Drug & Alcohol Rehab Covered by Health First Health Plans

Yes, Health First Health Plans cover drug and alcohol addiction treatment. However, it’s important to note that your coverage may not extend to all aspects of a treatment plan. It’s important to learn about your plan details so that you can understand what is covered or not covered, what the limitations are in your plan, and if there are any out-of-pocket costs (such as deductibles).

Although your Health First Health Plans drug addiction treatment insurance may not cover all costs, you can’t be denied outright for a drug and alcohol treatment plan. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a federal law mandating that insurance carriers provide fair coverage for all essential health benefits (EHBs).² Among the EHBs listed, mental health and substance use disorders are included.²

The Health First Health Plans coverage for addiction treatment will pay for all or some of the various levels of treatment you may need. These treatment options may include the following:

• Detox: A detox program is designed for those who need to rid their body of drugs or alcohol. Clinical staff may provide medication to participants to help them with the withdrawal process.³
• Inpatient treatment program: An inpatient program is a residential type setting. Individuals in this program will stay overnight for several weeks or months and receive treatment for addiction.⁴
• Partial hospitalization program (PHP): Participating in a PHP (also known as high-intensity outpatient or HIOP) delivers a personalized outpatient program that lasts about 4 to 8 hours per day and extends for at least 3 months.⁴
• Intensive outpatient program (IOP): An IOP is an intensive regimen but involves less time than the PHP. You can expect to spend about 9 to 20 hours a week in the program.³
• Outpatient treatment program and therapy: During outpatient rehab, you will attend regular sessions with a therapist. Standard outpatient treatment is often held once a week.³

You can easily access information about rehab covered by Health First Health Plans. You can log in to the website portal and review the details of your plan. On the back of your insurance card, you will find information about what type of plan you have, whether it’s an Individual & Family plan or if it’s a Medicare Advantage plan.⁵ When you speak with a customer service representative at Health First Health Plans, they can discuss any out-of-pocket costs and whether there are limitations to your plan.

It’s not uncommon for mental health disorders to co-occur with a substance use disorder. A co-occurring disorder treatment plan is the best approach if you have both mental health and substance use disorders (dual diagnosis).⁶ Some common mental health issues that co-occur with substance addiction are:⁶

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Bipolar disorder.
• Personality disorder.
• Depression.
• Schizophrenia.
• Anxiety disorders.

Although researchers can’t say definitively that one condition causes the other, there is certainly a link between the two. Certain risk factors predispose people to a co-occurring disorder diagnosis; these include mental health, genetic, and substance misuse risk factors.⁶

If you would like to check for addiction treatment programs near you, please visit the recovery.org directory.

1. HealthFirst, Health & Wellness. (n.d.). About us.
2. HealthCare.gov. (n.d.). Health benefits & coverage.
3. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2014). What is substance abuse treatment? A booklet for families.
4. HealthFirst, Health & Wellness. (n.d.). Health First Health Plans.
5. FindTreatment.gov. (n.d.). What to expect.
6. National Institute of Mental Health. (2021). Substance use and co-occurring mental disorders.