When considering addiction treatment in the UK, a big question people have is: Will my health insurance cover it?
The positive news is that many private rehab clinics accept health insurance from major providers, including AXA Health.
If you or a loved one needs support with any addiction, substance or behavioural addiction, knowing exactly what your AXA policy includes and how to access care, can allow you receive the help you need with much less stress.
In this blog post, we’ll explore how AXA Health supports addiction treatment, what types of services can be included, and how to access these rehabs through your insurance.
AXA Health insurance provides you with the coverage you need for addiction-related rehab care, including the access to residential rehabilitation, provided your policy includes an option for Mental Health. [1]
However, in recent years, AXA has been expanding to include more comprehensive support for substance misuse, dependency and addiction issues. This includes inpatient and outpatient treatment, but depends on the level of care that is needed and what your specific policy terms are.
It is worth noting that coverage is not automatic or unlimited. Instead, access to rehab through AXA insurance is subject to clinical approval. To receive clinical approval, a healthcare professional must confirm that the rehab treatment is medically necessary.
It’s also important that your condition isn’t classed as pre-existing before you took out your insurance, and that your policy has been active for long enough.
The specific rehabs accepting AXA Health insurance, rather frustratingly, keep changing, and so we’ve since decided not to list the specific rehabs that do, because this is subject to change.
Please contact our helpline on 0800 140 4690 for the full list of rehabs currently accepting payment via AXA Health insurance.
Also, AXA maintains a directory of approved mental health and addiction treatment providers. We can help you to search for other AXA facilities in your area that work with your specific insurance policy. [4]
AXA’s Mental Health cover can include a wide range of rehab services that are targeted at individuals who are at different stages of addiction recovery. [2]
Depending on the terms of your individual plan, this could include:
AXA is known for offering generally flexible cover under its Mental Health option, but there are still limits to be aware of.
You should check your specific plan for more details on your individual circumstances, but generally speaking AXA’s policies include:
This being said, there is usually a cap of residential rehab stays at around 28 days. If you need more time, extensions are usually considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on clinical recommendations.
Some policies may also have limitations on the number or duration of therapy sessions. You should always check your plan document carefully, or speak to a AXA directly for the most accurate information.
Obtaining a referral or pre-authorisation to access rehab is crucial. Just as most private insurers require that any claim is evidenced, so do AXA for rehab or addiction treatment.
This could be:
This ensures that your treatment is necessary and appropriate, and delivered by an accredited provider. If you begin to have treatment without authorisation, AXA may not cover your costs. [3]
We can help guide you through this process. Call Rehab 4 Addiction today for further information.
The Mental Health option doesn’t just apply to addiction-related care, it also covers a wide range of psychiatric and psychological services, including rehab treatment for:
This can include inpatient rehab stays, outpatient treatment, and ongoing therapy sessions. Again though, as long as care is referred and approved in advance.
There is no annual clinician fee limit under this part of the plan, which can be valuable for people managing complex or long-term mental health needs alongside addiction recovery.
In most cases, pre-existing conditions are not covered by AXA Health insurance. This means that if you’ve experienced addiction or a mental health issue in the five years before starting your policy, it may be excluded from cover. This is especially true if you’ve seen a specialist or received formal treatment that will be in your medical records.
That said, AXA may cover newly diagnosed conditions that arise after your policy begins.
If you’re unsure whether your medical history affects your eligibility, speak with Rehab 4 Addiction today at 0800 140 4690. We can help you to have a better understanding of what is covered in your specific circumstance.
If you decide to undergo treatment through the NHS instead of a private rehab facility, AXA still offers some level of support.
Under many Mental Health plans, AXA will pay a daily cash benefit of £50 per day, up to £2,000 per year, if you’re receiving inpatient or outpatient treatment via the NHS. This helps to provide a financial contribution to help cover other related costs.
This can be helpful if you’re facing long NHS waiting lists but still want to begin the recovery process with some additional resources behind you.
Navigating addiction is difficult enough without the added stress of financial uncertainty. Fortunately, AXA Health can provide meaningful support, both financially and clinically, when it comes to accessing professional help for addiction.
Whether you’re seeking inpatient care, detox services, or long-term therapy, your policy could be the key to accessing private, personalised treatment at some of the UK’s leading rehab centres.
As every plan is different, it’s important to:
Recovery is always individual for each person, but with the right support in place, including the right insurance coverage, you can take the next steps with greater confidence and clarity.
Need guidance on choosing the right rehab or understanding your AXA benefits? Our team at Rehab 4 Addiction is here to help.
Contact us today at 0800 140 4690 for a confidential discussion about your treatment options.
[1] https://www.axaglobalhealthcare.com/en/mind-health-service/
[2] https://www.axahealth.co.uk/health-insurance/mental-health-insurance/
[3] https://www.axahealth.co.uk/health-insurance/members/making-a-claim/accessing-treatment/
