Can You Use Florida Blue (BCBS of Florida) Insurance to Cover Treatment at Alcohol & Drug Rehab Centers?

When it comes to substance use in the U.S., more than 19% of people of all ages have used illicit substances at least once in their lifetime. This led to about 700,000 overdose-related deaths in the past 22 years.¹

In Florida alone, there were 7,460 fatal overdoses in 2020, as well as almost 70,000 drug arrests. This alone shows how important drug and alcohol treatment is for people struggling with addiction.²

As health insurance is how most people finance their treatment at specialized rehabs, many people from Florida will use Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida (BCBS of Florida) insurance to cover their drug treatment.³

If you’re unsure whether your healthcare plan will cover addiction treatment, you can contact the rehab you’re interested in, or you can call your Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida provider by calling the phone number on the back of your card.

Another option is to reach out to American Addictions Centers (AAC) through different channels, such as chats, calls, and online forms.

What Is Florida Blue (BCBS of Florida)?

Florida Blue is a state-regulated, non-profitable health insurance provider. It’s an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association that was formed in 1982 when two of its namesake organizations, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, merged.^4,5

It provides healthcare to 4.2 million people in Florida, and it holds a 30% share of the Florida health insurance market. According to nationwide statistics, Florida Blue serves 27 million people in 35 US states.⁴

The Extent of BCBS Of Florida Coverage for Drug Rehabilitation

Due to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) from 2008, all healthcare insurance providers must provide their members with the same amount of coverage for substance abuse and mental health as they would for any other medically-necessary procedure.⁶

BCBS of Florida provides various healthcare insurance plans. As these provide various benefits, this means that the type of treatment covered will also vary. Treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) has to be individualized, as not everyone will require the same type of care. For example, women seeking treatment might need some special considerations, especially if they’re pregnant or breastfeeding.⁷

Nonetheless, BCBS of Florida might cover these common aspects of addiction treatment:⁷

• The initial assessment upon intake.
• Safe, medically-managed detox services.
• Outpatient and intensive outpatient programs (IOP).
• Inpatient treatment that can be long-lasting.
• Stays in residential treatment centers in Florida.
• Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs).
• Dual-diagnosis for treatment of co-occurring disorders.

Do You Have Coverage for Mental Health Treatment with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida?

People with SUD often have some chronic diseases or mental health struggles. When mental health problems co-exist with substance abuse, this is known as a co-occurring disorder.⁸

For a treatment to be effective, a person needs to get treated for both SUD and co-occurring mental health issues. This is why dual diagnosis and addiction treatment are commonly offered at substance abuse treatment centers in Florida and all other states.⁷

As MHPAEA also includes mental health conditions, this means that mental health coverage might be among your Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida benefits.⁶

The Length of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida Insurance Alcohol and Drug Treatment Coverage

As mentioned before, treatment for substance abuse has to be individualized. This includes not just the services provided, but also their length. Different individuals might require different lengths of treatment. This is why you should always listen to medical professionals and their advice on the treatment required.⁹

It’s impossible to say what type of treatment would work the best for you without assessing your entire situation upon admission to your preferred rehab center. However, there are some indications that a person should stay in rehab for at least 90 days in order to show significant improvement and to retain sobriety for longer than a year.⁹

Still, there are many possible lengths of treatment. Some people go to short-term 30-day programs as they feel like they are sufficient for their treatment. While any treatment is better than no treatment, you might find more benefits if you go to a 90 or 60-day rehab program at your local treatment center. In fact, you might even find long-term programs lasting more than 6 month. Additionally, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida may also cover drug detox treatment that usually last up to 10 days, depending on the substance in question and your overall state.⁹

As for how long Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida insurance will cover your rehab, this entirely depends on your plan and the drug treatment providers in question. You can check this information by calling the number on the back of your card.

What if I Don’t Have Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida Substance Abuse Treatment Coverage?

Not every person has BCBS of Florida, or a healthcare plan that covers the entire length of their stay in treatment centers. Fortunately, health insurance is not the only way of financing treatment.¹⁰

Some facilities offer low-cost care or even free treatment for those who cannot pay for it. Others have payment assistance for those with low annual income. You might also be able to borrow some money from your family and friends. Additionally, all states have a special fund to provide treatment to those without insurance. You need to contact the state agency to see how this process goes.¹⁰

It’s essential to mention that SUD can progressively damage your brain and your health. So, you shouldn’t wait to get treatment, as this can cost more harm to your health and it will end up being more expensive in the end.⁹

Should You Go to BCBS of Florida In-Network or Out-of-Network Inpatient Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities?

In-network facilities are facilities that accept your health insurance plan. They are also known as participating providers.¹¹

Out-of-network facilities don’t have an agreement with BCBS of Florida, and as such they can be more costly. This is because out-of-network facilities don’t accept the approved amount, which means you’ll be the one responsible for paying the difference between the treatment provider’s full price and the approved amount of your plan.¹¹

As for which one is better, this is entirely up to you. To find out which facility accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield Florida therapy coverage, you should contact your healthcare provider.

Locating Inpatient Drug Treatment Centers That Accept BCBS of Florida

Whether you’re trying to get treatment in a local rehab in Florida, or you’re trying to find facilities that accept Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida substance abuse coverage, the first step you might want to take is to contact your health insurance provider and ask them about in-network facilities and your benefits, as well as to check your additional options for paying for treatment.

Your next option is to call a local hotline offering SUD information. Next to finding Florida Blue locations near you, it can also help you find addiction resources that might interest you, as well as get more information about your potential stay in rehab, or even about the Marchman Act and how you can help someone get treatment. You can also ask about luxury rehab centers, as these might offer amenities such as same-day admission for people who require it, or flexible rehab options for executives.

Another option is to contact AAC and their professional team of admission experts. They can verify your insurance and let you know about the benefits your healthcare plan offers. They can direct you to some of their advanced facilities that offer both short-term programs for mild SUD and long-term programs for more complex addiction. Additionally, all AAC facilities are in contact with all major insurance providers, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida and Anthem.

In fact, if you’re in Florida, you might be interested in 2 of their local facilities: River Oaks Treatment Center and Recovery First Treatment Center.

River Oaks

River Oaks Treatment Center is located in Riverview, and it’s a high-quality rehab facility that combines world-class amenities with evidence-based therapies. It offers individualized treatment made to fit everyone’s needs.

Some of the services you can get in River Oaks Treatment Center include, but are not limited to:

• Dual diagnosis.
• Safe medical detox.
• Inpatient treatment.
• Outpatient therapy and IOP.
• Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs).

Recovery First

Recovery First Treatment Center is located in Hollywood, and it provides people with not just evidence-based therapeutic programs but also world-class care. It guarantees the highest standard of care for all patients.

At Recovery First, you can get:

• Medical detox.
• Treatment for co-occurring mental health conditions.
• Outpatient therapy and IOP.
• Inpatient and residential treatment.

And many other services.