Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico – Drug and Alcohol Rehab
The History of Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico
Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico has been committed to the health needs of the state’s populace since 1940. It is one of the largest commercial health insurers in the state with over 628,000 card members as of 2019. Its primary mission is to promote health and wellness within the community. It has accomplished this task over the years by offering a variety of health care plans customized for individuals, families, and corporate groups. It has also developed innovative products designed to cater to the different needs of its communities and members.
Signs You May Need Rehab
It is clear that you need rehab if you want or have tried to stop using drugs or alcohol on your own but can’t no matter how hard you try. You don’t have to go on that journey alone. Many professional treatment facilities provide services to help. However, you don’t have to be physically addicted to drugs or alcohol to seek help. If your behavior causes adverse effects on your life or those around you, it may be time for rehab. Some signs that you may need rehab are the following:
- Experiencing health problems from drug or alcohol use
- Driving while intoxicated
- Being asked to stop by family or friends
- Having withdrawal symptoms
- Being arrested while under the influence
- Hurting yourself or others while under the influence
- Losing job/home/kids
- Lying about use
- Making drug or alcohol use a priority
Do Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical Plans Cover Drug and Alcohol Rehab?
Chemical dependency treatment services are covered under the medical program. The treatment must be deemed medically necessary, and it must not be considered experimental, investigational, or unproven. The treatment must be reasonably expected to have results that are significant and sustainable. The treatment must be consistent with the member’s symptoms and diagnosis. The treatment must also be provided at the least restrictive level of care.
Services include individual and group therapy that focuses on solutions as part of an inpatient or outpatient treatment program. Services also include participation in an alcoholism treatment program administered by licensed medical professionals.
How Does Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico Rehab Coverage Work?
Members must obtain authorization for coverage before using any services, or they risk a reduction or denial of their benefits. Professionals must provide the services, and the appropriate state and local authorities must license all facilities. These services include outpatient and inpatient alcoholism and drug addiction treatment centers.
Inpatient Treatment Centers
An approved inpatient residential treatment center offers a clearly-defined course of therapeutic intervention or special programming in a controlled environment. The treatment includes intense attention and support from a variety of professionals, including psychologists, doctors, and nurses that are available 24 hours a day. Patients are medically monitored during their stay to ensure their safety and well-being. Depending on the patient’s health, treatment may or may not include the administration of medication to ease the side effects of withdrawal. Some facilities may offer specialized treatment services such as acupuncture, yoga, exercise, and meditation.
Outpatient Treatment Centers
An intensive outpatient program offers more flexibility than an inpatient facility. A member will have different options to choose from ranging in intensity from individual counseling to group therapy sessions. A member can continue to live at home, attend school, and care for his/her children while getting the help he/she needs. Therapy can be done according to a patient’s schedule, which can include nights and weekends. The cost of an outpatient treatment center can be considerably less than a residential treatment center, but the services provided are less intense, there may be fewer sessions, and the risk for relapse is higher.
What is Detox?
Medical detox is considered the first step in a drug or alcohol recovery program. It’s essential to rid the body of drugs and alcohol before counseling, and other treatment methods begin. Drug and alcohol treatment centers provide medical supervision as a patient goes through the process of overcoming the physical dependency during this crucial phase of treatment. Professionals will use FDA-approved medications and other techniques to ease the process and safely manage any side effects.
It’s common to experience withdrawal symptoms, many of which can be dangerous. Depending on the substance the patient is withdrawing from and his/her medical background, the symptoms can range from anxiety, agitation, and mood swings to vomiting, hallucinations, and even seizures. The treatment center will individualize a patient’s detox plan to control the withdrawal symptoms.
An alternative to medical detox is social detox. It does not include the use of medications. Instead, it relies on a patient receiving emotional care in a supportive environment while going through withdrawal.
Why Do We Need Rehab Coverage?
Addiction is a disease. It is a complex disease like diabetes, asthma, and cancer. It’s been called the relapsed disease because it can’t be cured. It can, however, be treated to the point where a person can live a healthy and productive life.
Not everyone who drinks alcohol or uses drugs becomes addicted. People with a family history of addiction, mental health issues, or a history of early drug use are more susceptible to becoming addicts. When ingested, alcohol, and drugs make a person feel good by targeting his/her brain’s reward system. The brain becomes flooded with dopamine, which triggers an intense feeling of pleasure. The brain gets used to the extra dopamine, and a person wants to ingest more and more of the substance to feel good.
The physiological changes in the brain affect a person’s self-control and ability to resist the urge to ingest more. Unfortunately, the changes can persist throughout a person’s life, which makes rehab coverage all the more critical.
Get The Help You Deserve Today
With Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico, get the help you or a loved one needs. Members can use the provider directory to find a facility today.
