Opioid addiction rates continue to rise each year, causing thousands of Americans to lose their lives. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Opioids were involved in 80,411 overdose deaths in 2021.”[1]
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a type of addiction treatment that combines FDA-approved medications that lessen withdrawal symptoms and cravings with traditional methods like evidence-based therapies and counseling. MAT has been found especially helpful in reducing opioid addiction.
One of the most common medications used during MAT for opioid addiction is Suboxone. Suboxone is a combination medication that contains buprenorphine and naloxone. These substances work together to lessen withdrawal symptoms during detox and prevent cravings in early recovery.
Like other forms of addiction treatment, Suboxone treatment is often covered by insurance. While the amount depends on your specific health plan, most insurance companies offer some form of coverage for Suboxone.
What are the Benefits of Suboxone Treatment?
Suboxone treatment can make opioid withdrawal much less severe. This is because the buprenorphine found in Suboxone partially attaches to opioid receptors, tricking your brain into thinking it has gotten the opioids it craves.[2]
Suboxone can also decrease your chances of relapse after you have overcome withdrawal by preventing you from experiencing cravings. Additionally, the naloxone that Suboxone contains prevents you from being able to get high on other opioid drugs.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), medications like Suboxone can provide the following benefits:[3]
- Improved patient survival
- Increased retention in treatment
- Decreased illicit opiate use and other criminal activity among people with substance use disorders
- Increases patients’ ability to gain and maintain employment
- Improved birth outcomes among women who have substance use disorders and are pregnant
With that being said, it’s easy to see why so many people are interested in Suboxone treatment. Because of its efficacy in treating opioid use disorders, many health insurance plans have begun covering it.
Where Can You Find Suboxone Treatment?
Suboxone treatment can be found in a variety of settings. First, most medical detox centers offer Suboxone to clients who are overcoming opioid addiction, as it helps through the withdrawal process.
Another way to secure Suboxone treatment is by enrolling in an inpatient rehab program that offers medication-assisted treatment (MAT). These programs require you to live at the facility while you receive 24/7 care and support.
If you cannot take the time off of work to live in a treatment facility, you might be able to find Suboxone treatment in an outpatient rehab center. These programs offer MAT services while allowing you to live in the comfort of your own home. They only dispense one dose of Suboxone at a time, which means you might have to commute to the facility each day to receive your medication and check in with your prescriber.
Do Health Insurance Plans Cover Suboxone Treatment?
Medication-assisted treatment is considered the standard of care for opioid use disorders, most insurance companies will cover it. With that being said, the level of coverage you receive will depend on your healthcare plan, your deductible, and more. Additionally, you might have to find a Suboxone treatment center that is in-network with your insurance company.
Examples of insurance companies that offer coverage for Suboxone treatment include, but are not limited to:
- Aetna
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- TRICARE
- Humana
- Kaiser
- United
- Medicaid
If you are wondering whether your specific health insurance plan covers Suboxone treatment, you should contact your provider to ask what type of coverage they offer. Additionally, you can check with specific rehab facilities to ask them if they accept your insurance.
How to Pay for Suboxone Treatment Without Insurance
If you do not have health insurance but are interested in Suboxone treatment, there are a few ways you can go about it. First, you could opt to pay the full cost out-of-pocket, however, medication-assisted treatment can be expensive. Because of this, it is important to be aware of alternative ways to pay for these services.
Ways to pay for Suboxone treatment without insurance include:
- Finding a program that offers financing or sliding scale fees
- Taking out a healthcare or personal loan
- Dipping into your savings to pay for treatment
- Asking your family members for assistance
- Using crowdsourcing donations
When you are trying to find an affordable Suboxone treatment option, it is best to choose outpatient facilities. While inpatient treatment can be incredibly beneficial, it is usually the most expensive level of care. Because outpatient programs do not provide food or housing, they are usually more affordable.
Get Connected to an Addiction Rehab Center that Offers Suboxone Treatment
If you or a loved one struggles with opioid addiction, Suboxone treatment might be right for you. This medication can limit withdrawal symptoms, prevent cravings, and ensure you cannot relapse on other opioid drugs.
To learn more about Suboxone treatment and verify whether your insurance covers it, contact Mandala Healing Center today.
References:
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Drug Overdose Deaths, Retrieved January 2024 From https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/deaths/index.html
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): What is Buprenorphine, Retrieved January 2024 From https://www.samhsa.gov/medications-substance-use-disorders/medications-counseling-related-conditions/buprenorphine
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Medications for Substance Use Disorders, Retrieved January 2024 From https://www.samhsa.gov/medications-substance-use-disorders