Will the VA Pay for Rehab? What You Need to Know

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Americans owe it to our vets to stand by them in their hour of need. That means supporting them if and when it comes time to pursue treatment for substance use disorder and/or co-occurring mental health disorders like PTSD or depression. Though it may seem overwhelming, receiving addiction treatment for veterans can be relatively easy and affordable thanks to benefits provided by the VA. Will the VA pay for your rehab? Here’s what you need to know.

What is the VA?

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (the VA, for short) is a federal organization that provides benefits and support to veterans after service. The amount you pay for those services depends on your income, assets, and any injuries sustained during service. You’ll find a list of qualifications for VA benefits eligibility HERE.

Veterans may avail themselves of medical care, mental health treatment, vocational rehabilitation, and more at any of the VA’s facilities, of which there are currently more than 100. The VA also can refer you to substance abuse treatment facilities that work closely with the VA and veterans.

What is TRICARE?

The VA usually does not provide health benefits for military families or veterans’ dependents, however. For that reason, many vets supplement their VA benefits with TRICARE health plans, which are a federal program managed by the Defense Health Agencies.  Depending on your particular needs, you might choose TRICARE, TRIWEST, or TRICARE East for your plan, which can cover dental care, mental health care, pharmacy purchases, vision, and more. Medicare is also an option for supplementing VA benefits.

The Affordable Care Act & Addiction Treatment

The Affordable Care Act passed in 2010 made it mandatory for health insurance plans on the Exchange to cover addiction treatment services. Substance use disorders were listed as one of ten essential health elements, making it easier than ever for civilians and veterans alike to access affordable treatment. As federal plans, Medicare and all TRICARE plans are governed by the ACA. That means that your plan likely has you covered.

Verifying Your Benefits & Paying for Rehab

The best way to figure out what your insurance will pay for is to verify your insurance benefits. Simply provide your basic insurance information to a facility of your choosing, and we can check with the insurer to see what’s covered. This is a no-pressure and no-commitment process that’s simply meant to inform you of your rights under your plan. If you’d like to move forward from there, it’s easy for your facility to communicate directly with your insurer to request approvals for treatment. Even if you don’t decide to move forward at that time, you’ll know without a doubt what your options are moving forward in addiction treatment.

Addiction Treatment in Utah

Acqua Recovery is proud to be in-network with TRICARE, TRICARE East, TRIWEST, and other military healthcare plans. We have helped hundreds of veterans find recovery at our sanctuary for healing near Park City, Utah, with the help of Masters-level clinicians and a team that truly cares. Give us a call and our admissions team can listen to your story and provide information to help you move forward. Some have even been through our program themselves, experiencing firsthand the process of renewal and rediscovery that happens on our campus. For more information, call us or send a chat. Or, check out our ebook below.

Will the VA Pay for Rehab? What You Need to Know

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Dr. Daniel Pickrell

Dr. Daniel Pickrell
Medical Reviewer

Dr. Pickrell is a board-certified psychiatrist with interests in addiction and psychiatry. He strives to identify the underlying cause of substance use. His understanding of addiction as the overlapping symptoms of biopsychosocial development is the foundation to his care model. He is committed to helping both patients and families understand that addiction is a treatable medical illness. He has been involved in the treatment of addiction for the last 17 years and completed his residency training at the University of Utah.

By: Acqua Recovery

Posted Date: Feb 1, 2023

Updated Date: Aug 28, 2024

Americans owe it to our vets to stand by them in their hour of need. That means supporting them if and when it comes time to pursue treatment for substance use disorder and/or co-occurring mental health disorders like PTSD or depression. Though it may seem overwhelming, receiving addiction treatment for veterans can be relatively easy and affordable thanks to benefits provided by the VA. Will the VA pay for your rehab? Here’s what you need to know.

What is the VA?

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (the VA, for short) is a federal organization that provides benefits and support to veterans after service. The amount you pay for those services depends on your income, assets, and any injuries sustained during service. You’ll find a list of qualifications for VA benefits eligibility HERE.

Veterans may avail themselves of medical care, mental health treatment, vocational rehabilitation, and more at any of the VA’s facilities, of which there are currently more than 100. The VA also can refer you to substance abuse treatment facilities that work closely with the VA and veterans.

What is TRICARE?

The VA usually does not provide health benefits for military families or veterans’ dependents, however. For that reason, many vets supplement their VA benefits with TRICARE health plans, which are a federal program managed by the Defense Health Agencies.  Depending on your particular needs, you might choose TRICARE, TRIWEST, or TRICARE East for your plan, which can cover dental care, mental health care, pharmacy purchases, vision, and more. Medicare is also an option for supplementing VA benefits.

The Affordable Care Act & Addiction Treatment

The Affordable Care Act passed in 2010 made it mandatory for health insurance plans on the Exchange to cover addiction treatment services. Substance use disorders were listed as one of ten essential health elements, making it easier than ever for civilians and veterans alike to access affordable treatment. As federal plans, Medicare and all TRICARE plans are governed by the ACA. That means that your plan likely has you covered.

Verifying Your Benefits & Paying for Rehab

The best way to figure out what your insurance will pay for is to verify your insurance benefits. Simply provide your basic insurance information to a facility of your choosing, and we can check with the insurer to see what’s covered. This is a no-pressure and no-commitment process that’s simply meant to inform you of your rights under your plan. If you’d like to move forward from there, it’s easy for your facility to communicate directly with your insurer to request approvals for treatment. Even if you don't decide to move forward at that time, you’ll know without a doubt what your options are moving forward in addiction treatment.

Addiction Treatment in Utah

Acqua Recovery is proud to be in-network with TRICARE, TRICARE East, TRIWEST, and other military healthcare plans. We have helped hundreds of veterans find recovery at our sanctuary for healing near Park City, Utah, with the help of Masters-level clinicians and a team that truly cares. Give us a call and our admissions team can listen to your story and provide information to help you move forward. Some have even been through our program themselves, experiencing firsthand the process of renewal and rediscovery that happens on our campus. For more information, call us or send a chat. Or, check out our ebook below.

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