Should addiction counselling and treatment be covered by health insurance?
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Often, drug use starts as a recreational activity but ends up as an addiction. With regular use, people addicted to substances may require even higher doses to feel normal. Withdrawal symptoms occur if they try to discontinue. It can also lead to an overdose or be overcome by suicidal thoughts.
How Can It Be Treated?
Treatment for alcohol or drug addiction involves rehabilitation for individuals who are heavily dependent on substances. These could be alcohol, marijuana, meth, cocaine, opioids, or heroin. A rehab facility helps the addicted person get over drug dependency. Treatment could be medical or psychotherapeutic.
Is Treatment Costly?
Rehabilitation and treatment can be expensive, if not covered by insurance. Some plans cover addiction treatment and rehabilitation. Cost also depends on the type of programme a person is being put in and the duration of treatment. While a doctor may suggest a set of treatments, insurance may not cover the full costs and the person may have to look for other finance options.
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Addiction And Health Insurance
In the United States, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) states that individuals with conditions like drug addiction cannot be denied health insurance. It covers substance abuse under essential health benefits that insurers have to provide. This means that mental health care and treatment related to drug addiction are covered by insurers. However, the kind of treatment being offered may not be in line with what the individual needs. They may be pushed to settle for a lower-cost treatment.