Drug & Alcohol Rehab with United Healthcare and Optum

UnitedHealthcare is a long-standing insurance company that offers health services to members around the United States. With more than 125,000 employees, UnitedHealthcare partners with more than 1.3 million healthcare professionals to provide high-quality care.¹

That means that UnitedHealthcare, which is part of UnitedHealth Group, ¹ is a great ally in your choice to move away from addiction to a healthier, sober lifestyle.

Do Optum and United Healthcare Cover Drug & Alcohol Rehab?

If you have an insurance plan with UnitedHealthcare, you will likely have at least some coverage or addiction treatment. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandated that many plans, including all small group plans and all marketplace plans, provide coverage for mental health and substance use treatment.³

Types of Substance Abuse Treatment Covered by United Healthcare

UnitedHealthcare recognizes a variety of recommended treatments for substance use disorder. They recognize that each individual may need a different treatment strategy that takes into account their substance use, history, medical needs, mental health, and social environment.⁴

At Desert Hope and all American Addiction Centers facilities, we create individualized plans that may include one or more of the following services:

• Detox, where you withdraw from substances under medical supervision.
• Residential care, where you live at the facility, receive counseling, and learn new skills.
• Intensive outpatient care, where you live at home but attend treatment 15-20 hours a week.
• Partial hospitalization program (PHP), where you attend treatment 25-30 hours a week but live at home.
• In-person or telehealth outpatient therapy.
• Medications for alcohol or opioid use disorders.

Depending on your UnitedHealthcare plan, you may have coverage for some or all of these levels of care. We can help you determine your plan’s coverage when you fill out our

Cost of Addiction Treatment with Optum and United Healthcare Insurance Coverage

The cost of addiction treatment will vary according to your specific health insurance plan, so what you pay out of pocket will depend on your plan’s coverage.

The first cost to consider is your deductible. This is the amount you pay in a plan year before your insurance kicks in to pay for covered services.

Next, you will probably need to cover some of the costs of covered services, whether in the form of a copayment or a cost-share (coinsurance). There may be an out-of-pocket maximum, where once you’ve paid a specific amount your insurance will cover 100% of your medical costs.

If you’re concerned about the costs that insurance doesn’t cover, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there are payment options for handling the cost of rehab. For instance, you might be able to get a scholarship, set up a payment plan with the facility, or get a loan to cover treatment.

Using United Healthcare Insurance to Pay for Rehab

How do you go about using UnitedHealthcare for rehab? You can begin by calling their Substance Use Helpline, which will connect you with a substance use recovery advocate. They can help you understand how to find an in-network provider and set up treatment.

Depending on your specific insurance plan, you might need a referral from your primary care physician (PCP) to have treatment covered by your insurance. If this is the case, make an appointment with your doctor and be honest about your needs. The doctor can refer you to an appropriate specialist.

Treatment providers like Desert Hope can also help you get an estimate of your costs before you begin treatment. For more information, just reach out to us at any time at

If you’re a veteran, you may have been through a lot of experiences that average Americans can’t relate to. That’s why we have a specialized Vets-only program, Veterans program. We know that you have unique needs, and our programs focus on meeting them. If you are veteran eligible for community care, Optum can also connect you with community care providers such as Desert Hope that can help you access behavioral health benefits, medical care, and more using your VA benefits.⁶

If you’re ready to get started on the road to recovery, take the first step and fill out our online benefits check to verify your coverage. It only requires a few details and will give you the information you need in just a few minutes.

Why Use United Healthcare to Pay for Addiction Treatment?

Addiction is a serious problem in Nevada. Substance use is higher among teens in Nevada than the overall population of the U.S., even though Nevada teens acknowledge the high risk of drug use.⁷

Adult residents are using drugs at a high rate as well, from non-medical marijuana to prescription and illegal drugs. According to 2020 data, an estimated 16% of Nevada adults used illicit drugs or misused prescription drugs in the previous year.⁸

The cycle can end with you. You can make the choice to move away from substance abuse and toward a happier, healthier life. UnitedHealthcare and Optum work together to provide top-notch treatment for any medical or mental health need. If you’re struggling with a substance use disorder, UnitedHealthcare insurance can help you access the benefits you need.