The costs related to getting addiction treatment can be daunting, and it may not stop there. There might also be some costs related to aftercare that warrant consideration. Most people are aware that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires healthcare insurance companies to cover addiction treatments costs the same way they would for any other medical condition. After all, the medical community supports the idea that addictions are diseases.
What isn’t clear is whether or not aftercare programs are also covered by insurance. For purposes of this writing, we will focus specifically on halfway house living as a aftercare option. For what it’s worth, other viable aftercare programs include:
- Additional outpatient counseling
- 12-Step meetings (AA, NA)
- Sober and transitional living
Do Insurance Companies Cover the Cost of a Halfway House
Before we get into the details, we want to point out the differences between sober living and a halfway house. Sober living homes are generally more luxurious and offer plenty of nice amenities. A halfway house is a little more institutional in the way it is presented. While sober living homes have private or semi-private rooms, a halfway house might look more like a college dorm. As for rules and restrictions, a halfway house is by far more strict than a sober living home. As for the costs, sober living is far more expensive.
When it comes to a halfway house and whether a healthcare insurance provider will typically cover the costs, here are some facts to consider.
Government Sponsorship
Most halfway houses are run by government agencies. In many cases, the applicable government agency will cover a majority if not all of the costs for each resident. If there are any remaining costs, the next step would be to submit said costs to a healthcare insurance provider.
ACA Requirement
Basically, healthcare insurance providers are required to cover a least a portion of the costs incurred through a halfway house. The extent of coverage is not mandated by the ACA. However, most insurance companies are pretty generous about what they will offer. Prior to entering rehab, i’s incumbent on the addict to predetermine the extent of their insurance coverage.
If we can be of assistance with helping you determine the extent of your insurance coverage, we encourage you to pick up the phone and call one of our counselors at 833-846-5669.