90-Day Rehab for Veterans

If you or somebody you know is a Veteran who needs help overcoming a substance use disorder, a 90-day drug or alcohol treatment program may be worth exploring. This article outlines the services and costs of 90-day rehab programs, details U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) coverage while discussing other resources, and helps you find the treatment program you deserve.

What Is a 90-Day Rehab Program?

A 90-day rehab program can provide additional time for someone to practice recovery skills in a supportive and safe environment. The duration of a drug and alcohol treatment program can vary and depends on each person’s individual problems and needs.¹

Why 90 days? Research indicates most people struggling with an addiction may need at least 3 months in treatment to stop or significantly reduce drug use, and that longer treatment durations are associated with the best outcomes.¹

For those with a long-standing drug or alcohol addiction or a history of relapse, 90-day rehab programs may be especially beneficial. Remaining in treatment for a longer period may improve the chances of continued recovery.¹

Beyond goals based on individual needs, the overarching goals of 90-day rehab centers and other addiction treatment models are to:¹

• Reduce substance use.
• Maximize life-functioning.
• Reduce the severity and frequency of relapse.

For substance use treatment, the American Society of Addiction Medicine lists the following 5 different levels of care:²

• Prevention/Early Intervention
• Level 1: Outpatient Services
• Level 2: Intensive Outpatient/Partial Hospitalization Services
• Level 3: Residential/Inpatient Services
• Level 4: Medically Managed Intensive Inpatient Services

Many 90-day drug and alcohol rehab centers provide multiple levels of both inpatient and outpatient services.

Outpatient settings allow you to travel to and from where you live, and many programs have schedules that minimize interference with your daily life. Visits range from daily to once weekly or less.

Outpatient services range from individual and group therapy sessions to day treatment centers offering more intensive treatment requiring up to 20 hours per week of your participation. Those who benefit best from outpatient care tend to have:¹

• Good social support.
• Transportation.
• Housing.
• The ability to attend programs regularly.

Inpatient rehab and residential rehab programs involve residing in a facility during treatment. These programs may be particularly beneficial for those needing drug detoxification or those struggling with both a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder or serious medical issues.⁴

It is common for patients to move between levels of care during a 90-day rehab program. For some, treatment may begin with a more intensive inpatient program with the goal of restoring a life free of substance use. As a patient’s needs change, they may step down to another level of care such as partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient.⁴

For others, treatment may start with outpatient care, and care may either remain at the outpatient level or evolve into a need for more intensive inpatient care.⁴

What Happens During a 90-Day Drug Treatment Program?

Taking that first step for help is crucial, and once you find the program that meets your needs, you can expect a similar treatment path among most 90-day treatment centers.

• Intake and evaluation: An intake assessment includes your history, a physical, lab work, and other information to determine your needs and options. The information gained from the evaluation determines a treatment plan.
• Medical detox: The treatment plan may indicate the need for inpatient detox (outpatient detox may be appropriate for some), where you are closely cared for while the drugs work through your system. After finishing the detox, you are ready for further treatment. Depending on the drugs involved and the use severity, medical detox can take at least 24 hours, often longer.
• Residential treatment: Once cleared from detox, addiction treatment, and rehabilitation begins. Along with clinical guidance, you determine which level of care best meets your needs. During residential treatment, you continue to live on-site at the rehab facility.
• Outpatient treatment: Outpatient treatment may be provided at several levels, such as partial hospitalization (PHP) or intensive outpatient (IOP). Patients attending outpatient rehab live at home while attending treatment at the rehab facility. Some patients may live in a sober living community.
• Aftercare: Most programs provide aftercare services. These may be a continuance of outpatient care, transfer to a longer-term residential program, and referrals to community resources.

Types of addiction treatment you can expect during a 90-day drug rehab include various programs and services. Orientation to aftercare programs and services ends most programs. Treatment may include:^1,3

• Medications.
• Group and individual counseling.
• Behavioral therapies.
• Substance use disorder education.
• Training to prevent relapse.
• Family education and counseling.
• Life skills training.

How Much Does 90-Day Drug Rehab Cost?

Before considering the cost of drug treatment, remember the price you pay for addiction. Be sure to weigh the loss of work, the impact on families, and health concerns in your calculations.

The cost of treatment depends significantly on different factors. These can include the following:

• Whether the care is at an outpatient versus inpatient setting and at what intensity
• The needs of your treatment plan
• The amount your benefits or insurance will cover
• A particular facility’s pricing and offered services
• Other factors such as the length of stay, your medical conditions, and other variables

Fortunately, the cost of treatment does not and should not have to be a stumbling block. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Act of 2008 restricts health insurance providers from being more restrictive on benefits for mental health and substance use treatment than they are for medical/surgical care.⁵

If using private or employer-sponsored health insurance, it can be helpful to find out:⁶

• Your deductible, which is how much cost you incur before your insurance company begins to pay.
• Whether you have any co-payments.
• Whether the 90-day treatment center is in-network with your insurance—it costs more to go outside the network.
• Whether you have a case manager and how to stay in touch.

If you don’t have private insurance, other resources exist to help you cover the cost of treatment. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) assures, “Some facilities offer free or low-cost care, sliding scale fees based on your income, or have payment assistance available.”⁶

Will the VA Cover 90-Day Rehab Programs?

The VA offers a wealth of drug and alcohol treatment settings and programs.⁷ Your priority group governs access to the VA health system. Depending on your priority group, you may have to make co-payments for inpatient and outpatient care, especially if it is not service-connected.⁸

VA treatments for drug and alcohol misuse are wide-ranging. Among these treatments, the VA provides:⁷

• Medically managed detoxification.
• Residential care.
• Drug substitution treatment.
• Outpatient counseling, both short-term and intensive.
• Self-help group therapies.
• Marriage and family counseling.

The VA also delivers specialized care if you struggle with related health conditions, like:⁷

• Depression.
• Post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD).

If no VA facilities are easily accessible for you, the VA funds treatment through its Community Care Network (CCN).⁹ This benefit allows you to access a facility outside the VA system, thus opening convenient options for Veterans.

Authorized community care providers (CCPs) are private-sector substance use treatment facilities where you can use VA rehab coverage. In such cases when a Veteran is unable to receive the care they need from the VA, authorized care at a community care provider is paid for by the VA.⁹

All the American Addiction Centers (AAC) are honored to be authorized community providers in this network.⁹

Other Veteran Benefits & Coverage

There are also other Veteran benefits and coverage options that can help pay for 90-day drug rehab programs.

TRICARE, a health insurance program for military service, provides comprehensive coverage for substance use treatment.¹⁰ Some of those eligible for TRICARE include:¹¹

• Armed Services members and their families.
• Survivors of deceased Armed Service members.
• National Guard/Reserve members and their families.
• Medal of Honor recipients and families.
• Former spouses.

If you are eligible, “Medicare covers certain screenings, services, and programs that aid in the treatment and recovery of mental health and substance use disorders.” Medicare Part A pays for inpatient care, while Part B helps cover outpatient services, and both have deductibles.¹²

Medigap (Medicare supplemental) plans vary, but most are meant to cover the cost “gap” left after Medicare coverage has been applied. These plans are sold by private companies. Medicare Advantage plans are different and require you to check your plan’s membership details. In some cases, coverage depends on your specific healthcare plan.¹³

Medicaid, operated by the states, could be a resource for funding treatment. Unlike private insurance and Medicare, there is no open enrollment period. You can enroll in Medicaid at any time. And you may qualify depending on your state and if you meet certain requirements such as having income below a certain threshold (requirements change annually).¹⁴

For peace of mind, the information you give providers is strictly confidential. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) imposes severe penalties for violating privacy.¹⁵ Also, there are no penalties within the VA for seeking help with your drug or alcohol issues, and treatment has no impact on Veteran health benefits.¹⁶

How Do I Find 90-Day Rehab Programs Near Me?

One of the best ways to find a 90-day rehab program near you is to call American Addiction Centers (AAC) at . An admissions navigator can tell you about any of our rehab facilities nationwide, and all our facilities have specialized programs for Veterans.

AAC facilities provide a full range of services—from intensive inpatient care to outpatient addiction treatment. An AAC admissions navigator can answer most questions about VA coverage for 90-day rehab treatment programs.

FAQs About 90-Day Rehab Programs