Insurance Coverage for Outpatient Addiction Treatment

Does Health Insurance Cover Outpatient Rehab?

Generally, yes. Many health insurance carriers cover the full or partial cost of outpatient addiction treatment. Close to 10,000 rehab centers across the country offer outpatient addiction treatment, and a great deal of these treatment centers, including American Addiction Centers (AAC), accept payments from insurance companies. However, not all health insurance policies are the same and they may vary in their coverage and benefits. It is a good idea to speak with a staff member or financial counselor at the treatment center you have chosen to determine your specific levels of coverage and how to make your treatment experience as affordable as possible.

How to Check Outpatient Rehab Coverage

American Addition Centers maintains a strong partnership with a large group of insurance companies at our outpatient addiction treatment programs. Call Our admissions navigators can talk to you about treatment options and verify your health insurance coverage over the phone. Alternatively, you may complete our online insurance verification form below.

There are a number of rehab options available to individuals affected by substance use disorder, and quite a few ways to facilitate making rehab possible, too.

In 2022, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reported 48.7 million people needed help for drug or alcohol misuse, and just 13.1 million of those people got that help.¹ Many failed to seek help or were left without access to it due to a lack of insurance coverage.

Fortunately, more insurance policies are covering addiction treatment. Still, even those policies that offer coverage may not offer the type of coverage an individual requires. It’s important to verify coverage before committing to a specific treatment plan, because insurance coverage does frequently come with limitations.

What Is Outpatient Addiction Treatment?

Outpatient treatment for addiction means that an individual travels to a rehab facility or clinic on a regular basis for care and then returns home afterward. Clients don’t stay overnight or live at a residential facility.

Outpatient care is most frequently recommended for individuals who need to continue with family or work responsibilities outside of treatment, and it is generally only an option for those who are considered to be low-risk patients. Since they return home each night and do not receive the 24/7 supervision available with inpatient care, the risk of relapse for those in outpatient care may be higher. As a result, outpatient treatment is not recommended for those with severe or long-term addictions.

A typical addiction treatment experience may include:

Paying for Outpatient Care

Many who seek outpatient care pay for treatment costs with health insurance. All plans offered under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) must cover substance use disorder treatment, but the specific amount covered is variable.² Certain plans might have higher monthly premiums, but they cover treatment at or close to 100 percent. Others may only cover 70-80 percent of the costs, but monthly premiums are lower.

The cost of outpatient care is typically more expensive than inpatient treatment. It usually costs more to live onsite and seek treatment around the clock than to attend offsite treatment for five days a week for a few hours. As a result, far more treatment centers offer outpatient care than inpatient care.

Coverage options can vary a great deal from one insurance plan to the next. It’s a good idea to work with an insurance representative at the treatment center you’re interested in to make sure the full scope of treatment is covered by your policy.

Outpatient treatment is a broad term, and some policies may not cover certain programs, such as holistic treatment options, exercise programs, and alternative therapies. It’s also wise for individuals to reach out to their insurance companies before enrolling in treatment anywhere and ask a few vital questions, such as:

• Are there any specific drug treatment services or medications that aren’t covered?
• How much of the bill is the insured party responsible for?
• Is anything still owed on the deductible?
• What duration of treatment will be covered?
• Which facilities are in-network?

If an individual’s policy doesn’t offer sufficient addiction coverage, there are other payment options. A lot of facilities extend payment plan options to clients who need financial assistance.

More Topics on Paying for Treatment

How Can I Find Outpatient Treatment Near Me?

If you or a loved one are ready to start the path to recovery, you can find outpatient care in different ways, including:

• Scheduling an appointment with your primary care doctor to discuss your treatment needs and obtain any necessary referrals.
• Searching our nationwide network of facilities and/or our outpatient location directory to find treatment across the country.
• Contacting your health insurance provider to check your insurance coverage and inquire about treatment providers.

If you have questions, we’re here to help. Contact one of our caring admissions navigators at to learn more about outpatient drug treatment.