California Drug & Alcohol Rehab Covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield

Most BCBS plans will cover at least some of the cost of rehab because they must abide by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The ACA requires most insurance plans to offer specific essential health benefits, which include mental healthcare and substance use treatment.³ However, there are exceptions to the law, so it’s important to verify your insurance before you start a treatment program. 

How can you get your insurance details and find a rehab that takes BCBS? You can call your insurance company directly, but it’s often easier to reach out to American Addiction Centers (AAC) through the addiction helpline, online chat, or text message. Our Admissions Navigators are available anytime, 24/7, to verify your insurance coverage and answer any questions you have about rehab treatment. 

BCBS coverage for addiction treatment will focus on covering medically necessary rehab, so it’s important to work with your doctor to create a treatment plan. This treatment plan may include multiple types of care as you work toward full recovery. 

The most common types of treatment include: ⁴

• Detox, which is a process where the substances leave your system so you can start treatment fresh. Many times, it’s helpful for this process to be medically supervised so you’re safe and as comfortable as possible.5, Introduction 
• Inpatient or residential treatment allows you to live at the rehab facility so you can fully focus on recovery. This intensive track provides patients with 24/7 care, and can last for a few months. 
• Outpatient care often follows inpatient treatment. You attend treatment several hours a week to reinforce your new habits and mindsets and live at home or a sober living facility outside of those sessions. There are three types of outpatient programs that vary in intensity: standard outpatient, partial hospitalization programs, and intensive outpatient programs. 
• Aftercare gives you the resources you need to stay strong in recovery after you finish treatment. This might include employment resources, housing assistance, and connections to other community support. 

The types of treatment and length of programs covered by your insurance will vary from plan to plan, so be sure to get the details of your insurance before starting rehab. 

Does BCBS coverage for rehab include treatment for co-occurring disorders, where you have a mental health diagnosis and substance use concerns? Most plans do cover dual-diagnosis care because both mental health and substance use are listed in the required coverages of the ACA.³ 

It’s important to treat both mental health and substance use in an integrated way to maximize the chances of full recovery.⁶ You can contact your insurer or reach out to AAC anytime to verify your insurance coverage and connect with a treatment center that includes integrated co-occurring disorder treatment. 

As you look for a rehab covered by BCBS, the first step is to see your doctor to get a treatment plan set up. That will help direct you toward which treatment you should start with. Then, you’ll want to get the details of your specific insurance plan. You can call the insurance company or contact AAC at any time, seven days a week. Our Admissions Navigators will answer your questions about treatment and verify your insurance, and they can even connect you to a rehab that takes BCBS. 

You deserve a life free of substance use so that you can live a happy, healthy life. We’re here to help. To find a California rehab covered by BCBS, consider using the recovery.org treatment directory. This tool allows you to browse California treatment centers and find one that best fits your needs. If you have any questions about addiction treatment or how you can use your insurance to cover rehab, contact AAC today. Call us today at to get started.