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Federal BCBS coverage may be available for federal employees seeking help for drug and alcohol addiction treatment services.
When someone is struggling with addiction, there shouldn’t be barriers that make it more difficult for them to get treatment. One misconception is that cost is a barrier to addiction treatment and recovery. In reality, most insurance plans, including federal Blue Cross Blue Shield policies, will cover at least some of the rehab costs.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal is also known as the Federal Employee Plan or FEB. Federal BCBS coverage is available to federal employees of the U.S. government.
The program launched in 1960, and an estimated 5.5 million federal employees, retirees and their families currently have insurance coverage. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is a nationwide federation of independent and local Blue Cross Blue Shield companies, of which BCBS Federal is part. These companies provide coverage for around 1 in 3 Americans.
All Federal Employee Program plans include free preventative care, worldwide coverage and up to two free Teladoc visits yearly. You may also have specialist visits with no primary care doctor referral. This insurance offers access to the largest preferred provider network in the country, and more hospitals, specialists and doctors are part of this than any other network.
When someone struggles with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, it’s a complex disease. It’s a chronic disease, and as with other similar illnesses, addiction requires professional treatment for most people to recover.
An addiction treatment program can be life-saving and essential for someone struggling with drug or alcohol dependence. As part of that, insurance companies must cover rehab in a way that’s similar to other medical conditions because of the Affordable Care Act. BCBS Federal Insurance covers drug and alcohol rehab, but limitations depend on your state and plan, and you may have to meet certain out-of-pocket requirements.
Inpatient rehab programs are an important first treatment step for many people. Inpatient rehab is residential, so you live onsite as you receive treatment.
Inpatient rehabs are immersive and evidence-driven, providing a safe, comfortable, recovery-driven environment. BCBS Federal covers all or a percentage of inpatient rehab in many cases. You can verify your coverage by reaching out to the company directly, or one of our Recovery Advocates can help.
Outpatient treatment may be the first step of your rehab plan if you have a milder addiction, or it can be a step down from a more intensive level of care. Regardless, BCBS Federal does often cover outpatient rehab. Outpatient rehab for a substance use disorder is considered an essential health benefit, as defined by the Affordable Care Act. When you’re an FEP member because of the ACA, your plan must provide partial coverage, at least for any addiction-related treatment, including outpatient care.
Mental health services are like addiction treatment services; they’re one of the 10 essential health benefits under the ACA. It’s common for someone with an addiction to have a co-occurring mental health disorder. This is a dual diagnosis, and all conditions must be treated appropriately. Otherwise, the person in treatment is at a greater risk of relapse.
BCBS Federal offers coverage for mental health services, which can help your long-term recovery. BCBS Federal coverage might also include specific types of therapy, like eye movement sensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), often used to treat trauma.
The exact types of addiction treatment that might be covered for BCBS Federal members will depend on their plan and their location, but generally, the following programs may be covered:
When someone gets addiction treatment, how long they participate in the program will differ based on the severity of their substance use, how long they’ve struggled with addiction, and other factors, like whether they’ve previously tried other treatment programs or have co-occurring disorders. These factors can also determine how long Federal BCBS coverage will last for treatment. Most people stay in a rehab program for 30, 60 or 90 days, so BCBS Federal may cover this treatment length.
If you have BCBS Federal coverage, The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake partners with this provider. You may be able to get coverage for rehab at our Colorado facility. Please reach out to our Recovery Advocates to learn more. They can help with insurance verification, or you can contact your insurer directly to find out what’s covered and your out-of-pocket costs. You can take the next step toward recovery today — contact a Recovery Advocate.
Menon, Sukanya B. and Jayan, C. “Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: A Conceptual Framework.” NIH National Library of Medicine, 2010. Accessed May 23, 2023.