For many, private health insurance can be key to accessing timely and high-quality care for mental health and addiction.
If you’re a Bupa policyholder, depending on your specific plan, mental health cover does support addiction treatment.
This blog explains how using health insurance for addiction treatment works with a Bupa policy, how to get started with your recovery, and what types of treatment is available through Bupa-accredited providers.
Bupa’s mental health coverage includes treatment for addiction. This means that if you are an eligible member, you may be able to access rehab addiction services, including residential rehab, if this is clinically necessary. [1]
Bupa generally covers one addiction rehab programme per member, either just once per lifetime, or once per policy term. Treatment at rehab can include:
The treatment you can receive will depend on clinical approval and the eligibility per your specific health plan. How much support you can claim will largely be subject to your policy plan level and whether your addiction began after you took out your insurance.
Bupa-accredited rehab centres are among the rehabs that accept Bupa insurance for addiction programmes.
The specific rehabs accepting Bupa 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 Bupa Health insurance.
Addiction treatment that is covered by Bupa can include a number of interventions to target your substance misuse or dependence.
If approved, your policy could include:
These treatment services must be medically necessary and carried out by accredited providers. Here, you can access comprehensive care, including medical, psychological and therapeutic services. [2]
There are some limits to treatment using Bupa insurance. Bupa policies include annual limits for both inpatient and outpatient mental health sessions and rehab.
For inpatient care, the limit depends on your specific policy. These limits can be:
These limits generally cover residential rehab programmes and psychiatric stays.
For outpatient therapy sessions, your coverage will depend on the outpatient benefits you chose when first enrolling in your health insurance policy. Depending on your plan, this could be for:
To make a claim for any addiction or mental health treatment, Bupa usually requires a formal referral and pre-authorisation. This is to ensure that the treatment you have is medically necessary and is in line with the policy you have.
To make a claim, the steps generally include:
These steps ensure you will not get any unexpected charges that are not in your policy plan.
Bupa usually covers just one addiction treatment service per member. However, you may still be eligible for continued care if you experience ongoing or recurring mental health conditions that are related to your addiction.
This includes:
After you leave rehab, if your addiction re-emerges after you’ve been through treatment, Bupa may offer some limited support to you via outpatient therapy.
Speak to us about what may be available to you, depending on your policy type and specific situation.
Just like with many private insurers, Bupa usually excludes pre-existing conditions, including addiction, if they were already present before your policy began.
However, your case will be assessed individually and you may still be eligible if:
Bupa offers a wide range of outpatient mental health services with its mental health coverage. This includes therapy and psychiatric care.
It’s important to note that what you’re offered is subject to the limits of your specific plan.
Services you could be offered include:
These services can be used to continue your recovery journey following rehab treatment or to access support early before your condition gets worse.
Bupa offers support for members who require urgent guidance or initial mental health support through its 24/7 helpline services.
Services include:
These mental health options can be valuable if you need urgent advice. [3]
Bupa is one of the major health insurers in the UK that sees addiction as a serious mental health concern and includes comprehensive treatment cover.
Whether you’re seeking out help for the first time, or going through a relapse, understanding what your Bupa policy includes is essential to making informed decisions about the care you will receive.
You will need to consider the following steps if you’re considering attending rehab through Bupa:
At Rehab 4 Addiction, we can help you to navigate through these steps and provide you with support to help you understand what your Bupa policy plan includes.
Call our free telephone line at 0800 140 4690 for all rehab enquires and help with understanding your Bupa health insurance policy.
Taking the first step to seeking treatment is never easy, but through Bupa you can access timely, high-quality care in an affordable way.
[1] https://www.bupa.co.uk/health/health-insurance/mental-health/support
[2] https://www.bupa.co.uk/newsroom/ourviews/addiction-types-and-support
[3] https://www.bupa.co.uk/~/media/Files/MMS/MMS-hosting/bins-03399.pdf
