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1Privately owned programs, insurance, licensing, what to check
Private rehab Pennsylvania
Updated
Treatment programs that are considered "private" can mean a number of things, from being privately owned to using private insurance or payment options.

What Private Rehab Means
Private rehab refers to programs that are run privately, meaning they aren't owned by the government or state agencies. Instead, private drug rehabs are owned by individuals or private organizations.
Many people confuse the term "private rehab" with "luxury rehab." Private rehabs may offer luxury amenities as part of their treatment offerings but many do not. The term private rehab refers to a program that is privately owned by an individual or group and is generally not affiliated with the state in which it is located.
Private rehab is often associated with luxury rehab facilities. However, not all private rehabs are luxurious. In fact, many private rehab programs are very similar to publicly funded programs in terms of their treatment approach.
In some cases, private rehab programs can be covered by insurance, but it is important to check with your provider first to see what types of treatment they will cover. If you do not have health insurance or if your policy does not cover addiction treatment, there are still ways to pay for private rehab, such as self-pay or financing.
Private vs Publicly Funded Programs
County funding pays only after other sources (such as medical assistance or private pay) are exhausted.
Both private rehab and publicly funded programs offer valuable services that can help individuals overcome their addiction and regain control over their lives. The main difference between these two types of programs is the source of funding. Private rehab centers are typically paid for by the individual or through private health insurance, while public programs may be funded through state or federal government grants.
All publicly funded and privately owned treatment facilities in Pennsylvania must be licensed. The licensing process ensures that facilities meet certain standards for safety and quality of care.
Privately owned facilities may offer services beyond those required by government regulations. For example, they may provide luxury accommodations or a wider variety of treatment options. They are not required to do so, however.
Using Private Insurance for Rehab
Contact your insurer first about coverage. Check their website, call their customer service line, or talk with an agent. If you aren't sure what kind of plan you have, ask the insurer to provide you with documentation that explains what's covered in your policy and how much you will need to pay out-of-pocket.
Ask your insurer about preferred providers and whether a referral is required. If you are looking for an in-network provider, it might be easier to find one by asking for referrals from the insurer. Some insurance companies have a directory of approved providers that you can use as a reference when searching for a treatment center.
If you're using an out-of-network provider, your insurer may reimburse you for some or all of the cost of treatment services after they are provided. However, this is dependent on what's covered in your health plan. In many cases, co-payments and deductibles will apply, and the amount reimbursed by insurance may be less than what the provider initially charges.
Some insurers will require prior approval to receive coverage for certain services or procedures. If you have not received prior approval from your insurer before beginning treatment, any costs that are incurred without their consent could be subject to rejection later on. Therefore, it's important to check with them before seeking care at a specific facility or clinic.
If you don't have health insurance or your health insurance doesn't cover all your treatment costs, ask if a program offers any sliding-scale fee options that could lower the cost of care. Ask the facility what payment methods they accept and if there is financial assistance available to help pay for treatment.
DDAP's Treatment Atlas provides comprehensive information on programs, services, insurance and alternate payment options and groups served at each facility.
What Pennsylvania Law Requires Insurers to Cover
Act 106 does not apply to individual plans. Under the federal parity law, your mental health or substance use disorder benefits cannot be more restrictive than the medical and surgical benefits of the same plan.
State and federal mental health parity laws require insurance plans to cover mental health and/or substance use disorders in the same way they do physical medical conditions. It also mandates specific minimum benefits.
Act 106 also requires a minimum of seven days per admission for inpatient detoxification and four admissions per lifetime. Additionally, the act mandates coverage for a minimum of 30 days per year in residential treatment and 90 days total over the course of an individual's life.
Checking a Program's License and Inspection Results
DDAP Facility Locator shows license and inspection information for addiction treatment facilities in Pennsylvania, including the date of the last site visit, summary results from each inspection, any actions taken by DDAP against the facility, and whether or not the facility is currently licensed.
You can find out if a treatment facility is licensed in Pennsylvania by searching for a drug/alcohol facility license using DDAP's Drug and Alcohol Facility Locator. The Drug and Alcohol Facility Locator provides information on inspections, deficiencies, and other compliance issues.
DDAP Care Provider Search lists all licensed facilities in Pennsylvania that provide substance use disorder services.
Treatment Atlas provides additional search criteria to locate programs based on the types of services offered, groups served, payment methods accepted, and more.
In Pennsylvania, all drug and alcohol treatment programs must be licensed by the state to operate. Licensing protects patients from unqualified providers or programs that do not meet quality standards of care. When choosing a program for yourself or a loved one, it's important to review a program's inspection results and license status.
A facility's inspection history can provide insight into how well it performs in some key areas. The state conducts routine compliance visits at licensed programs to ensure that providers meet minimum standards for the care they provide.
Accreditation and Evidence-Based Care
Accreditation means a program meets national standards set by independent review boards.
Quality programs will also show evidence that their treatments work in practice. Ask about the treatment plan and how it was shaped by assessment and research results about what works to treat substance use disorders. Treatment should include proven medical care and counseling. A good treatment plan is based on the most recent scientific evidence, tailored for each person's needs and includes a full range of services.
You can also ask about any outcomes research the program has done with former clients and the results of their own internal quality improvement evaluations to assess effectiveness of treatments in real-life settings.
Ask about the credentials of each person involved in your care. Ask how long they have been practicing in substance use disorder treatment.
Be sure that the treatment program uses treatments based on evidence of effectiveness, such as medication-assisted therapy or counseling.
When looking for addiction rehab, make sure the facility is accredited by an independent board. Accredited programs have gone through a review process that includes checking on credentials of staff, ensuring proper care for clients and meeting quality standards in operation.
Questions to Ask a Private Program
Ask for a thorough assessment before starting treatment. A medical doctor can help determine if you need detoxification and whether there are any underlying physical problems that could be contributing to substance use disorder.
Find out how treatment will work. Ask about the treatment approach. Learn what levels of care and services will be provided. Find out if you can get a prescription from someone at the program for medication to treat substance use disorder, as well as for any other medical problems.
- Are you accepting new patients?
- How soon could my loved one start treatment?
- Do you accept health insurance? If so, what types?
- Can you estimate how much my loved one's care would cost?
- Is your program licensed?
- Has your program been accredited by an independent accrediting body?
- What professional training do the staff have?
- Are there medical doctors on staff or available to consult?
- What are the credentials and certifications of the clinical staff?
- How is treatment started? Is it with a complete assessment and diagnosis?
- How is a treatment plan developed for my loved one's care?
- What levels of care does your program offer?
- Does this program provide detox or do you have an agreement with another program that will?
- What happens if I have a relapse while in treatment?
- Are recovery support services provided after treatment ends?
You can use the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs' Treatment Atlas to find addiction treatment programs in Pennsylvania.
Warning Signs of Poor-Quality Programs
Poor-quality programs often lack a current state license or other accreditation. They are sometimes staffed by people who do not have training or licenses to treat substance use disorder or offer other health care services. Some may even be unlicensed or untrained in providing health care, and could put your health and safety at risk.
Many times, poor-quality treatment programs make unrealistic promises about success rates for their treatment and recovery plans. They also might claim to have special access to medicines, treatments, or programs that are not proven to be effective in treating substance use disorder. The best way to know if a program is providing quality care is to ask questions and do your research.
If the program you are considering has any of these signs, it may be poor-quality:
- Doesn't have a current state license or other accreditation
- Does not provide effective treatments for the drug problems they treat (for example, they only use one approach like 12-step programs)
- Makes unrealistic promises about success rates
- Offers special access or exclusive medications, treatments, or programs that are not proven effective
- Doesn't work with any other health care providers
- Health professionals are not licensed by the state or board.
- Staff is not certified in addiction treatment.
- They only provide 12-step or other abstinence-only treatment and do not offer medication for opioid or alcohol use disorders, even though they are FDA approved.
- The program provides the same treatment plan for everyone and does not offer individualized care plans based on each person's unique needs.
Poor-quality programs often lack a current license or certification. They also may have minimal or no trained staff with advanced degrees and certifications in addiction treatment. Often they will not provide comprehensive services including care for mental health disorders, medical conditions, or relapse prevention planning.
Quality treatment programs will fully assess each person's health, mental health, and substance use issues before developing a treatment plan. Beware of any provider who recommends the same type or length of treatment for everyone. Each individual has unique needs that should be considered in developing an appropriate treatment plan.
The best treatment includes medication when it is needed to ease withdrawal symptoms or prevent relapse, and there are FDA approved medications for opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorders.
Private Pay When Insurance Does Not Cover Treatment
Single County Authorities can help with funding. If you don't have any insurance, Single County Authorities (SCAs) may be able to assist you in paying for treatment. They are also a great place to start if you have private insurance but it does not cover all of the costs.
When insurance will not pay, private payment is usually available for all levels of treatment and services.
If your insurance does not cover all of the costs of treatment, you may choose to privately pay for treatment. Some programs offer payment plans to help you manage out-of-pocket expenses and make the cost of treatment more affordable.
Private pay individuals may receive some financial assistance from the treatment center. Each center has its own policies for financing treatment. Generally, it is a sliding scale based on income or resources available.
The patient and/or their family members should discuss payment options with the treatment center staff. In some cases, treatment centers offer flexible financing programs or they accept credit cards. Other times, there are payment plans that may be available.
Private rehab by Pennsylvania city
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