Alcohol And Drug Rehabs That Accept Cigna Insurance
Medically reviewed by
Debra Wallace, MA.Ed, LPCC-S, LICDC-CSApril 5, 2019
Using medical insurance like Cigna to pay for rehab can help lessen the load of the financial impact of treatment. Cigna has many options and covers a variety of treatments for its clients depending on the plan they have.
Seeking treatment is a feat in and of itself, so paying for it shouldn’t be. Luckily, insurance companies like Cigna often provide financial coverage for a number of addiction treatment services.
Cigna offers employers the option to provide mental health and addiction benefits through their Behavioral Health division. They also have an Alcohol Specialty Care Management Team whose mission it is to provide support for those seeking help with alcohol dependency or a problem drinking.
The specific amount that Cigna will cover for treatment at a rehab center will vary. As you begin to plan your recovery, it’s important to understand your benefits in order to develop a treatment program that will suit your needs.
Does Cigna Cover Alcohol And Drug Rehab?
Cigna health insurance plans are available in California, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Tennessee, Connecticut, North Carolina, Michigan, Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida. Most of these states require health insurance providers to offer some level of benefit for mental health and addiction treatment.
If your insurance is provided by you or your spouse’s employer, chances are that you have addiction treatment coverage of some form. The ensures you have coverage at levels similar to your plan’s coverage for other inpatient and outpatient hospital care.
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Individual and family coverage is another matter. The addiction benefits these plans provide vary highly depending on the options you chose when enrolling and on your state’s regulations. Because most states mandate some level of coverage for addiction treatment, you are probably eligible for some treatment coverage.
Addiction Treatment Services Covered By Cigna
Each insurance plan with Cigna will offer a different level of coverage for addiction treatment. Your plan will also determine how much you will be required to pay out-of-pocket for treatment services.
Depending on the plan, you may or may not have to complete an assessment through Cigna to determine your eligibility for coverage.
Common addiction treatment services covered under Cigna insurance include:
- medically monitored detox programs
- interventions
- drug testing
- dual diagnosis treatment programs
- family therapy
- mental health treatment
Additionally, Cigna plans often cover more intensive addiction treatment services like inpatient and outpatient treatment. Coverage will likely only be provided at certain rehab centers that accept Cigna.
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment programs are much more intensive than outpatient programs and are covered by many Cigna plans. Cigna will typically cover a portion or all of the inpatient treatment. They may require one or a series of copays.
Inpatient programs require individuals to live residentially at a rehab facility for an extended period of time. Cigna typically covers a one to six week stay depending on the patient’s needs and level of addiction.
There are several treatment services that are offered during inpatient treatment. These may include detoxification, counseling, different types of therapy, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and others.
Cigna suggests that inpatient treatment may be a good option if:
- you’ve tried outpatient treatment but it didn’t work
- you have other physical or mental health problems
- your home situation makes it hard to stay away from drugs or alcohol
- you don’t live near an outpatient treatment clinic
Not all inpatient rehab centers accept Cigna, but many often do. Speaking with a treatment specialist to see which rehab facilities accept Cigna and the length of time you will need to spend in treatment will give you a better idea of the overall cost.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment is often the first option offered to someone struggling with drug or alcohol addiction. These types of programs are typically offered at rehab centers, doctors’ offices, hospitals, or local health department offices.
Outpatient programs typically provide similar treatment services compared to inpatient programs but on a less intensive scale.
Cigna suggests that outpatient treatment may be a good option if:
- you can’t or don’t want to quit work or take a leave of absence
- you want to be close to loved ones
- you can stay away from drugs or alcohol where you live
- inpatient treatment is too expensive
Cigna plans typically offer coverage for outpatient programs and services, such as counseling and medication management. The amount of coverage will vary between plans.
There are a few different types of outpatient treatment. Standard outpatient programs require patients to attend one or two therapies sessions a week. These therapy sessions may be individual or in a group setting.
Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) usually require patients to spend 10 to 20 hours a week in counseling. This typically happens over the course of three days a week. Partial hospitalization programs (PHP) requires individuals to attend treatment five days a week for several hours each day.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Several people will require medication to successfully and comfortably withdraw from the substance of abuse. They may also need medication throughout their treatment program to further chances of recovery.
Cigna typically covers MAT in the same way that it covers typical prescription medications. The coverage of medication-assisted treatment will, of course, vary from plan to plan. This makes it important to know your coverage going into treatment to avoid surprise costs.
Using Your Plan With Cigna To Cover Addiction Treatment
Before you use your Cigna plan to cover addiction treatment services, it’s best to become familiar with some important factors. One of these is ensuring that the treatment center you plan on attending accepts Cigna insurance.
Additionally, speaking with a treatment specialist to better understand the services you will need is important. This allows you to make sure that each service is partially or fully covered by Cigna to avoid unwanted costs.
A Cigna representative can help you better understand your coverage options and the overall cost of treatment. This ensures that you can adequately plan for the financial side of treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Covering Treatment With Cigna
Seeking addiction treatment can be a life-changing decision that can provide countless benefits. However, many people have several questions before going into treatment, especially pertaining to the cost.
Knowing the right questions to ask your insurance company and treatment specialist will help you better prepare for an addiction program. This will allow you to know exactly what you will be required to pay and avoid unexpected fees.
Common questions to ask when using Cigna to cover addiction treatment services include:
- Does my plan cover a medically monitored detox program and any needed medications?
- Does my Cigna plan cover outpatient treatment? If so, what types of outpatient treatment are covered?
- Does my plan cover inpatient treatment? What lengths of stay are covered?
- Does my Cigna plan offer coverage for medication-assisted treatment or any medications that may be needed throughout treatment?
- What am I required to pay out-of-pocket?
- Is a medical assessment required before seeking treatment?
- Is there any paperwork that I’m required to submit to Cigna before attending treatment?
How To Find A Rehab Program That Accepts Cigna
Insurance can help to reduce or eliminate the cost of addiction treatment services. This can ease your stress regarding the financial side of attending an alcohol or drug addiction rehab program.
While it may seem confusing at first, using Cigna insurance to cover treatment programs doesn’t have to be a difficult process. Contact a treatment specialist today to get more information on the coverage your plan offers and the treatment facilities that accept Cigna insurance.
Article SourcesCigna - Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment for Substance Use Problems
National Institute on Drug Abuse - Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition)
Cigna - Transparency in Coverage