[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”] [et_pb_row admin_label=”row”] [et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”]
People struggling with substance use disorder have myriad questions before they choose to seek treatment. Generally, most employees are unaware of the benefits they have from their employers. For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield Employee Assistance Program offers extensive coverage for those to qualify. Other common concerns include: Do I have to check into a drug rehab facility? Will my Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance pay for addiction treatment? What will happen to my family? What about my job? These are all valid concerns to have before entering a drug rehab center. But, the most important thing to remember is no matter what, seeking treatment is paramount.
If you have insurance through an employer, odds are your policy covers drug addiction. Take, for example, the BCBS Employee Assistance Program covers both mental health and substance use addiction. Continue reading and learn everything you need to know about the Blue Cross Blue Shield Employee Assistance Program.
What Are Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Survey of Drug Use and Health, addiction impacts approximately 164.8 million people in the United States who stated substance use in the past month. It is also important to mention that the statistics show that 1 in 5 people reported using illicit drugs in the past thirty days. Additionally, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration summarizes that in 2018, close to 47.6 million adults aged 18 and older struggled with a co-occurring mental health illness and a drug or alcohol addiction. As a result, employers must have resources available for their employees to receive quality drug and alcohol rehab treatment when they need it.
In general, the idea of employee assistance programs is to address intricate issues affecting mental and emotional well-being. In particular, these issues pertain to alcohol and drug abuse, as well as psychological disorders. Hopefully, these programs, which request employees drug tests, can help employers keep their workplace drug-free. But at the same time, offer employees and their family members the support and guidance they need to maintain a healthy lifestyle and promote their overall well-being.
However, the perks also benefit employees. Through these voluntary and confidential programs, counseling, and referrals to addiction treatment centers happens without your employer knowing about it. EAP programs must be entirely confidential, and someone cannot be fired for seeking treatment through these programs.
EAP Benefits
Not all companies offer insurance with EAP coverage, but working for one that does has many benefits, including:
- A safe and confidential environment to discuss addiction
- Access to assistance programs with hotlines available 24/7
- Access to support resources to address substance abuse
- Assistance reintegrating back into the workforce upon completion of treatment
Blue Cross Blue Shield Employee Assistance Program 101
BCBS EAPs are available to companies with ten or more eligible employees. Through their New Directions partnership, they can offer assistance to employees who face life challenges and need help balancing their health, careers, and personal lives.
Some of the benefits of the BCBS EAP solutions include:
- 24/7 access to behavioral health care with a dedicated helpline
- Crisis management services with short-term counseling opportunities
- Full-service and coverage for spouses or domestic partners, as well as children under the age of 26
- Continuous education and training for managers and supervisors
- Access to ongoing consultations with account liaisons and managers
The idea is to offer care and support that addresses employees’ mental, emotional, and behavioral challenges, helping them focus on their job and excel in their careers.
Understanding Drug Use and Health Care
The relationship between health insurance and drug addiction is relatively new. It wasn’t until the late 80s that drug rehab centers started accepting health insurance. For decades, addiction treatment centers operated as a service-fee operation, only cash payments, which restricted the access to many people struggling with substance use disorder.
After Obamacare, healthcare coverage changed how insurance companies saw mental illness and substance abuse, categorizing them as essential health benefits. Once this happened, insurance plans had to offer some form of addiction and mental health coverage. Not to mention, it also lifted the denial of coverage for any preexisting condition, including drug addiction.
Perhaps the most significant change in drug addiction treatment coverage was that it established parity for substance use disorders. Mostly, the scope, treatment, care management, and cost of addiction treatments can’t be more limiting than for any other illness. As s a result, Blue Cross Blue Shield Employee Assistance Program now provides employees access to quality drug rehab centers such as ours.
Drug Addiction Treatment Options
Those struggling with substance use disorder have many treatment options to help with their illness. At Lighthouse Recovery Institute, we don’t believe in cookie-cutter programs. Instead, we offer personalized and comprehensive treatment programs that integrate evidence-based behavioral therapies and other structures to help people overcome their drug or alcohol addiction.
Drug Treatment Programs
Detox Programs: The first step of most addiction treatments start with a detox program to help users guard off the use of substances in a safe and controlled environment.
Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP): The detox process can be uncomfortable and, in occasions dangerous, a PHP setting allows patients to have clinical supervision during this process.
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP): A flexible treatment program that includes in-clinic visits but doesn’t require patients to check into a facility, often recommended for those with family or work responsibilities.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment: Often, addiction isn’t the only diagnosis; most people with substance use disorder struggle with chronic pain or mental illnesses that require treatment.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): To reduce the side effects and struggles of withdrawal, medication-assisted treatments (MAT) help addicts walk towards recovery under supervision.
Long-Term Recovery Assistance: The journey of recovery is never-ending; long-term assistance is crucial to maintain sobriety in the long run.
Drug Treatment Services
However, treatments for drugs don’t end when someone leaves a facility or only addresses the addict. The different family treatment services that take part are just as essential.
Family Therapy: Often, family members with substance abuse struggles are broken and need the right guidance to regain trust and rebuild relationships.
Life Skills Development: Addicts can sometimes have a hard time re-entering society; building life skills helps them develop the abilities they need to reintegrate seamlessly.
Relapse Prevention: Relapse triggers will be all over, working on relapse prevention skills is paramount for long-term sobriety.
Group Therapy: Most patients enter some group therapy setting after treatment, whether a 12-step program or any other group meeting therapy that best suits their needs.
Does My Insurance Cover Drug Addiction Treatment?
Generally, BCBS Insurance covers drug rehab. However, each insurance policy is unique and has diverse coverage levels. The most secure and quickest method to learn if your Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance covers drug rehab is by reaching out directly to our drug treatment center.
To find out if your insurance covers drug and alcohol addiction treatment, contact us today and speak with our admission specialists to verify your coverage.
Get Help Today
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, please know addiction treatment is more accessible than you believe. Please discuss with your HR department to learn more about your Blue Cross Blue Shield Employee Assistance Program coverage. Remember that these discussions are legally confidential, and they cannot cost you your position at the company.
Most employees are surprised to learn the flexibility and assistance companies offer to help people get addiction treatment. Your well-being is their priority, and through EAPs coverage, they can help you find the right treatment plan.
At Lighthouse Recovery Institute, our addiction therapists will analyze your unique case and build a treatment program that accommodates your needs. Thanks to our comprehensive and personalized approach to addiction treatment, we can reduce the risk of relapse and assist people like you or your loved one to obtain long-term sobriety. Don’t wait another day; addiction treatment is available and can save your life. Begin your journey to recovery now.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column] [/et_pb_row] [/et_pb_section]
