Heroin, Cocaine, & Meth Addiction Treatment & Insurance Coverage

Coverage for Heroin Detox

In 2012, the National Institute on Drug Abuse reports 467,000 people were abusing or dependent on heroin. The deadly drug has been responsible for many fatalities; CNN notes 8,260 deaths related to the drug in 2013.

The standard form of treatment for heroin detox is a long-term plan that involves slowly weaning the individual off the drug. Oftentimes, replacement medications, like buprenorphine or methadone, are used as part of this slow weaning process; however, each individual should be assessed on a case-by-case basis to determine the best form of detox.

Almost all insurance companies now offer coverage for this type of treatment. NIDA reports the average cost of treating someone with methadone for a full year is $4,700.
When the Affordable Care Act was signed into effect in 2010, change came with it. Insurance companies offering policies under the government healthcare reform structure are required to cover substance abuse treatment options. Brief interventions and long-term are covered, as well as clinical evaluations, medications to deter cravings, counseling, drug and alcohol screening tests, and medications used to treat addictions directly. The specific amount of coverage will depend on the individual’s particular plan.

While some facilities offer rapid detox as an effective method for facilitating withdrawal from opiates, studies and organizations that oversee addiction treatment practices don’t support or endorse these practices. Likewise, no insurance plans currently cover this type of treatment. AETNA Insurance confirms the lack of coverage for rapid detox under their plans since it is not proven to be effective. Without coverage, the cost of this type of treatment has been reported to be as high as $15,000, according to Fox News.

Cocaine Addiction Treatment & Insurance

Cocaine is still popular with many people who abuse illicit drugs. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration notes 7 percent of people admitted for treatment in 2012 cited cocaine as their primary drug of abuse.

The treatment process for cocaine addiction involves a combination of detox and continued care. There is no medication designed specifically to treat cocaine withdrawal.

Discomfort associated with the detox process can be alleviated through other medications, however, such as modafinil and vigabatrin. In a trial using tiagabine to reduce levels of cocaine abuse, there was a 33 percent increase in the number of individuals with cocaine-free urine samples at follow-up, while there was a 14 percent decrease among those in the control group, per a study in the journal Psychiatry. Disulfiram has shown the most promise in treating cocaine dependency, NIDA reports. Again, any medications used during detox are determined on a case-by-case basis.

Oftentimes, inpatient care is only covered if it is deemed medically necessary; this is most often the case if the individual has had prior outpatient rehab care that was not successful.

Most often, insurance companies will require that the annual deductible on the policy be met before paying out on any covered services. Treatment coverage is generally more widespread for individuals who opt for treatment at in-network provider facilities. If an out-of-network facility is chosen, some of the rehab costs may be covered, but the individual will generally be responsible for a greater portion of the total cost of treatment.

Determining coverage for medical detox and treatment for an addiction to cocaine can be tricky, but most treatment centers have professionals that help clients navigate the insurance coverage process.

Insurance Coverage for Methamphetamine Addiction Treatment

In 2012, around 7 percent of people who sought treatment for an addiction did so for methamphetamines or amphetamines, and of that group, 93 percent sought treatment for methamphetamines specifically, SAMHSA reports.

Treating an addiction to methamphetamines, like speed and crystal meth, begins in the same way as treatment for most other substances does.. Again, detox is just the first step, and it is approached through methods of managing symptoms rather than controlling the withdrawal process entirely. There is a protracted phase involved in detoxing from methamphetamines that can last several months after the initial detox period. Many individuals require additional medication and therapy during this time to cope with the symptoms. Without that care, they may be more prone to relapse.

Sedatives like Valium may be used to calm anxiety and paranoia during withdrawal. Likewise, antipsychotic drugs might be helpful to those clients who are struggling with psychosis. Some individuals who go through withdrawal from meth need some form of antidepressant to cope with the depression and sadness that set in. This symptom occurs as a result of neurotransmitters and dopamine receptors being depleted and failing to function correctly after a period of stimulant abuse.