HealthLink Health Insurance for Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation in California

HealthLink is a subsidiary of Anthem, and they provide health insurance policies in California that cover drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs in the state. With a health insurance plan from HealthLink, patients can find coverage for addiction treatment at affordable prices. Via Anthem Blue Shield, HealthLink plans are available at three levels of coverage, including bronze, silver, and gold. Overall, gold plans have the highest monthly premium yet offer the lowest out-of-pocket costs to the member. Bronze plans have lower monthly premiums, but higher out-of-pocket costs and silver plans fall within the middle of these plans. For example, the bronze plan has a yearly deductible, out-of-pocket maximum, and an in-network copay.

The rehabilitation process using health insurance is no different than someone attending drug rehab without health insurance. Health insurance plans help cover some or all the costs of drug rehab. The first step is drug detox, and this process manages withdrawal cravings and symptoms. Typically, the severity of withdrawal and addiction determine what form of drug detox is needed. Health insurance would cover medically supervised detox and standard detox programs. Following drug detox, the next step with rehabilitation involves attending a residential or outpatient drug rehab program. Like detox, the severity and extent of addiction determine what drug rehab forms are needed. Residential long-term drug rehab is an excellent option for someone with a lengthy history of addiction. Finally, it is also important for families to consider aftercare support like 12-step meetings or group counseling, and some services are covered by HealthLink insurance plans. 

How Does Private Health Insurance Cover Drug Rehab in California?

HealthLink health insurance plans, whether bronze, silver, or gold, have yearly deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, and in-network copay, which is a percentage of coinsurance until the deductible is met. However, copay and coinsurance amounts vary depending on the plan, and different drug rehab treatment options are covered. Like any other health insurance plan, there is in-network and out-of-network coverage. In-network providers have an agreement with the insurance company to provide services at certain rates and accept copy and coinsurance amounts. Overall, this results in lower expenses for HealthLink members that need drug rehab.

Additionally, out-of-network providers do not have agreements with insurance companies and may not accept health insurance plans. Unfortunately, this can result in a higher coinsurance and copay amount, and the HealthLink member could be responsible for paying 100% of the costs. The first step to determine how health insurance covers drug rehab in California is to the HealthLink provider and determine what services are covered under the plan. Also, it is important to contact the drug rehab centers and find out how the application process works when using health insurance. Drug and alcohol rehab is not affordable for every family, and health insurance plans provide excellent options to make drug rehab affordable.

What Type of Drug Rehab Does Health Insurance Cover in California?

Overall, HealthLink plans cover various drug and alcohol rehabilitation options in California. Residential drug rehab is covered under different plans, and this type of drug rehab involves the patient living at the facility during treatment. Most residential coinsurance is 100% until the deductible has been met. Outpatient drug rehabilitation is also covered, and usually, out-of-pocket costs are typically lower than with residential drug rehab. Addicts requiring medically supervised detox can access medication-assisted treatment coverage and medical detox through HealthLink plans. Aftercare support like sober living homes may also be covered. It is important to consider multiple options, and when searching for drug rehab in California, an addiction assessment is a good place to begin. The purpose of an assessment is to determine the extent and severity of drug addiction and what drug rehab options are available in California that accepts HealthLink health insurance plans.

Family Intervention for Drug Addiction in California

It is challenging to watch a loved one struggling with drug addiction, and many families are unsure of what avenues to take. Family intervention in California for drug addiction helps motivate a drug addict to seek help for their addiction. The best way to plan and organize a family intervention is by hiring a professional interventionist. Family intervention is a focused approach the brings family, friends, and an interventionist together to help the drug-addicted family member. Someone who is struggling with drug addiction is often in denial about their situation and unwilling to seek drug rehab. Moreover, they may not recognize the negative effects of their addiction and how it impacts the people around them. A professional intervention presents the drug addict with a structured opportunity to make changes before things get worse.

Family intervention with the help of a professional interventionist is a carefully planned process. During the intervention, family, friends, and the interventionist come together to confront the drug-addicted loved one about the consequences of addiction and ask them to accept treatment. The process involves providing specific examples of destructive behavior and its impact on the addict and their family. Moreover, professional intervention offers a prearranged treatment plan with clear steps, goals, and guidelines. The intervention also helps the family spell out what each person will do if their drug-addicted loved one refuses to accept drug rehab.

Health Insurance for Drug Rehab and Drug Addiction Trends in California

In the state of California, over five million Californians have Anthem health insurance and its many subsidiaries. Anthem health insurance includes subsidiaries like HealthLink insurance, and over 1.7 million people are insured through group employee plans and 0.8 million through Medi-Cal and Covered California. Drug and alcohol addiction impact people of all age groups and demographics in California. Approximately 8% of Californians, or 2.7 million people, met the criteria for substance use disorders.  Roughly 6% met the criteria for abuse of or dependence on alcohol, and 3% reported meeting criteria for abuse of or dependence on illicit drugs. Unfortunately, the rate of drug addiction is highest among young adults aged 18 to 25.

Sources-

California Health Care Foundation. Health Insurance in California: A Recent History. December 2018.

https://www.chcf.org/publication/health-insurance-california-recent-history/

California Health Care Foundation. Substance Use in California: A look at addiction and treatment. October 2018. https://www.chcf.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/SubstanceUseDisorderAlmanac2018.pdf