Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance Coverage for Addiction Treatment

Blue Cross Blue Shield is one of the nation’s largest health insurance companies. If you are a Veteran with BCBS insurance, some or all of your addiction treatment at an American Addiction Centers facility may be covered.

Read on to learn more about using Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance for addiction treatment.

What Is Blue Cross Blue Shield?

The Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Association is a national network of 34 independent, community-based, and locally operated health insurance companies.¹

Some well-known BCBS companies include:²

• Anthem Blue Cross.
• Blue Shield of California.
• Florida Blue.
• Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Nevada.
• Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey.
• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas.

What Health Plans Are Offered by BCBS?

Blue Cross Blue Shield’s individual and family plans fall into 3 or 4 categories, ranging from bronze to platinum. The available plans may vary from state to state.

Generally, bronze plans have the lowest monthly premiums with the highest deductibles, compared to platinum plans, which have the highest monthly premiums and lowest deductibles.

In summary, the tiered plans of Blue Cross Blue Shield are as follows:⁵

• Bronze: This level covers around 60% of medical costs, with a low monthly payment and a high deductible.
• Silver: This level covers around 70% of medical costs, with a slightly higher monthly payment and lower deductible.
• Gold: This level covers around 80% of medical costs, with a higher monthly payment and low deductible.
• Platinum: This level covers around 90% of medical costs, with the highest monthly payment and lowest deductible.

What States Does BCBS Service?

Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) services all 50 states, plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Eligibility Requirements & Coverage

Specific BCBS eligibility requirements and coverage will vary depending on the state you live in, the affiliate company (e.g., Anthem Blue Cross), and the individual health insurance plan.

Do I Need BCBS if I Have VA Benefits?

No, you do not necessarily need BCBS or other insurance if you have VA health benefits. The VA provides mental health services, including drug and alcohol treatment, through its own healthcare system.⁶

In certain cases, Veterans may also be able to use their VA benefits outside the VA through the Community Care program. American Addition Centers is an approved community care provider (CCP), which means eligible Veterans may be able to receive treatment at any 1 of our 8 top-tier addiction facilities across the U.S.⁷

However, for various reasons, Veterans may choose to purchase a private health insurance plan, like those offered by BCBS. Paying for private health insurance can expand patient access to medical providers, facilities, overall care, and care for family members.⁸

Can I Have Blue Cross Blue Shield & Other Forms of Insurance?

Yes, you can have a Blue Cross Blue Shield health plan and another form of insurance. This is sometimes called secondary or supplemental insurance.^8,9

For example, people may have secondary insurance through a spouse or employer. Or they will sometimes purchase secondary or supplemental insurance coverage to expand their benefits beyond what is covered by their primary insurance.

When a person has 2 or more plans, the insurance companies will work together is what’s known as a “coordination of benefits.”

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Include Medicaid and Medicare?

Certain Blue Cross Blue Shield companies may offer different types of Medicare plans, including Medicare Advantage (part C), prescription drug coverage (part D), and Medigap (Medicare supplement).

This additional coverage extends benefits beyond parts A and B, which are the free Original Medicare plans offered to Americans age 65 and older and other eligible participants.

Mental health services, including drug and alcohol addiction treatment, are considered essential health benefits and covered by Original Medicare (parts A and B).

Contact your local BCBS company for more information about plan options, costs, and coverage.

Additionally, certain BCBS companies or licensees may offer or service their state’s Medicaid plans. Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health coverage to some people with limited resources or low incomes.¹¹

For example, the BCBS companies Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California service California’s Medicaid program, Medi-Cal.

To learn more about using Medicare or Medicaid at an American Addiction Centers facility, call us at .

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Addiction Treatment?

Mental health care is considered an “essential health benefit,” which means that if you hold a BCBS health plan, you should have some degree of coverage for substance abuse treatment. Exactly how much coverage you have will depend on your specific BCBS plan.

Blue Cross Blue Shield provides a variety of substance use resources, including links to national and state programs that can help. There are also treatment centers chosen by BCBS as Blue Distinction® centers, which are programs that provide high-quality, evidence-based, patient-focused care.

At AAC, Blue Cross Blue Shield has recognized 2 of our facilities with this honor: Desert Hope Treatment Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Greenhouse Outpatient Center in Arlington, Texas (near Dallas).

Does BCBS Cover Medications?

Blue Cross Blue Shield may cover the cost of addiction treatment medications, if they are determined to be necessary. The exact amount of coverage and specific medications covered will differ based on the individual BCBS plan.

What Does BCBS Not Cover?

Health insurance plans vary greatly from one plan to the next. To get a better sense of what your BSBC plan covers and does not cover, review your “Explanation of Benefits” or call the phone number on the back of your insurance card to speak to a representative.

Using Blue Cross Blue Shield for Addiction Treatment at AAC?

Most American Addiction Centers accept and are in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance. If you are a Veteran with a BCBS plan, some or all of your addiction treatment at an AAC facility may be covered.

American Addiction Centers is one of the nation’s largest networks of drug and alcohol rehabs.

With locations in California, Nevada, Florida (near Miami), Florida (near Tampa), Texas, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Mississippi, our admissions navigators can work with you to find the treatment center that is most convenient for you and equipped to meet your individual needs.

At AAC, we provide personalized, evidence-based care designed to help patients better understand and reshape the thoughts and behaviors that drive addiction. Our different types of addiction treatment include:

• Medical detox.
• Inpatient or residential treatment.
• Partial hospitalization programs (PHP).
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOP).
• Standard outpatient treatment.

Our admissions navigators are available around the clock to discuss your treatment options, ways to pay for rehab, using insurance to pay for rehab, and the rehab admissions process.

You can also quickly check your insurance benefits by filling out confidential form below.

Addiction is treatable, and you are not alone. If you’re ready to begin the path to recovery, call us at today.