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OSCAR HEALTH INSURANCE FOR DRUG & ALCOHOL REHAB

Optum Rehab Coverage

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Aside from Medicaid, Optum Health Insurance is a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, and as such, is one of the largest providers in the United States. While the group only provides employer-provided healthcare, it covers millions of patients across the United States. Optum used to be Apple Health Care. Today, it provides a mix of direct care and prevention, as well as behavioral health coverage through existing plans.

However, Optum is not upfront about what they cover or why. That normally has to do with the terms negotiated by your employer and what plan you’re on. Therefore, you’ll have to check with your employer to see how much coverage you get, understand what your copay is, and look into your options.

Does Optum Health Insurance Cover Drug and Alcohol Treatment?

Yes. Optum Health Insurance provides partial reimbursement for all medical conditions you receive treatment for when it is in-network and referred by a doctor. Additionally, all health insurance providers are required by law to offer at least partial coverage for rehabilitation and addiction treatment under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This means that regardless of your plan, you will receive some coverage. However, that can vary significantly depending on where and how you go.

What Types of Drug and Alcohol Rehab Does Optum Health Cover?

Optum Health is a prevention-focused organization. This means that Optum recovery services cover preventive care, addiction treatment, and aftercare.

Normally this means:


Inpatient Treatment

Optum Health will cover a portion of your inpatient stay with a residential addiction treatment facility, provided the clinic is in Optum’s network. Additionally, Optum offers these health services directly, which means you may be able to visit an Optum clinic to save on costs.

Outpatient Treatment

Optum Health covers a percentage of outpatient treatment, including intensive outpatient programs (IOPs). However, actual coverage will depend on your plan and whether you’re going to an in-network provider.

Complimentary Treatment

If your treatment provider recommends complementary mental health treatments such as exercise, stress reduction therapy, or similar, Optum will cover them.

Medication

Optum supports medication-assisted treatment, meaning you can have it covered by your insurance company.

Detox

Optum will cover doctor-recommended stays in a detox clinic, including medical monitoring.

Therapy

Optum will cover additional therapy and psychotherapy as part of your plan.

Aftercare

You can get coverage for doctor-referred aftercare, including ongoing treatment and sober-home stays.

Essentially, providing you find an in-network provider, Optum will cover nearly any treatment option you might want.

female client during psychotherapy with a psychologist

What Do You Pay With Optum Health Insurance Carrier?

Your Optum Health Insurance plans will entirely depend on your employer’s plan and what you’ve opted into. This means there’s no way to determine what you are paying or what is covered without logging into your HR portal. Here, chances are, you can simply check coverage in an email or in an HR portal without talking to anyone.

However, if you can’t find that information, it’s important to keep in mind that you can always ask human resources for a list of deductibles and coverage provided by your plan. Your employer cannot ask you what it is for, and they will not be able to see what you’re getting treatment for.

You will want to know:


  • Your plan
  • Your deductible
  • If it qualifies for your HSA
  • If you can go to out of network providers
  • What the in-network list is

You’ll also want to know who you can call for things like preauthorization or if your doctor has to submit that for you. In most cases, everything you need should be available on a single fact sheet or in a single portal, or in your contract with Optum, which may be Apple if you have an older contract. Check these details, make sure they are up to date, and then follow through that way.

If you have an employer-provided health plan from Optum, chances are, you can contact them and see what your coverage is. You might also have a copy of the plan. However, as AppleCare joined Optum in 2010, you might have an old AppleCare contract. In this case, you’ll want to verify your coverage with your employer and request a copy of your new contract.

How to Start Addiction Treatment With Optum Rehab Coverage

Once you know what your insurance provider covers, you can take steps to get coverage. This means:

  • Finding a rehab clinic and confirming that they accept Optum Insurance
  • Confirming that your rehab clinic is in network for Optum
  • Getting a referral from your primary care doctor
  • Having your doctor request pre-authorization

From there, everything else will be covered, just like if you attend any other medical treatment. However, it is important to keep in mind that deductibles for inpatient care are normally quite a bit higher, which might mean that you pay a significant amount of out-of-pocket costs. If you have an Optum HSA to match, you will most likely be able to draw from that savings account as well.

male client with mental health expert during treatment program

You’ll always need the doctor’s referral. However, you’ll never have to tell your employer, you’ll never need your employer’s sign-off or approval, and they should never ask what you’re getting medical treatment for.

man-during-therapy-session-from-rehab-center

Getting Help & Support

If you or a loved one is struggling with substance use disorder, getting help means going to treatment and getting therapy. Your insurance provider is required by law to offer coverage. However, Optum’s actual coverage can vary a great deal depending on which clinic you go to. For example, an out-of-network provider will not likely be covered. On the other hand, if you go to an in-network provider, get outpatient care, and have a doctor’s referral, you might get up to 90% coverage depending on your plan. Therefore, you’ll always want to check your employer-negotiated terms as a starting point and check your options from there. Additionally, total costs and deductibles will likely be lower if you choose alcoholism treatment with Optum insurance.

Good luck getting treatment. Hopefully, this information on Optum’s coverage helps you find a rehab center that meets your needs and promotes overall wellness. Log in to the patient portal or call the phone number to speak with their care team in real-time for more information. 

Are you ready to get started on your journey to long-term recovery? Learn More About Optum rehab coverage by contacting our admissions team at (888) 450-2701 to speak with a treatment expert today.

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Medical Disclaimer: Nothing on this Website is intended to be taken in place of medical advice. Before making any decisions regarding your health, please consult your doctor. The staff at Stairway Resource Center develops a custom treatment plan for each of our patients. Specific medical advice will be provided to our patients by our professional providers while in our care.