Payment Options for Veteran Rehab

The cost of addiction treatment should never stand between a Veteran and recovery. Multiple financial resources exist specifically for Veterans, service members, and their families to make rehab accessible and affordable.

This guide covers every major way to pay for addiction treatment as a Veteran, including VA healthcare benefits, the MISSION Act, TRICARE, private insurance, and additional assistance programs. If you are unsure where to start, call to speak with an AAC admissions navigator who can walk you through your options and verify your insurance over the phone.

VA Healthcare Benefits for Rehab

We will explore the various healthcare benefits provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for addiction and mental health services.

• VA Medical Center Services: The VA operates medical centers across the country that offer a wide range of addiction and mental health treatment programs for eligible Veterans. Depending on your service-connected disability status, you may be eligible for free or discounted rehab services at these centers.
• VA Choice Program: The VA Choice Program enables Veterans to seek medical services, including rehab, from approved non-VA facilities when VA centers are unavailable, inaccessible, or face long waiting times. This program covers a portion of the treatment costs for eligible Veterans.
• VA Community Care Network: Through the VA Community Care Network, Veterans can access care from community-based providers. This program provides flexibility in choosing the right rehab facility while taking care of the expenses for eligible Veterans.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides comprehensive substance use disorder treatment for enrolled Veterans. If you have not yet enrolled in VA healthcare, you can apply online at VA.gov.

What VA Benefits Cover

Depending on your eligibility, service-connected disability status, and income level, VA benefits may cover all or most of the following:

• Medical detoxification
• Inpatient and residential rehabilitation
• Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs)
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs)
• Standard outpatient counseling
• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid and alcohol use disorders
• Individual, group, and family therapy
• Telehealth addiction counseling
• Aftercare planning and relapse prevention

Veterans with service-connected disabilities may be eligible for free treatment with no copays. Other enrolled Veterans may have copays based on their priority group assignment. Contact us at   or visit your local VA medical center to learn about your specific benefits.

VA Medical Centers

The VA operates more than 1,300 healthcare facilities across the country, including hospitals, community-based outpatient clinics, and specialized substance use treatment programs. You can locate the nearest VA facility using the VA facility locator.

TRICARE Coverage for Veteran Rehab

TRICARE is the health insurance program for active-duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, military retirees, and their families. TRICARE covers substance use disorder treatment at several levels of care.

What TRICARE Covers

• Inpatient Rehab. TRICARE covers inpatient and residential treatment for substance use and mental health disorders. Prior authorization is typically required.
• Outpatient Treatment. Standard outpatient, intensive outpatient (IOP), and partial hospitalization programs (PHP) are covered. Many programs offer evening and weekend sessions.
• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT). TRICARE covers medications for opioid and alcohol use disorders, including buprenorphine, naltrexone, and methadone.
• Mental Health Services. Therapy, counseling, and psychiatric care for co-occurring conditions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

AAC accepts TRICARE insurance at its facilities. To determine your specific coverage, call or verify your benefits online.

Private Health Insurance for Veteran Rehab

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), all ACA-compliant health insurance plans are required to cover substance use disorder treatment as an essential health benefit. This includes employer-sponsored plans and marketplace plans.

Veterans with private insurance can use it at AAC facilities. Commonly accepted providers include:

• Aetna
• Anthem
• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Cigna
• Humana
• United Healthcare / Optum
• Molina Healthcare
• Tufts Health Plan

Coverage varies by plan. Your out-of-pocket costs may include an annual deductible, per-visit copayments, or a coinsurance percentage. Verify your insurance benefits online or call to get a detailed breakdown of what your plan covers.

Grants and Scholarships for Veteran Rehab

There are various grants and scholarships available to Veterans to help with rehab expenses.

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Grants: SAMHSA offers grants to support Veterans’ access to substance abuse and mental health treatment services. These grants are distributed to state agencies, treatment centers, and community organizations, which, in turn, may provide financial assistance to Veterans in need.
• The Soldiers Project: The Soldiers Project is a non-profit organization that offers free and confidential counseling to Veterans and their families. They may also provide financial assistance for rehab services, depending on availability.

The MISSION Act and VA Community Care

The MISSION Act (Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act) replaced the Veterans Choice Program in June 2019. It allows eligible Veterans to receive healthcare, including addiction treatment, from approved community care providers when the VA cannot provide timely or accessible care.

When You May Be Eligible for Community Care

You may qualify for care through a community provider if:

• The VA does not offer the service you need
• The VA cannot schedule an appointment within the designated wait-time standards
• You live too far from a VA facility (based on average drive time, not mileage)
• It is in your best medical interest to receive care from a community provider
• A VA provider has referred you to a community care specialist

To get started, schedule a mental health consultation at your local VA. The VA will determine your eligibility and, if approved, authorize community care. This process typically takes about 3 weeks, but varies by location.

AAC as a VA Community Care Network Provider

American Addiction Centers is an approved VA Community Care Network provider. Eligible Veterans can use their VA benefits at AAC facilities across the country. AAC’s admissions navigators, available at , can guide you through the authorization process step by step.

What Can Affect the Cost of Veteran Rehab?

There are a number of factors which may impact the final cost of rehab for Veterans. Some factors include the level of treatment needed, such as inpatient or outpatient treatment. An additional factor may be the length of stay which is required, as longer stays in treatment will push the cost up further. It’s important to consult with a therapist or medical professional who is able to assess which program is best suited to your needs.

Other factors that may contribute to increased costs include:

• Rehab facility
• Co-pay
• Deductible
• Individual insurance plan
• Location of facility

Other Payment Options for Veteran Rehab

There are a number of additional ways outside of the ones mentioned above that can help you cover the cost of treatment for Veteran rehab. These may include:

• Private pay: This involves using your savings to pay for Veteran treatment. Some facilities may offer a discount for cash payments. Ensure you communicate to the treatment provider your method of payment beforehand.
• Payment plans: If you don’t have cash readily available, some treatment centers may arrange a payment plan, which allows you more time to pay in cash.
• Loans: You may attempt to obtain a loan from the bank, a credit card loan, or even a loan through friends or family to help pay the upfront costs for Veteran treatment.
• GoFundMe: You could raise money through fundraising on the platform GoFundMe.