Novus Medical Detox Center Analyzes Status of Substance Abuse Treatment Coverage Under the Affordable Care Act

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla., May. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- According to government estimates, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equality Act (MHPAEA) helped 62.5 million Americans gain new or expanded insurance coverage for mental health and substance abuse disorders (1). However, experts assert that further support and investments are needed to overcome the current substance abuse treatment gap (2, 3, 4). Bryn Wesch of Novus Medical Detox Center, a leading Florida-based alcohol and drug treatment facility, evaluates the opportunities provided under the ACA and federal parity laws as well as the barriers individuals must overcome to obtain addiction treatment.

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Before the ACA and MHPAEA behavioral health benefits were implemented, the cost of inpatient detox and rehab programs often hindered individuals from obtaining substance abuse treatment. The 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health revealed that 22.7 million people required treatment for an alcohol or illicit drug use problem in 2013, yet only 2.5 million (10.9% of those requiring treatment) received treatment from a specialty facility (2). Among those who acknowledged a need for treatment and made an effort to obtain it, the most common reason cited for not receiving treatment was lack of health insurance and an inability to afford the cost (37.3%), while 8.2% had health insurance but reported that it did not cover treatment or did not cover the cost (2).

Expanded coverage for substance abuse disorders and federal parity laws went into effect in 2014, which means the initial impact of the ACA health insurance reforms won't be evident until the results of the 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health are published later this year. However, some drug rehab facilities are struggling to meet the increased demand for services, reporting that "other funding sources are drying up since many assumed the federal healthcare system would now pick up the tab" (3). Furthermore, researchers have found that many of the state government agencies in charge of addiction treatment programs are providing insufficient support, with less than half providing help in modernizing systems to support insurance participation and only one in three providing assistance with enrollment outreach (4).

"The Affordable Care Act and federal parity laws have made addiction and detox programs available to more Americans than ever before, but there's still a long way to go before everyone who requires treatment is able to access and afford the care they need," said Bryn Wesch, CFO of Novus Medical Detox Center. "Among the insurance companies that offer substance abuse treatment benefits, most set arbitrary caps on the amount of coverage. In many cases, individuals are only covered for three to five days of inpatient detox treatment, which means that a number of them end up dropping out before they've completed their recovery. This system sets people up for failure and often negatively skews the success rates of treatment programs."

Wesch maintains that the length of stays in residential treatment and detox programs should be need-based rather than contingent upon arbitrary financial decisions. She advocates for the implementation of industry to help determine the appropriate length of stay for patients depending upon their specific treatment needs, which would address such factors as the type of substance, current dosage levels, existing health issues and severity of withdrawal symptoms. Wesch feels that these measures would help ensure patients receive the necessary care and optimal length of treatment.    

As a licensed and accredited provider of medically supervised alcohol and drug detox programs, Novus has helped many patients overcome addiction. The residential facility's customized treatment programs follow proven medical protocols, using natural supplements and nutrient-enriched IV treatments to minimize withdrawal symptoms and offering 24-hour access to nursing care and withdrawal specialists. To help make its substance abuse treatment programs accessible for more patients, Novus accepts many forms of health insurance and has made arrangements with medical finance companies that can provide loans to qualifying patients to cover the cost of treatment.

For more information on Novus Medical Detox Center, including its full range of alcohol and drug detox programs, visit www.novusdetox.com.

About Novus Medical Detox Center:

Novus Medical Detox Center is a Joint Commission Accredited inpatient medical detox facility that offers safe, effective alcohol and drug treatment programs in a home-like residential setting. Located on 3.25 tree-lined acres in New Port Richey, Florida, Novus is also licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families and is known for minimizing the discomfort of withdrawal from prescription medication, drugs or alcohol by creating a customized detox program for each patient. By incorporating medication, natural supplements and fluid replenishment, Novus tailors the detox process for each patient, putting the dignity and humanity back into drug detoxification. Patients have 24/7 medical supervision, including round-the-clock nursing care and access to a withdrawal specialist, and enjoy comfortable private or shared rooms with a telephone, cable television and high-speed Internet access. Novus' expansion is tied to their contribution to their industry and their local community, ranking number 48 on the Tampa Bay Business Journal's 2014 Fast 50 Awards list of the fastest-growing companies in Tampa Bay, and number 2,936 on the 2014 Inc. 500/5000 list of fastest-growing companies in America. For more information, visit www.novusdetox.com.

1.    Beronio, Kirsten; Rosa Po; et al. ASPE Research Brief: Affordable Care Act Will Expand Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Benefits and Parity Protections for 62 Million Americans; Department of Health and Human Services; February 2013. aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/2013/mental/rb_mental.pdf

2.    Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Results From the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Summary of National Findings; September 2014. samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUHresultsPDFWHTML2013/Web/NSDUHresults2013.pdf

3.    Weigel, Samantha. "ACA Affects Drug Rehab Funds: Federal Health Law Causing San Mateo County Centers to Struggle With Demand, Resources"; San Mateo Daily Journal; April 15, 2015. smdailyjournal.com/articles/lnews/2015-04-15/aca-affects-drug-rehab-funds-federal-health-law-causing-san-mateo-county-centers-to-struggle-with-demand-resources/1776425141697.html

4.    Andrews, Christina; Amanda Abraham; et al. "Despite Resources From the ACA, Most States Do Little to Help Addiction Treatment Programs Implement Health Care Reform"; Health Affairs; May 2015. content.healthaffairs.org/content/34/5/828.abstract

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SOURCE Novus Medical Detox Center