United Healthcare Drug Rehab

The cost of drug rehab is one of the biggest obstacles that prevents people struggling with addiction from seeking help. However, continued drug use comes at a much higher price. The right health plan can help people with substance use disorders get the treatment they need. The Affordable Care Act mandates that all health insurance policies in the United States must cover certain health conditions. This includes at least some coverage for addiction and mental health disorders. United Healthcare, which is a part of the Fortune-500 United Health Group, is a major player in the health insurance space and provides coverage to millions of Americans, including those in need of substance abuse treatment.

United Healthcare Insurance: An Overview

United Healthcare is one of the largest health insurance providers in the United States. It offers healthcare plans in all 50 states and provides coverage to 70 million Americans. Since 1974, the United Health Group has been at the forefront of technology-enabled health services and healthcare coverage through a wide range of plans for individuals, families, and employers, including Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans.

Depending on where you live in the United States, you have access to a range of United Healthcare plans that cover a wide variety of medical conditions and healthcare needs, including addiction treatment. The majority of United Healthcare plans cover treatment for substance abuse. However, the upfront costs, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses for addiction services can fluctuate depending on your policy and location.

If you wish to enter rehab, call the National Drug Helpline on 1-844-289-0879 to find out more about out-of-pocket expenses under your plan.

United Healthcare Insurance Substance Abuse Resources

United Healthcare has a free, confidential alcohol and drug addiction helpline that is available 24/7 to people concerned about themselves or a loved one abusing drugs or alcohol.

You can call the United Healthcare Substance Use Helpline on 1-855-780-5955 in complete confidentiality, free of cost, 24/7. Specialized substance-use recovery advocates will answer your questions about coverage, cost of care, and more. They will guide you on treatment options and help you find in-network providers. The support offered by the United Healthcare hotline for substance abuse is anonymous and confidential. 

United Healthcare offers yearly preventive care services, including routine exams, screenings, and immunizations to help detect medical conditions early, when they are more treatable. The yearly preventive visits include screening and counseling for alcohol or substance abuse in a primary care setting.

Types of Addiction Treatment

Depending on the substance of abuse and the severity of the addiction, there are different types of addiction treatment available to recovering addicts, including:

• Inpatient detoxification: A residential program during which healthcare professionals provide relief from withdrawal symptoms and help the patient achieve a substance-free state.
• Outpatient detoxification: Patients travel to a rehab facility for treatment sessions several times a week to come off alcohol or drugs.
• Inpatient rehab: Patients stay at a residential rehab facility for the duration of the treatment, giving them a chance to receive intensive support and guidance from healthcare providers.
• Outpatient rehab: Patients with milder addictions or substance use disorders in the early phase can benefit from outpatient programs, where they travel to a treatment facility to receive behavioral therapy, counseling, medication management, and group support while having the flexibility to continue working and living at home.

United Healthcare Policy Coverage for Addiction Treatment

United Healthcare has a range of policies that cover a wide variety of healthcare needs and budgets. The drug and alcohol addiction services included in United Healthcare policies include both inpatient and outpatient detoxification and rehabilitation.

The PPO (preferred provider organization) plan covers a broad range of services, including substance abuse treatment. This is a traditional health plan with co-payments and deductibles. Members of a United Healthcare PPO plan have the freedom to consult any health care professional or visit any health care facility in the nationwide network, including specialists, without referral and without seeing a primary care provider. Members can also choose to obtain health care services outside the network, but these usually incur a higher co-insurance and/or deductible.

There is no one policy that is right for everyone. You should carefully weigh your requirements and the requirements of your family and determine the plan that best fits your needs in terms of coverage, costs, and the network of specialists and facilities.

In-Network and Out-of-Network Treatment Centers

Drug rehabilitation centers do not need to be in-network with United Healthcare for you to receive substance abuse treatment. However, you should check your insurance representative or call the Drug Helpline on 1-844-289-0879 to confirm out-of-network coverage and out-of-pocket expenses for substance abuse recovery.

In general, out-of-network services invite a higher deductible and a higher percentage of co-pay. It is worth noting that some plans may not cover non-network services at all, in which case you will be responsible for the entire cost of substance abuse treatment.

The United Healthcare PPO plan, for example, gives members access to a wide network of hospitals and physicians nationwide. The plan provides:

• More benefits when dealing with in-network services with lower deductibles
• Less benefits when dealing with non-network services with higher deductibles

It offers a full range of services, including treatment for substance use disorders. Members can directly access specialists without approval from a primary care physician.^[1] 

How Much Will Inpatient or Outpatient Drug Rehab Cost with a United Healthcare Policy?

Coverage for inpatient or outpatient drug rehabilitation depends on the type of United Healthcare policy you hold and the state where you reside. Many individual plans cover substance abuse treatment. Comprehensive plans from United Healthcare usually have a deductible, co-pay, and term maximum.

For example, if the estimated cost of your inpatient substance abuse treatment is $5,000, and your United Healthcare policy has a $200 deductible, a 20% co-pay, and a term maximum of $3,000, then here’s how it will work out:

You pay the deductible: $200

You pay the co-pay: 20% of the rest, i.e., 20% of $4,800, which is $960

The insurance company pays $3,000, which is the term maximum

You pay the balance: $840

In this example, your total out-of-pocket expense will be $2,000, and United Healthcare will pay $3,000. It is worth noting that for outpatient drug rehab there may be an upper limit, for example $50 or $100 per visit for individual outpatient visits, as well as a policy term maximum.

Short-Term or Temporary Coverage with United Healthcare

United Healthcare offers several types of individual and family plans, including short-term insurance plans that cover substance abuse treatment for people who:^[2] 

• have missed the deadline for enrollment in the Affordable Care Act
• are waiting for their ACA coverage to start
• want to bridge the gap between their current insurance and Medicare
• are turning 26 and coming off their parents’ plan
• are between jobs
• are waiting for health insurance benefits to kick in with a new job

It is worth noting that in most cases, short-term insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions (depending on the definition in your state, this is usually something you’ve received a diagnosis or treatment for in the past 2 to 5 years). So if you’ve been to rehab in the past 2 to 5 years and purchase a short-term United Healthcare plan now, it may not cover addiction treatment. Also, some policies like the Short-Term Medical Value plan do not cover expenses related to substance abuse treatment.

Paying Additional Costs Not Covered by United Healthcare

If your insurance policy does not cover the entire cost of treatment for substance abuse, it is natural to be worried about paying the out-of-pocket expenses. However, this should not prevent you from getting the help you need to make a successful recovery from addiction.

Call the National Drug Helpline on 1-844-289-0879, and get help understanding the type of substance abuse treatment you need, the estimated cost of the treatment, and the costs covered by your insurance policy as well as out-of-pocket expenses you need to take care of yourself.

Several local and national organizations help recovering addicts pay for the out-of-pocket expenses of addiction recovery. Many drug rehab facilities offer private funding and financing to make treatment affordable. Some addiction treatment facilities offer scholarships, grants, or subsidized programs for deserving candidates. Certain drug rehab centers have deferred payment plans that allow you to continue making payments after treatment is completed and you have been discharged. You may be offered a sliding scale (personalized quote for treatment) based on what you can realistically afford, depending on your income. Also, third-party lenders can create a loan package for you and send the money directly to the rehab program.

Choosing to finally get help for your drug or alcohol addiction is a brave step in regaining control of your life. Many people struggling with addiction avoid this decision. In turn, their health, family, and career suffer. Sadly, since addiction is a disease that only gets worse without proper treatment, some people pay the ultimate price for putting off addiction therapy.

Of course, you’re probably anxious about getting treatment. You may wonder what it will be like—how uncomfortable withdrawing from your drug of choice may be, and even how much you will have to pay for treatment. Let’s face it, some inpatient and outpatient facilities are expensive. The cost of treatment can be overwhelming.

If you have health insurance, chances are at least some of your treatment will be covered. How much will be covered depends on where you live and your individual policy. But insurance can be confusing, and so don’t let this stop you. Reach out to Drug Helpline on 1-844-289-0879 to take the next step. 

Last updated: March 8, 2023