the cost of programs is what it means when a treatment program is out-of-network versus in-network. While your insurance plan will tell you which programs fit into each category, understanding this information will help you figure out what works best for your situation.

Understand What In-Network Means
Insurance companies sometimes offer contracts to health care providers that join their network and offer discounted rates for the services they perform. These relationships often serve as a way to reduce costs to the health insurance company and the people covered under the plans, but it may also limit your options for addiction treatment if you feel compelled to only go through an in-network provider. While staying in-network usually provides you with lower costs for treatment, it is important to remember that other factors may influence your ability to enjoy a successful recovery.

Explore Out-of-Network Options
Many addiction treatment programs accept multiple different forms of insurance. However, you should be aware that simply accepting your health insurance does not always mean that a program is considered to be in-network. Your insurance company will still cover programs that are out-of-network, but you may face higher costs than you would if you went to an in-network program. Exploring out-of-network programs may still be worth it in the long run if you are able to gain access to a program that is tailored to fit your needs and is not available through in-network providers.

Identify All of Your Treatment Choices
You should also keep in mind that many drug and alcohol addiction treatment centers offer the option to self-pay as needed. You may choose to do this if you do not have adequate insurance coverage, or you may opt to pay the portion that your insurance company will not pay for an out-of-network provider. For many people, using health insurance to cover part of treatment while paying for the rest provides a suitable middle ground so that they can go to the treatment center of their choice. Usually, however, insurance companies are likely to cover the majority of the cost of treatment since helping people end addiction promotes better overall health that reduces the need for more expensive health care in the future.

Focus on Finding Effective Treatment
As a general rule, long-term hospital stays for treatment tend to be more expensive than outpatient options. Yet, many people find that they need more intensive treatment than simply stopping for a counseling session after work once a week. If you fall into this category, then you need to know that there are other options that help you find a middle ground. For instance, Intensive Outpatient Programs allow you to experience the same level of addiction treatment therapy as you would in an inpatient program while allowing you to avoid the costs associated with a stay in a hospital facility. Check with your insurance company to find out if they offer blended programs such as outpatient treatment combined with a stay in a sober living facility since this can greatly reduce your costs.

Look at the Whole Picture
While it is true that going to an addiction program does mean momentarily taking a break from your normal life, it allows you to move forward with greater health that benefits you financially as well. As you explore your options, consider how each one affects your overall lifestyle. For instance, an outpatient program can enable you to continue working as you move through the different phases of your treatment, and this helps to offset any costs that you may pay. Additionally, your time in treatment also provides you with an opportunity to make changes in your life that promote better financial health as you heal physically and emotionally from your addiction.

The process of paying for treatment should never be a barrier for getting help with your addiction. Please let us know if you have questions about your plan or its coverage so that a member of our team can help you make sure that the expense is never an issue that stops you from enjoying the life that awaits you in recovery.