Finding high-quality addiction treatment that works with your insurance is essential to make receiving care as affordable as possible. If you have a plan under the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP), you may wonder if addiction treatment is covered and what facilities accept it.

We have experience working with clients under NYSHIP plans at United Recovery Project, so we’re here to provide you with guidance about the process. Keep reading as we discuss how to use NYSHIP for rehab and what treatment options it works for in the rest of this article.

NYSHIP Insurance Coverage for Rehab Treatment - United Recovery Project
Source: www.cs.ny.gov

What Is NYSHIP?

NYSHIP is a state health insurance program in New York. It offers coverage for active state employees, retirees, and their families.

The New York State Department of Civil Service states that those eligible for NYSHIP are:

  • Anyone currently working a state government job in New York for 20 or more hours per week or earning $2,000 or more annually.
  • Immediate family members of qualifying state workers.
  • Retired state workers and their dependents who were under a plan during employment and are enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B.

Local elected officials, public legislative body members, school board members, and other public board members also qualify for coverage.

Typically, qualifying individuals will register for The Empire Plan, which is the name of the health insurance plan under NYSHIP. Currently, over 800 government employers in the state of New York offer The Empire Plan, and it covers over 1.2 million state employees.

Does NYSHIP Cover Addiction Treatment?

Mental health and substance abuse treatment are listed as covered benefits under NYSHIP Empire Plans.

The Empire Plan offers a full Mental Health and Substance Abuse Program that’s meant to provide several benefits and affordable care at in-network treatment centers.

Rehab centers that accept NYSHIP are located throughout the state of New York and at several locations nationwide across the U.S. Therefore, whether you want to stay in state or travel for rehab, you’ll have options available that can help.

Treatment Options Available with NYSHIP Insurance Coverage for Rehab

There are many NYSHIP mental health and substance abuse benefits that can help when recovering from SUD. Those include:

Medical Detox

A medical detox is usually the first step when entering SUD treatment, and is covered under NYSHIP. When you receive treatment, you’ll get around-the-clock medical support to ensure you’re as safe and comfortable as possible to manage withdrawal symptoms as the drugs leave your system.

Inpatient Rehab

NYSHIP rehab coverage typically includes inpatient rehab, also known as residential care. An inpatient treatment program allows you to live at the rehab center for a duration of time while you receive therapy, build life skills, and work on relapse prevention planning.

Outpatient Programs

NYSHIP also covers most outpatient programs, including intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs.

Outpatient rehab offers a more flexible approach. You’ll be able to remain living at home while reporting to the treatment center at designated times to receive therapy and work on making lifestyle changes that help maintain ongoing sobriety.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

NYSHIP lists treatment medications, such as naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram, as a covered benefit under plans. NYSHIP Empire Plans typically cover a 90-day supply of these medications during addiction rehab.

Both the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports and SAMHSA list MAT as an option recommended for those with moderate to severe opioid or alcohol use disorders to manage cravings and prevent relapse.

Counseling and Therapy Services

Individual, group, or family counseling or therapy is a common staple during addiction treatment. It allows an opportunity for free expression, learning, and healing as clients work on managing underlying issues contributing to addiction. NYSHIP covers several types of therapy and counseling under mental health treatment benefits.

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Coverage with NYSHIP

The process to get NYSHIP inpatient and outpatient rehab coverage is similar since both are covered benefits under NYSHIP Empire Plans.

Pre-authorization is required for either type of treatment before it can be covered at your in-network facility of choice. Prior authorizations are meant to keep healthcare costs in check, and NYSHIP will work with the facility to ensure the recommended treatment program and medications are necessary and the most economical solution.

Co-pays are also generally required under NYSHIP insurance plans. However, these costs are still much less than paying fully out of pocket, so it’s well worth it to work with your insurance to cover the treatment.

We know that pre-authorization and understanding out-of-pocket costs can feel confusing when trying to receive addiction treatment. When you choose treatment with us at United Recovery Project, we’ll work with you each step of the way so you feel prepared and confident in your decisions.

How to Verify Your NYSHIP Coverage for Rehab

There are several ways to verify NYSHIP coverage for the rehab program and facility you’re considering. The top methods are:

  • Contact NYSHIP or your plan provider directly. You should be able to find a phone number listed on your insurance card or insurance documents.
  • Review your Empire Plan documents or log in through your provider’s website. There should be a section where you can review mental health or behavioral healthcare coverage available through your plan.
  • Work with a rehab center’s admissions team. We can help you verify your insurance coverage at United Recovery Project and find programs and treatment options that work with your plan. Working with us makes the process fast and simple, so you avoid confusion and get the help you need earlier.

Why Choose United Recovery Project?

United Recovery Project is a drug and alcohol addiction treatment center that works with each client to provide personalized care that works best for their needs. We work with many major insurance providers, including NYSHIP, to help balance affordability and effectiveness during rehab.

We’re familiar with NYSHIP’s standards and offer both inpatient and outpatient options that qualify for coverage. We’ll make the process as quick and easy as possible and help you navigate insurance coverage each step of the way to find options that maximize your benefits and achieve long-term sobriety.

Don’t Let Insurance Confusion Delay Your Recovery

Don’t let insurance confusion delay you or a loved one from getting help for addiction. We’re here to support you at United Recovery Project so you feel confident in your decisions and don’t have to go through it alone.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help. We’re here to answer any questions about insurance or our treatment options.

References

  1. “Frequently Asked Questions – Health Insurance for Local Governments.” Ny.gov, 2022, https://www.cs.ny.gov/employee-benefits/pa-market/faq.cfm
  2. The Empire Plan Reporting on Mental Health & Substance Use Program. New York State Department of Civil Services, 2024, https://www.cs.ny.gov/employee-benefits/pa-market/shared/publications/reporting-on/2024/reporting-on-mhsu-2024.pdf
  3. “Medications for the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder.” Office of Addiction Services and Supports, https://oasas.ny.gov/providers/medications-treatment-alcohol-use-disorder
  4. Medication for the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder: A Brief Guide. SAMHSA, https://library.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/sma15-4907.pdf

Popular In-network Insurances at United Recovery Project: