Comprehensive Health Care Insurance Reform – Substance Abuse Coverage

Starting in 2015, Scottsdale Recovery Center will be able to accept more forms of insurance, including those covered by Obamacare (Affordable Care Act). The extended insurance coverage (to include mental health and addiction treatment coverage) has and will create real changes in Americans’ lives. People struggling with addiction issues may see as many effects as anyone, with some major transformations to addiction coverage beginning this year.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) put in place comprehensive health insurance reforms that will make health insurance available to many more people, lower health care costs, guarantee more health care choices, and enhance the quality of health care for all Americans.

The ACA includes substance use disorders as one of the ten elements of essential health benefits. This means that all health insurance sold on Health Insurance Exchanges or provided by Medicaid to certain newly eligible adults starting in 2014 must include services for substance use disorders.

By including these benefits in health insurance packages, more health care providers can offer and be reimbursed for these services, resulting in more individuals having access to treatment. The specific substance abuse services that will be covered are currently being determined by the Department of Health and Human Services, and will take into account evidence on what services allow individuals to get the treatment they need and help them with recovery.