Drug use and drug-related deaths are on the rise in the entire country, and Ohio is no exception. The drug problem has gotten so bad in Ohio that it had the second-highest rate of opioid-related deaths in America in 2017. Before 2007, motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of injurious death in Ohio. From 2007 to the present, unintentional drug poisoning surpassed motor vehicle deaths. Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Ohio is dedicated to helping its members beat the addiction cycle once and for all.

What is Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Ohio?

In 2004, Wellpoint Health Networks and Anthem merged to become Anthem, Inc. Anthem, Inc, with all of its affiliates, is one of the largest health insurance providers in America. In Ohio, it is the trade name of Community Insurance Company. Anthem is an independent licensee of Blue Cross Blue Shield in Ohio.

Does Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Ohio Cover the Costs of Drug Rehab?

As part of the Affordable Care Act, Anthem is required to cover rehab costs. Anthem believes that mental and physical health go hand in hand. In that spirit, they also include comprehensive services for mental and behavioral health. Depending on the type of plan you have, you may have to cover some costs in the form of copays and coinsurances. You may also have to meet a specific deductible before the plan includes the rest of the cost of treatment. Contact your provider for more details.

Why is Rehab Coverage so Important?

On average, 14.6 deaths per 100,000 people occur every day due to drug abuse. In Ohio, that rate is 39.2 deaths per 100,000. With more than double the national average, Ohio is in desperate need of help for drug addiction and recovery. When an addict feels they cannot afford treatment, they will not seek out treatment options. By offering coverage through health insurance, the door is opened to get every addict the help he or she needs.

How Does Anthem BCBS of Ohio Work?

Depending on your specific plan, there may be a preauthorization required before accessing rehab and mental health benefits. Your provider may also need a review. Precertification usually is required for all inpatient admissions. It may also be needed for intensive outpatient treatment programs. Residential care and hospitalizations due to mental health or substance abuse may also require precertification.

You will be assigned a Behavioral Health Care Manager if you require mental or behavioral health services. The manager will coordinate with the treatment facilities to receive precertification. If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact your manager, and they should be able to help you.

What is Detox?

You will not feel well going through detox. When your body is accustomed to ingesting an addictive substance, it will react violently to no longer having this substance. Shaking, fevers, nausea, hallucinations, anxiety, and depression are all common side effects of detox. The worse period of detox will be the first couple of days. With the increased chance of anxiety and depression, suicide risk is high and a genuine threat. It is never recommended to go through detox on your own. Medically supervised detox is a necessity. When you are in a hospital or treatment facility during detox, you will be closely monitored. There are medications available to help you with some of the worst side effects.

3 Major Red Flags That a Person Needs Treatment

The nature of addiction leads to denial. Most addicts cannot admit they are addicted to the point of needing treatment. They need friends or family members to point them towards the need for treatment. In many cases, the addict ends up in the hospital or courtroom before they finally submit to treatment. Here are signs to watch for if you suspect someone you know is struggling with addiction:

  • Driving while intoxicated. If your loved one is driving while under the influence, this is a major red flag. With certain substances, a person feels invincible and does not even realize they should not be driving. The danger of driving while under the influence is so high that this requires immediate intervention.
  • They are lying about drug use. When you see your loved one drink five beers in a row, and then they told you they only had one, this is a red flag. People who enjoy drinks on a social or somewhat regular basis do not feel the need to lie about it. Lying about drug use is a sign that subconsciously, the user knows they are overdoing it.
  • Legal troubles. Tickets for DUIs, stealing, domestic assault, and public intoxication are all major red flags that treatment is necessary. Sometimes a judge will even order inpatient treatment when the addict has had several run-ins with the law.

Other signs a person needs treatment include dropping out of school, losing their job, withdrawing socially and exhibiting symptoms of anxiety or depression. Finding drug paraphernalia is, of course, proof that someone is using, but with some drugs, there is little to see. Don’t depend on finding tangible evidence if you suspect your loved one needs help. Try to talk to them first, but if they don’t listen, you may need to enlist others to help you.

Do You Need Inpatient or Outpatient Treatment?

Outpatient treatment means that you stay home while completing your treatment. Inpatient treatment means you stay in a rehab center while recovering from your addiction. Many addicts try outpatient treatment first. Here are four signs you may need inpatient treatment instead:

  • You can’t quit using it. If you can’t stay sober no matter how hard you try, you need inpatient treatment. It’s more comfortable to stay at home and continue going to work or school. However, addiction is often steeped in the habit. When you are in your familiar routine, habits are hard to break. To make that final break, you may need inpatient treatment.
  • Continual treatment with no improvement. If you have tried outpatient treatment many times without success, it’s time to seek inpatient treatment. Many addicts have reported that they could not entirely beat their addiction until they entered inpatient treatment. It is a more intense treatment and provides a way out for addicts who just can’t quit using.
  • You have a mental illness. An addiction can cause mental illness, but mental illness can also cause addiction. Depression, anxiety, and other behavioral health illnesses are familiar with addiction. When an addict also has a mental illness, it is referred to as a dual diagnosis. To effectively treat both the addiction and the mental illness, you need the great help offered by an inpatient program.
  • Your home environment is not supportive. Without proper support at home, outpatient treatment has little chance of working. The people you live with have to be okay with ridding the house of any temptations. If you go home from your AA meeting to a house filled with people drinking, the chance of giving in and drinking with them is high. In these situations, inpatient treatment is a must.

Get Help Today

Agents from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Ohio can answer any questions you have about what costs are covered. Give them a call today to get on the road to recovery.