Does Insurance Cover PTSD Treatment Programs?

Get Details and PTSD Rehab Coverage Support at Icarus Nevada

Trauma is something that most of us have experienced. Whether you were in a bad car accident, experienced abuse throughout childhood, or saw unthinkable things in the military, it’s normal for these experiences to leave a mark on your psyche. But, if your memories continue to impact you to this day, you may be experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

But does insurance cover PTSD treatment? You have come to the right place for answers, as this was a question I struggled with personally.

My trauma was experiencing a total brake failure at 50 miles per hour while learning to drive. The impact, damage (to me and the vehicle), and lasting fear of driving have stayed in my head for years, causing me to get my license a decade later than most. But, I can drive again thanks to my health insurance company covering PTSD treatment from Icarus Behavioral Health in Nevada.

Icarus Nevada in Las Vegas understands the depth and complexity that comes with trauma, especially complex PTSD and unconventional PTSD, as I experienced. They provide programs that take your situation and needs into account, personalizing your treatment to help you cope with the thoughts and feelings that accompany trauma. Plus, they accept a wide range of insurance providers, including Medicaid, to help make effective care accessible and affordable.

Read on to see if you’re experiencing PTSD and the treatment available to you from high-quality mental illness and addiction rehabs like Icarus Nevada.

What Causes Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD to Occur?

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a common mental health disorder that is caused by witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event. In some cases, there may be multiple traumatic events that contribute to the development of PTSD or complex PTSD, a more serious condition caused by long-term traumatic experiences.

Approximately 6% of Americans will experience PTSD in their lifetime, with women experiencing higher incidence rates because of physical or sexual assault. Veterans who see combat also have a higher risk of developing PTSD.

The severity of symptoms will vary extensively between individuals based on the type of trauma, the age when it happened, and how frequently you experienced trauma.

The Most Common Telltale Signs of PTSD

PTSD symptoms can manifest in a variety of different ways, many of which can impact daily life or important personal developments like driving, living alone, or starting relationships. If left untreated, they may hold you back academically, professionally, socially, and even medically.

If you suspect that you or a loved one have experienced trauma, here are some PTSD symptoms to look out for:

• Avoidance of certain people, places, or activities that trigger memories
• Nightmares and flashbacks
• Jumpiness and being easily startled
• Self-destructive or risky behavior
• Irritability or anger
• Trouble focusing that causes poor performance
• Social isolation

As a mental health disorder, PTSD can look very different in different people. I avoided highways and long car rides, had nightmares where I couldn’t control the car at all, and chose to stay home to avoid talking about my inability to drive, which greatly impacted my mental health. However, if you experienced a home robbery, you might be afraid to live alone or may have trouble forming romantic relationships after experiencing domestic violence.

How Does PTSD Affect Your Daily Life?

Mental health conditions can have a significant impact on daily life because they’re always there. Depending on the source of your PTSD, you might feel it every time you get in a car, when you’re home alone, or when you’re out in public – all situations that happen frequently.

These limitations can make it hard to hold a job, focus on school, meet new people, and overall maintain your mental health. As a result, it’s common for other conditions to appear alongside PTSD, which makes coping with the symptoms even more difficult.

Can PTSD Cause Other Conditions?

Yes, PTSD can contribute to additional mental health conditions from developing. The isolation, apprehension, and symptoms of the disorder can impact your mental health, causing depression, anxiety, and additional mental illnesses. You may also develop substance abuse issues as a way to cope with the symptoms of PTSD and its co-occurring disorders, leading to a harmful addiction that requires its own treatment in a substance abuse or dual-diagnosis treatment program.

Does Insurance Cover PTSD Treatment?

Insurance provider coverage is crucial for getting treatment for mental health issues on a budget. Many people who refuse rehab do so because of cost concerns, which allows your mental health condition to get worse and further impact your daily life.

Fortunately, if you have health insurance through a government program or Healthcare Marketplace plan, you have coverage for rehab and mental health services thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

According to the ACA, mental and behavioral health are “essential health benefits” and must be reasonably accommodated by your insurance company to a similar extent as physical health services. This means they cannot reasonably limit your coverage because of the nature of your condition or the treatment it requires, known as mental health parity.

However, they can still impose restrictions on what mental health provider they’ll cover, the amount they’ll pay, and how long they will cover mental health services per calendar year.

What Factors Impact PTSD Treatment Coverage?

While your insurance provider will almost always cover mental health and PTSD treatment, there are factors that will determine how much coverage you’ll receive, if any, based on your plan and providers.

Health insurance coverage often come in two types of plans: health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and preferred provider organizations (PPOs). Both cover essential health benefits, but to different extents.

HMOs are low-cost, network-based health insurance plans that require you to visit specific treatment facilities and doctors. Your coverage will often be higher than a PPO at any in-network provider, but you won’t receive any benefits or coverage if you go to a treatment center outside of your network.

PPOs or Preferred Provider Organizations

PPOs cost more, but allow you to attend any facility or provider and still have your services covered, often at a lesser rate. Your insurance company will still have a network that provides discounted mental health services, but you’ll be able to save more at out-of-network providers.

For example, if Icarus Nevada is in your network, you may pay as little as 10% of your treatment costs with an HMO plan but 25% with a PPO plan. If they’re not in your network, you could pay 100% of costs with an HMO but only 50% with a PPO plan.

It’s crucial that you know what kind of plan you have and consider in-network providers no matter what type of plan you have. However, you shouldn’t choose subpar mental health services just because it’s close or cheaper – your health is worth the investment.

Fortunately, Icarus is in-network with all major insurance companies in Nevada and the surrounding region, allowing you to receive cost-effective care like I did with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.

What Kind of PTSD Treatments Will Insurance Cover?

PTSD is a complex issue that takes a comprehensive treatment approach by mental health professionals to help improve its symptoms. As part of your treatment program, you may participate in any of these therapies – and many more.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a structured form of therapy that focuses on altering thought patterns, logically processing the traumatic event in a way that lets you cope with it more easily, and achieving goals related to your processing and coping skills. It aims to solve problems rather than simply acting as a space for sharing.

CBT is a one-on-one therapy with a mental health professional and is one of the cornerstones of mental health treatment, which you’ll find in most treatment programs.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy

EMDR is a trauma-specific form of therapy that your mental health professional can use to desensitize you to the stressful memories surrounding your trauma so they have less of an impact over time. You’ll perform guided eye movements while recalling stressful situations to weaken the emotional impact associated with the trauma.

EMDR is a part of many trauma-based mental health programs, including inpatient and outpatient programs.

Medication Management

Medication is used alongside many other types of therapy and treatment as a way to chemically address some of the symptoms you experience as a result of PTSD or its associated conditions. Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications may be used to combat depression and anxiety, while sleep aids can help prevent stressful nightmares.

Group Therapy

Group therapy, either as part of a treatment plan or completed individually outside of rehab, helps you overcome the loneliness that PTSD can make you feel. Isolation is common with trauma, so meeting with others in a safe place where everyone understands what you’re going through can be great for feeling less alone. Plus, you’ll be able to build relationships to help you cope during tough times.

What Kind of Rehab Programs Are Used for PTSD?

If you or a loved one are dealing with PTSD symptoms, it can be incredibly lonely and stressful. Unfortunately, like most mental health conditions, PTSD doesn’t have a cure. However, you can take steps to improve your symptoms and improve the way you cope with triggers through effective PTSD treatment programs at a rehab like Icarus Nevada.

Treatment programs come in multiple formats that you may attend, depending on your schedule, the severity of your PTSD symptoms, and your location.

Residential Inpatient Rehab Treatment Programs

Inpatient treatment requires you to live at your chosen rehab for the length of your treatment plan. You’ll have a specific schedule filled with treatments, therapy, and other activities to help you identify your triggers, learn how to cope with them, and prepare you for life after leaving the treatment program.

Inpatient programs are primarily for you if you’re attending rehab from another state or experiencing significant daily impairments that make it challenging to take care of yourself or put your health at risk.

Intensive Outpatient Programs or IOPs

Intensive outpatient (IOP) treatment falls between inpatient and outpatient treatment. It requires you to attend treatment for a certain number of days or hours per week as part of your treatment plan, but you’ll return home at night.

IOP is generally for mild to moderate levels of impairment, or if you have a work or school schedule that prevents you from attending an inpatient program.

Outpatient Treatment

In an outpatient program, you’ll attend individual and group therapy regularly, but don’t have to maintain a strict schedule. You may visit with a therapist weekly, your psychiatrist monthly for medication management, and attend group therapy a few times per week as needed.

You could receive outpatient treatment as part of a post-rehab ongoing care plan or to address less invasive PTSD.

How Much Will Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment Cost?

The cost of PTSD treatment will vary extensively based on your insurance company, your rehab, the type of program you’re attending, and how long you stay in treatment.

The best way to get an estimate of your costs is to contact your chosen facility so they can check your insurance coverage. Icarus Nevada was able to give me an estimate that I was comfortable with before I committed to a treatment plan, giving me the peace of mind to get started without worrying about paying for care.

Get Expert Treatment for PTSD at Icarus Nevada Today

PTSD can be a debilitating disorder to live with. It impacts multiple parts of your daily life and can contribute to additional mental health disorders developing, which makes it crucial that you get effective treatment as soon as possible. I knew I couldn’t put my life on hold any longer, so I reached out to Icarus Nevada and got the care I needed.

Icarus Behavioral Health in Las Vegas, Nevada, is a holistic drug and alcohol and mental health rehab center that can help you cope with PTSD and other conditions like addiction. Their treatment plans are built specifically for you, ensuring your needs are met and that you get the type of treatment that works for you.

PTSD can make every day more difficult. Don’t let it control your life any longer – call Icarus Nevada today to get the help you need to take back the reins of your mental health.

References

1. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_adults.asp
2. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9077625/
4. https://www.hhs.gov/answers/health-insurance-reform/does-the-aca-cover-individuals-with-mental-health-problems/index.html
5. https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/essential-health-benefits/