People avoid addiction treatment for many reasons. Unfortunately, one of the reasons people skip substance use disorder treatment comes down to money and affordability. However, not everyone knows that insurance companies often cover addiction treatment costs.
One insurance company that includes addiction treatment coverage is SelectHealth, usually under an Employee Assistance Program. Please keep reading to learn more about the SelectHealth Employee Assistance Program and its benefits.
What Are Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
The National Institute on Drug Abuse publishes its yearly National Survey of Drug Use and Health. In its 2018 report, they observed that addiction affects 164.8 million people in the United States. Close to 1 in 5 people aged 12 and older reported using illicit drugs. Additionally, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that 47.6 million people aged 18 and older struggle with co-occurring mental health illness.
Primarily, employee assistance programs exist to address employees’ complex emotional, mental, and physical well-being. The idea is to target particular problems such as alcohol and drug abuse, psychological disorders, and other ailments in a safe and private environment. While these programs’ main reason is to help employers keep their workplace drug-free, they also provide value to employees.
EAP Benefits
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are entirely confidential. Generally, they provide access to counseling, wellness businesses, and referrals to addiction treatment facilities in a safe and trusting environment.
Not all companies offer insurance with EAP coverage, but those who do get access to:
- Safe and confidential well-being consultations and discussions
- Assistance programs with helplines available 24/7
- Support resources to address substance abuse and mental health
- Assistance reintegrating back into the workforce after drug rehab
SelectHealth Employee Assistance Program 101
SelectHealth offers what they call the Intermountain Employee Assistance Program. The benefit covers employees, spouses or domestic partners, and dependent children. Its program partners with human resources, supervisors, and managers to help them build a healthy workplace.
The program also offers disease care management that addresses conditions like substance use disorder and other mental health disorders. Overall, those with this coverage can get access to many benefits, including:
- Counseling Services: Free and confidential counseling to anyone under the policy’s coverage.
- Crisis Services: Available to those under the policy’s coverage, supervisors, managers, and human resources 24/7.
- Help for Caregivers: Resources, information, and coaching assistance to employees and family members who are caregivers.
Understanding Drug Use and Health Care
Until recently, substance use disorder lived outside of healthcare standard lines. Health insurance and addiction treatments didn’t connect. It wasn’t until the late 80s that drug rehab centers began accepting some insurance policies. Before then, treatment facilities operated as service-fee operations accepting mostly cash payments, limiting access to people struggling with substance abuse.
After Obamacare’s reform to the health care system, insurances had to change the way mental illness and substance abuse were addressed, categorizing them as essential health benefits. As a result, the reform lifted healthcare coverage denial for any preexisting condition, including drug addiction and other mental health illnesses.
Additionally, one of the most significant changes in drug addiction treatment coverage was establishing parity for substance use disorders. After this, the scope, care management, treatment, and most costs related to addiction treatments couldn’t be more restrictive than any other ailment.
Drug Addiction Treatment Options
There isn’t a one-way street to treat drug addiction. Each case is unique as people often struggle with co-occurring disorders and often mix different substances, making treatment more complicated.
At Lighthouse Recovery Institute, out treatment programs are one-hundred percent personalized. By integrating different comprehensive, evidence-based treatment plans that include behavioral therapies and other structures, we can address every aspect of drug and alcohol addiction.
Addiction 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: 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: 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: 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.
Addiction Treatment Services
Additionally, we pair these programs and treatment plans with various therapies that support ongoing support to help those in recovery maintain long-term sobriety.
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?
If your insurance comes through your employer, most likely, drug addiction treatment is covered. However, no two insurance policies are alike. The best and quickest way to discover if your SelectHealth insurance plan includes drug rehab is by reaching out to the treatment center. You can also talk to your HR department representative, who can help you navigate the benefits package better.
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
The majority of employees are surprised to learn that drug addiction treatment can be covered through their insurance. Not to mention, the flexibility and assistance most companies are willing to offer to help their employees get addiction treatment. Believe it, their priority is your well-being, which is why they offer EAP coverage.
If you or someone you know is struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, please know treatment is widely available. Please discuss with your HR department to learn more about their Employee Assistance Programs coverage, your employee benefits, and your health plan. Call your insurance brokerage if you don’t feel comfortable talking about this with your company. However, remember EAP conversations are confidential and private, and cannot cost you your job.
Reach out to Lighthouse Recovery Institute today. Our addiction therapists will analyze your unique needs and build a treatment plan that adapts to your health needs and lifestyle. Through our comprehensive approach to addiction treatment, we can minimize the risk of relapse and provide long-term sobriety support.
Don’t wait another day; addiction treatment is available and can save your life. Start your journey to recovery today.
