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Does Tricare Cover Rehab? Find Out the Details Here!
- Beachview Treatment
- Jul 17
- 4 min read
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, mental health, or substance abuse, and you’re covered by Tricare, you may be asking: Does Tricare cover rehab? The answer is yes—Tricare offers mental health coverage, including treatment for alcohol, opioid, benzodiazepine, methamphetamine, and other drug addictions. This guide explains how your insurance coverage works, what programs you can access, and how Beach View Recovery helps patients use their benefits effectively.
As the founder of Beach View Recovery in Huntington Beach, I’ve seen how important it is for veterans, National Guard members, active-duty personnel, and their families to understand their health insurance policy. Here are the details you need to know about how Tricare helps improve quality of life through accessible care.
What Is Tricare?
Tricare is the United States Department of Defense’s health insurance program for active-duty service members, veterans, retirees, and their families. Managed by the Defense Health Agency, it is part of the broader military health system. Tricare works with civilian networks, including preferred provider organizations (PPO) and health maintenance organizations (HMO), offering accessibility to a wide range of health care, including mental health treatment.
Plans like Tricare Prime, Select, and Tricare for Life (with Medicare) each have different rules, but all cover medically necessary services based on policy and medical necessity guidelines.
Does Tricare Cover Addiction and Mental Health Treatment?
Yes. Tricare covers mental health and addiction care when deemed medically necessary. Conditions like anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorder, and opioid use disorder are eligible for treatment.
Covered services include:
Medication-assisted treatment for opioid, alcohol, or benzodiazepine dependence
At Beach View Recovery, we help every patient navigate insurance coverage and find the right mental health treatment or rehab program.
What Are the Costs With Tricare?
Your insurance expense depends on your plan. Active duty patients often pay nothing for covered services, while retirees or dependents may have reimbursement requirements, copayments, or deductibles. Some services may also require prior authorization or a referral from a primary care manager.
We verify benefits for each customer, explain their coverage clearly, and assist with all necessary policy approvals.
Why Dual Diagnosis Matters
Many in the military community experience dual diagnosis—a mental disorder combined with substance abuse. Untreated, this combination can worsen anxiety, depression, or lead to violence, relapse, or further health care needs.
Our programs at Beach View Recovery focus on coping skills, psychology-based therapy, and peer support to help our clients achieve lasting sobriety.
Is Tricare Enough? What About Other Plans?
Some families also carry Humana, Cigna, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, or Medicaid, all of which can work alongside or in place of Tricare. Thanks to laws like the Affordable Care Act and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), mental health coverage is considered essential, increasing accessibility for millions.
Beach View Recovery accepts many health insurance plans in addition to Tricare and can check your eligibility.
Programs Covered by Tricare
Here are the main programs Tricare may cover:
Residential care (inpatient rehab) for mental disorder or substance abuse
PHP (Partial Hospitalization Program) and IOPs (Intensive Outpatient Program) for structured, flexible care
Individual, group, and couples therapy
Trauma therapy for violence and military-related PTSD
Physical support services, such as physical therapy and exercise-based interventions when clinically appropriate
Specialty care, including art therapy, adventure therapy, and more
We also emphasize community involvement and encourage peer support and family education to help our patients build a strong foundation.
What Is Not Covered?
Tricare does not cover:
Experimental or non-evidence-based treatments
Luxury amenities unrelated to care
Programs that lack proper licensing and accreditation
At Beach View Recovery, we maintain high standards to ensure our programs meet department of defense and Tricare requirements.
Why Choose Beach View Recovery?
Our Huntington Beach center is built to serve the military community with integrity and respect. We know that statistics show military personnel face higher rates of mental health disorders, substance abuse, and relapsecompared to civilians.
We offer:
Tricare-approved programs with licensed clinicians
A focus on psychology, mental health treatment, and sobriety
Expertise in treating dual diagnosis, opioid use disorder, alcohol addiction, and anxiety
Flexible care through PHP, IOPs, and residential care
Support for families and spouses through couples therapy and education
Steps to Verify Your Coverage
Verifying your Tricare benefits is simple:
Call us at Beach View Recovery.
Provide your Tricare card and health insurance details.
We contact the defense health agency to confirm coverage.
You’ll receive a clear explanation of your benefits and any out-of-pocket expense.
This process protects you from surprises and ensures you only receive care approved as medically necessary.
Common Questions
Does Tricare require prior authorization for rehab?
In some cases, yes. Residential care and certain therapies require prior authorization. We handle this process for you.
Does Tricare cover emergency care?
Yes, Tricare covers emergency stabilization for mental health crises, including suicidal thoughts, overdoses, or acute psychotic episodes.
Is therapy covered?
Yes. Individual, group, and couples therapy are covered under Tricare.
Begin Your Recovery With Beach View
If you’re ready to take the next step, we’re here for you. At Beach View Recovery, our mission is to improve quality of life through proven treatment rooted in health care best practices. Whether you need help with a mental disorder, substance abuse, or dual diagnosis, your Tricare benefits can help you achieve lasting sobriety.
Call Beach View Recovery today to verify your health insurance benefits and start your journey. You’ve served others—now let us help you heal.
FAQ: Tricare and Rehab Coverage
1. Does Tricare cover rehab and therapy for mental health and substance abuse?
Yes, Tricare covers rehab, therapy, and mental health treatment for conditions like substance abuse, addiction, and mental disorders including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorder, and personality disorder. Coverage extends to both active duty service members and veterans, as part of the military health system managed by the United States Department of Defense and the Defense Health Agency. Services like PHP (Partial Hospitalization Program), dual diagnosis treatment, and medication for opioid use disorder (such as buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone) are considered medically necessary and covered. Tricare benefits are in line with the Affordable Care Act, HIPAA, and comparable to other insurers like Humana, Cigna, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, and American Addiction Centers network providers.
2. What out-of-pocket costs should a patient expect with Tricare insurance?
Even though Tricare provides strong insurance coverage, patients may still have deductibles, copayments, or payment responsibilities depending on their plan and network choice. Plans that use a preferred provider organization (PPO) or health maintenance organization (HMO) structure can help lower costs, but some services, like rehab or mental health treatment, might require prior authorization or a referral from a primary carephysician. We always verify benefits before admission and explain any expected reimbursement or out-of-pocket expense, helping each patient focus on healing without financial stress.
3. Does Tricare cover specialized therapies and alternative approaches?
Yes, when considered medically necessary, Tricare may cover specialized behavior therapies including dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), aversion therapy, and sometimes adventure therapy for coping and quality of lifeimprovement. These are effective for treating stress, borderline personality disorder, addiction, and other mental health conditions. Exercise, physical therapy, and nursing support may also be incorporated into a treatment plan where appropriate. However, coverage decisions depend on documented need, proper accreditation, and the provider meeting health care and insurance standards.
4. How does Tricare compare to other health insurance providers for mental health and addiction care?
Tricare’s benefits for mental health, addiction, and substance abuse are comprehensive and often align with civilian insurers like Humana, Cigna, Aetna, Medicaid, and Medicare, thanks to mandates in the Affordable Care Act and protections under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Statistics show both the National Guard and other military branches have a high need for services addressing drug and opiate addiction, methamphetamine use, and mental disorders. The military’s focus on management, rehab, and prevention reflects a commitment to improving quality of life, making Tricare a reliable choice for patients seeking recovery.
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