Insurance

MassHealth Coverage for Addiction Treatment in Massachusetts

MassHealth covers substance use treatment through its plans, and we help MassHealth members confirm their benefits at our Needham program. Here is what MassHealth typically covers for outpatient addiction treatment, what it costs you, and how to get an answer about your own coverage in one call.

Massachusetts coverage

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What happens when you call

One call starts everything. Here is what to expect.

  1. You call, we answer

    The admissions line is answered 24/7. A real person picks up, no menu and no callback queue.

  2. Benefits check within minutes

    We check your insurance with the carrier at no cost and tell you what your plan covers.

  3. A short clinical assessment

    A clinician talks through what is going on and matches you to the right level of care.

  4. You start

    We schedule your first day, same day in many cases, at the office closer to you.

What we will ask: your name, a callback number, which state, and only if you have it, your insurance card.

What MassHealth typically covers

MassHealth and outpatient addiction treatment in Massachusetts

MassHealth is the Massachusetts Medicaid program, and substance use disorder treatment is one of its covered benefits. Most adult members are enrolled in an accountable care organization (ACO) or a managed care plan (MCO), and each one runs its own behavioral health network. Members in the Primary Care Clinician plan use the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership for the same benefit. That is why the first thing we ask is the plan name on your card, not just whether you have MassHealth.

At our Needham center, MassHealth members typically use these levels of care:

  • Day Treatment. Our most structured program, several hours a day on weekdays. MassHealth plans recognize this level under their own names, often as a structured outpatient addiction program or partial hospitalization, and usually authorize it before the first day.
  • Evening Treatment. Monday to Thursday, 6 to 9 pm. Plans authorize it under their own program name, and whether that happens before day one or after a set number of sessions depends on the plan.
  • Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT). Suboxone, Vivitrol and the visits that go with them are covered benefits, with the medication subject to the MassHealth drug list.

The part people are most relieved to hear: MassHealth stopped charging copays for substance use treatment, including the medications, in July 2020. Coverage at our Needham program still depends on your specific MassHealth plan and the level of care it approves, so we verify your benefits in one call before your first visit.

Levels of care

Levels of care MassHealth members use at our Needham center

Every level is outpatient. You sleep at home and keep your life around treatment. Detox, when it is needed first, is arranged by referral to a partner facility.

Prior authorization and copays

How authorization and costs usually work with MassHealth plans

Admissions and our clinical team handle every step of this. Here is what it looks like from your side.

  1. 01

    The plan on your card decides: MassHealth ACOs and MCOs each keep their own behavioral health network and authorization desk. We check the plan you are actually enrolled in, and if our Needham program is outside its network, we say so and help you find one inside it.

  2. 02

    Authorization before Day Treatment: Day Treatment usually needs approval before day one. Our clinical team sends the assessment and treatment plan and handles the continued-stay reviews while you are in the program.

  3. 03

    Evening Treatment and outpatient: Some plans authorize Evening Treatment up front, others only ask to be notified after a set number of sessions. Weekly outpatient visits rarely need approval. We confirm the rule for your plan during the benefits call.

  4. 04

    What you pay: Nothing at the visit. MassHealth removed copays for substance use treatment and the medications used in it in July 2020, and there is no deductible.

  5. 05

    State law on your side: Massachusetts parity rules require substance use care to be covered like other medical care. Outpatient care can still need authorization, and that is the part we handle.

Our Massachusetts program is at 392 Chestnut Street, Suite 200, Needham, MA 02492, just off Route 128 and about 30 minutes from downtown Boston, with Newton, Wellesley and Dedham each under 15 minutes away. Because MassHealth is a state program, it pays for care at our Massachusetts office. New Hampshire residents should read our NH Medicaid page instead.

If you do not have MassHealth yet but think you qualify, you can apply through the Massachusetts Health Connector, and the state's Substance Use Helpline at 800-327-5050 can connect you to care while the application is in progress. Call us either way.

One thing we say plainly: we are not in network with Medicare at this time. If Medicare is your primary coverage, call anyway. Admissions can point you to options, and FindTreatment.gov, the federal treatment locator, lists programs that accept it.

Where you are covered

Our Needham, MA center is the office for MassHealth members

MassHealth questions

MassHealth and rehab in Massachusetts: common questions

Short answers here, and a real one for your plan when you call (603) 769-8981.

Does MassHealth cover Evening Treatment in Massachusetts?
MassHealth covers outpatient substance use treatment, and plans authorize our Evening Treatment program under their own program names. Whether your plan approves it before day one depends on the plan. Call (603) 769-8981 and we will check your specific MassHealth plan.
Does MassHealth cover Day Treatment?
Day Treatment is a covered level of care under MassHealth, usually with approval before the first day. Our clinicians send the assessment and treatment plan and handle the reviews during treatment.
Do you take MassHealth at Clear Steps?
MassHealth covers substance use treatment through its plans, and coverage at our Needham program depends on your specific MassHealth plan. Call and we will confirm your benefits before your first visit.
Does MassHealth cover Suboxone and Vivitrol?
Yes. Medication-assisted treatment is a covered benefit, and MassHealth removed copays for these medications in 2020.
Do you take Medicare with MassHealth?
We are not in network with Medicare at this time. If you have both, Medicare is usually primary, so call and admissions can point you to options, and FindTreatment.gov lists programs that accept Medicare.

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Most insurance accepted. Your name and a number is all we need. Admissions checks your benefits with the carrier at no cost and calls you back with what your plan covers. Admissions line answered 24/7.

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