If you talk with someone about therapy, addiction treatment or rehab, oftentimes you will hear the reason they are unwilling to go is not because they do not want the help. The most common reason people choose to forego addiction treatment is because of the expense. 

Unfortunately, therapy and rehab are expensive, making it realistically affordable for only a few, especially if insurance does not cover it. 

This begs the question: If I cannot afford rehab out-of-pocket, are there ways I can still seek treatment and receive financial support or insurance coverage?

Does Medicaid pay for drug rehab in West Virginia?

A frequently asked question among our West Virginia residents who have Medicaid is, “Will my Medicaid coverage help with rehab costs?”

There is good news – in October of 2017, “The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), Bureau for Medical Services … announced the approval of a Medicaid waiver which will allow West Virginia to expand substance use treatment and services for Medicaid members.” 

By ensuring coverage, those with financial concerns are much more capable of receiving the care they need. Of course there are certain parameters and guidelines to be followed when seeking treatment with insurance coverage, but so long as you contact your insurance company and learn about their specifications, you should be guaranteed coverage to some extent. 

Another commonly asked question is whether or not Medicaid covers prescriptions and additional behavioral health services, to which Psychology Today says, “In general, yes. Laws in the U.S. require insurers to cover essential behavioral health care at the same level as other health care services. Most health plans require a medical diagnosis and treatments that are evidence-based and medically essential. This means that life coaching and alternative therapies are not covered, nor is therapy without a diagnosis.” 

To accurately determine if your treatment needs are appropriate for Medicaid coverage, it is important to take the time to learn more about your insurance plan, as well as reach out to your preferred treatment facility to determine what insurance coverage for you would entail. Additionally, a formal diagnosis is needed to meet insurance requirements. 

That being said, some of the common therapies covered by West Virginia Medicaid include: 

• Medically-monitored withdrawal management services
• Residential substance use treatment
• Dual-diagnosis treatment
• Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
• Peer Recovery Support
• Life skills programming
• Individual, group and family therapy
• Recovery education and counseling
• Experiential therapy
• Comprehensive aftercare planning

With extensive coverage and personalized plans, we hope that you will benefit from treatment and find both financial peace and mental wellness. 

West Virginia Medicaid benefits 

Upon releasing the statement in 2017, West Virginia Gov. Justice explicitly stated some of the anticipated benefits of making this change: “West Virginia is number one across the nation in overdose deaths…Since this waiver is funded more than 80 percent by the federal government, it’s critical to protect our Medicaid budget so our state can meet its federal obligation for these vital services.  We need to help our people get the care they need to get their lives back on track and stop these senseless overdose deaths.”

With the availability of Medicaid coverage for rehab, you can experience the benefits of treatment, including: 

• A safe, secure environment in which to begin your recovery journey, especially if you and your psychiatrist determine a sober living home or partial hospitalization program is right for you
• Medication-assisted treatment plans that provide insurance-covered prescriptions meant to help wean you off of strong, addictive substances
• A personalized treatment plan that addresses not just the substance use disorder, but any underlying mental health conditions (or dual diagnoses) which may be furthering the addiction
• The chance to learn more about the addiction you battle, including how it is negatively impacting your life and the coping mechanisms you may have developed to deal with life stressors
• Guidance from trained mental health professionals who can help you establish healthy coping mechanisms and grow in self-awareness to address and redirect addictive behaviors
• Family and group counseling sessions to promote and restore damaged relationships and important social skills

By taking advantage of your Medicaid benefits, you will be able to embrace the full range of benefits found in addiction treatment. 

Ready to get treatment in West Virginia?

If you are ready to seek rehab in West Virginia, contact Pyramid Healthcare today. We will put you in touch with people who can help you understand and navigate the ins and outs of Medicaid and insurance policies, as well as get you in contact with a mental health professional to start your recovery journey today.

Call us anytime at 888-461-7426 or contact us online to learn more.