Placement in a drug rehabilitation center is costly, and some people can’t afford it. Luckily, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota works to help their members cover these costs.

Should You Seek Rehab Services?

The chances are high that you know someone who has struggled with substance abuse. There are over 22 million Americans in need of treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Unfortunately, less than one percent of those affected receive help. If you can answer yes to any of the following questions, you should seek help for your addiction:

  • Have you ever driven while under the influence of drugs or alcohol?
  • Has a doctor warned you that your addiction causes some of your health problems?
  • Have your friends and family asked you to stop?
  • Have you experienced withdrawal symptoms when you have been without your drug of choice?
  • Have you been arrested due to drugs or alcohol?
  • Have you harmed yourself or others while under the influence, or when trying to buy or receive the drugs?
  • Have you lost your job or been kicked out of school due to your substance abuse?
  • Have you tried to quit using the substance but have never been able to quit 100%?
  • Have you lied about your drug use, such as the frequency and amount you are taking it?
  • Have you wanted to quit but not been able to?

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota cover drug and alcohol rehab?

If you are a member of Blue Cross Blue Shield of ND and need help for your drug addiction, you’re in luck. Although there are several options available to Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota members, every plan includes help for drug or other substance abuse addiction. Depending on your plan, you may have to pay a deductible or a certain percentage of coinsurance, but the majority of your rehab will be paid for.

History of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota

During the Great Depression, many people didn’t seek out health care. After the Depression had ended, many residents of North Dakota still could not pay for health care. Many hospitals were struggling so bad financially that they were in danger of closing down. In March of 1940, the idea of a prepaid healthcare plan was introduced to the state. Blue Cross Blue Shield of ND was born.

The North Dakota Hospital Association was organized by various leaders in the community, with support from both of the current hospitals in Fargo, St. Luke’s and St. John’s. It began operating in the First National Bank building with 9,000 participants enrolled. The North Dakota Physicians Service, a plan from Blue Shield, was introduced six years later. Its purpose was to pay the patient’s cost for the physicians’ services and not just the cost for the hospital services. As time went on, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota continued to expand the services they provided.

Why Rehab Coverage is Important

Addiction is a chronic disease, and just as we would treat diabetes or congestive heart failure, we need to offer comprehensive care for addiction. Addiction changes the way our brains work. To rewire, this takes time and a lot of professional help. Unlike strep throat, you can’t just take a pill and be cured of addiction. The longer the addiction has lasted, the harder it is to cure.

To beat an addiction, comprehensive and professional rehabilitation needs to be offered. Every aspect of addiction has to be addressed for the patient to fully healed. One part of addiction is often financial. Financial stress is what has led some people into addiction. The financial burden has also kept some people in this addiction because they have found themselves trapped in a cycle of debt. By offering rehab coverage through a person’s health insurance, they can be assured that they will not need to worry about the cost of rehab. Leaving rehab early can be very detrimental to a person’s recovery. Therefore, it is vital that while an addict is healing, they should not need to worry about paying for their treatment.

How does Blue Cross Blue Shield of ND Work in Regards to Rehab?

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota offers three different tiers of insurance coverage. These tiers are referred to as bronze, silver, and gold and indicate the amount you pay in the form of premiums and deductibles. A bronze plan offers a meager premium, which is the amount you pay each month. However, the deductible may be somewhat high, which is the amount you must pay before the insurance kicks in. There may also be a certain percentage that you have to pay, called a coinsurance. Gold plans offer low deductibles with a higher monthly premium. Silver falls in the middle of these two options. Within these tiers, there are also different plans. To determine your total cost for the rehab treatment, including all coinsurance payments, call the number on the back of your card.

What is Detox?

Detox is a shortened form of the word detoxification. It is when your body is ridding itself of a substance. There are all kinds of healthy detoxes on the market that claim to flush toxins out of your body. Medical detox is when your body is getting rid of a foreign substance, such as drugs or alcohol. While this may seem like a good thing, detox can cause severe symptoms in addicts. Usually, doctors will have you slowly wean off habit-forming prescription medications. With a detox, you no longer receive the substance you have been using. Side effects can include nausea, fevers, seizures, and severe anxiety.

Medically assisted detox is safe and is the only method recommended. Professionals will continuously monitor you and assist you in whatever ways they are able. Some medications may help the side effects of detox.

What is Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment?

The primary difference between inpatient and outpatient treatment is that one is done in a hospital or rehab center, while the other takes place at home with regular doctor visits. During an outpatient drug rehab treatment, patients can stay in their own homes and keep going to work or school. They will have weekly meetings, usually AA or NA, and will be held accountable if they relapse during this time. Typically, patients can only receive outpatient treatment if they have completed detox, and the healthcare professionals feel they will not immediately go back to their addiction.

Inpatient treatment usually is used for severe cases. It is an intense treatment that generally lasts between 30 and 90 days. The patient is placed in a safe environment where they are monitored for 24 hours a day. They have no access to drugs or alcohol. Daily therapy is required. Other classes and meetings may be necessary, as well. The patient will not be able to go to work or school during treatment and cannot go home until treatment is completed.

Inpatient treatment is more expensive but often effective. Your insurance plan may have different thresholds for outpatient and inpatient rehab costs.

It’s time to stop the cycle of addiction. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Treatment is possible and attainable. Give us a call today so we can help you get started on your journey to a better tomorrow.