(Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that InpatientRehabCenters.net aims to provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information on each insurance carrier and their coverage for addiction treatment and rehab insurance benefits but policy changes and differences between insurance policies can change. It’s important to check with our helpline representatives by calling 1-888-605-7779 to determine what coverage level your Metlife insurance will provide for drug or alcohol rehab prior to committing to any program)
SAMHSA studies estimate that more than 23 Million Americans suffer from an addiction to drugs or alcohol. Sadly, the number one reason cited for addicts NOT to get help is because they believe they cannot afford treatment. Metlife insurance covers a wide range of drug and alcohol rehab options to assist you in the recovery process. If you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction to heroin, methamphetamine, prescription drugs or alcohol, consider the rehab options available to you with little to no cost through your Metlife health insurance coverage. In some cases, medically necessary treatment could be covered up to 100% of the cost of your care meaning you can get into an inpatient drug or alcohol rehab program for FREE.
Keep in mind that your insurance policy, as well as factors unique to your individual situation, will dictate the actual cost of drug or alcohol rehab. You may have co-pays, co-insurance and other fees associated with the care that you receive. For help understanding your insurance policy, or if you have questions about inpatient rehab, call our helpline toll-free at 1-888-605-7779 anytime, day or night, to be connected with a caring, compassionate treatment advisor.
Does Metlife Cover Rehab?
Like most insurance companies, Metlife will cover your addiction treatment under certain circumstances, especially if your primary healthcare provider has deemed the care medically necessary. First you must figure out what type of insurance coverage you have:
- HMO Coverage: With HMO coverage you will likely be required to seek help from a rehab center that is in-network and you may be required to get prior authorization for treatment from your primary care physician.
- PPO Coverage: With PPO coverage from Metlife, you will have a greater choice of in-network providers and you may not require a referral from your primary care physician. These types of policies generally cover more care options and provide you with the ability to pick and choose your treatment a bit more freely than an HMO.
Regardless of whether you have an HMO or a PPO from Metlife, you will be able to access some level of addiction treatment with your insurance coverage. It’s really all about taking the necessary steps to:
- Review and thoroughly understand your policy and coverage details.
- Work with a rehab center that accepts your coverage.
- Have a plan in place for additional expenses that may apply such as your deductible, copay, coinsurance or other out-of-pocket costs.
We can help you make sense of all of this. For a free insurance benefits check, or to learn more about what drug or alcohol rehab is like, call 1-888-605-7779 to speak with a specialist. The call is completely confidential and we are committed to helping you get well.
How Long will Metlife Cover Inpatient Addiction Treatment?
Treatment lengths vary by need, insurance coverage, and various other factors. You may require longer term treatment IF you are struggling with a mental health condition such as anxiety or depression in addition to your addiction. Likewise, you may require long term treatment if you are struggling with certain types of prescription medication addiction which tends to require additional detox time and can have a generally longer recovery duration.
Some addictions or specific cases of addiction that are “not severe” may not require as much treatment. In these cases, you may receive coverage for a few weeks of care or you may be recommended outpatient treatment as a first choice in care. Certain Metlife policies will require a trial in outpatient rehab before approving inpatient rehab. It’s similar to the methods of getting other forms of medical care under your insurance coverage—consider the way most people with back problems are first required to receive a lower cost treatment such as physical therapy or an x-ray before more invasive, higher cost treatment options are approved by insurance—this too happens with addiction treatment.
Here are some of the terms you may (or may not) find within your Metlife rehab insurance policy:
- A specific number of days of inpatient rehab per year covered by a policy.
- A number of days of inpatient rehab to be specified and pre-authorized by your primary care physician each year.
- Only outpatient rehab is covered and there is no specific coverage mandated for inpatient rehab.
- A specific number days of outpatient rehab is covered each year by the policy.
- Outpatient rehab is required first, and if such conservative treatment fails, inpatient rehab can be approved and pre-authorized.
Again, each case is different so it’s important to review your own Metlife insurance policy to determine how much, or how little, addiction treatment will be paid for by your plan and what options are available to assist you in your recovery.
Are Specialty Programs and Luxury Rehabs Covered by Metlife?
Specialty programs such as luxury rehab or certain types of treatment that are still in a trial phase may not be covered by Metlife. This is because most insurance companies require a treatment to be “medically necessary” in order for it to be fully covered. This means that the treatment must be a requirement for your medical needs and cannot just be a treatment that is in a new trial phase or that is otherwise unnecessary. Luxury rehabs often provide amenities such as swimming pools, and spas, massage therapy and gourmet meals as part of their treatment offering—none of these items are “medically necessary” for your recovery, although they all may be comfortable and “inviting” they aren’t a necessity.
This does not mean that you will not have the possible option of seeking the help of such specialty programs or luxury rehab if you’re insured through Metlife. You may have to pay out-of-network costs in order to visit a luxury rehab, or your policy may dictate that it will cover all medically required costs and that you will be responsible for all additional costs associated with your treatment. For help understanding your policy, call 1-888-605-7779 today and we’ll review the terms with you and help you find a rehab center that fits your needs.
Inpatient vs. Outpatient Rehab Using Metlife Insurance Coverage
Determining whether you need inpatient treatment or outpatient treatment is often a first step in the recovery process. You’ve realized that you need help, you’re ready to make the call, but which option is best for you? And will Metlife even cover inpatient drug or alcohol rehab? What if you insurance denies your coverage for some reason?
All of these questions spring to mind, and create a sense of anxiety and fear—you don’t want to be turned away, not at such a crucial turning point in your recovery from addiction. Metlife will generally cover outpatient rehab for a prolonged period of time on most any policy. Additionally, if you have a confirmed medical need for rehab in an inpatient rehab center, you should have little to no trouble getting this approved as well—it may take a few steps, and it may require a referral from your primary care physician, but you will get the help that you need.
Here’s a look at how inpatient and outpatient rehab programs differ:
- Inpatient rehab is ideal if you have a strong addiction that is not easily treated and which requires around-the-clock care and medical intervention.
- Outpatient rehab can treat addictions that are slightly less invasive, do not include extreme symptoms of withdrawal and do not require constant care.
- Inpatient rehab provides you with a place to live in a drug and alcohol free environment.
- Outpatient rehab requires that you receive treatment on a scheduled time and then return home to continue working toward your healing and recovery goals.
Depending on the severity of your addiction, and whether you are addicted to certain prescription painkillers, alcohol, or other substances, you may or may not require a stay in an inpatient rehab center before you transition to outpatient care. This will be determined during the assessment phase of your acceptance into treatment.
Paying for Services that Insurance Will Not Cover
So what happens if you have additional fees associated with your drug or alcohol rehab that Metlife will NOT cover? This is a great question because many find that their insurance only covers 70 or 80% of their care or that they have a deductible to meet first or that they have co-pays and co-insurance costs that they didn’t expect when seeking help. Other times, people find that maybe all the medically necessary services are covered at a maximum of 100% but that there are other things like meals or certain treatment offerings that they take part in which are NOT covered. Here’s how you can pay for those services:
- Borrow money from a friend or family member – remember that friends and family are more receptive to helping you when you’re actually IN rehab.
- Take out a health loan.
- Get financing through the rehab center.
- Ask for a payment plan through the rehab center.
- Use a health savings account – if you have one.
- Use personal credit cards or take out an additional credit card for your care if possible.
All of these options can help you to cover the in-between costs associated with the various out-of-pocket expenses that can arise during the course of treatment. Having a plan upfront for these costs, and understanding your Metlife insurance policy and what to expect early on can save you the hassle of seeing a final bill and being shocked by the expenses that you still owe following a stay in rehab. Call 1-888-605-7779 for assistance in understanding your Metlife drug addiction coverage and what additional costs you can expect from rehab.
Metlife Insurance Verification
Verifying your insurance coverage is the first step when you call. We will take your information confidentially and ask you a series of questions that will help us to better understand your needs. If you have questions for us, we are happy to answer them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for further assistance. It can be difficult to understand and make sense of your insurance coverage.
That’s why we’re here to help you define your policy coverage, and understand what all the following terms mean to you:
- Maximum out-of-pocket costs
- Co-pay
- Co-insurance
- In-network
- Out-of-network
- Provider
- Personal care provider
- Referral
- Prior authorization
Following the steps required specifically by your Metlife insurance policy will ensure you receive the maximum amount of coverage available for your drug or alcohol addiction treatment.
Finding the Best Inpatient Rehab that Accepts Metlife
Finding the best inpatient drug or alcohol rehab center for your needs begins with a call to our helpline where a compassionate advisor will be available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We will not only answer any further questions that you may have about using Metlife insurance for your rehabilitative care, we can also answer questions related to addiction, treatment options, recovery and long-term healing. Many of our advisors are recovering themselves, so they fully understand what you are going through—don’t be afraid to speak with them about your needs, and to let them know what your unique situation is.
Call 1-888-605-7779 and start your journey to recovery today.
