Medical Tourism: How People Are Using PPO Insurance to Attend Rehab in Florida
Understanding Medical Tourism and Its Growing Popularity
Medical tourism is most often defined as the practice of traveling internationally to receive medical care, but people can also engage in medical tourism within their own country. Sometimes, people travel abroad because doctors or therapists offer services or treatments not approved within the U.S., but for lots of people, it’s the quality of care they’re after. According to the CDC, millions of U.S. citizens travel to receive medical care for the following reasons:
- Treatments cost less in other countries.
- They want to have time away to rest and recover before returning home.
- They’re looking for specialized care they can’t get at home.
- The quality of care is higher at their travel destination.
Traveling to a specialist, facility, or doctor that offers the right type of care for you is often worthwhile. Not only can you get the tailored treatments you need, but you’ll be away from the responsibilities of home, with time and space to recover before returning to your regular life. Getting care for medical issues, mental health disorders, or substance use disorders in a new environment — like WhiteSands Treatment’s network of drug and alcohol rehabs across Florida — can give you a clean slate and a sense of a new beginning, allowing you to return home refreshed, with a new perspective on life.Â
The Role of PPO Insurance in Facilitating Medical Tourism
Traveling out-of-country for medical care and treatment comes with risks, especially when you don’t know the laws, regulations, and language of the country you’re going to. It’s important to get all medical documents in advance and ensure you understand everything you’re consenting to. Traveling with medical or mental health conditions can also be risky in some cases. In many places in the world, if complications occur, most standard travel insurance will not cover you, but there are medical tourism insurance options to choose from before you travel abroad for care.Â
Getting treatment within the U.S. is a lot easier, even if you’re traveling to a different state. Your PPO insurance may offer some coverage for treatments. The exact amount covered depends on your insurance plan, but you may be able to save on out-of-pocket costs if you have PPO insurance.Â
Why Florida is a Top Destination for Rehab and Recovery
Although it may seem like a small thing, the climate is one of the main reasons why people choose Florida as their medical tourism destination. The sunshine, the favorable weather, and the relaxing environment are great for lifting your spirits while allowing you to get outside and enjoy being active.Â
Florida is also home to a variety of addiction treatment centers that provide unique treatment options, with inpatient and outpatient facilities providing therapy and counseling, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), alongside holistic healing treatments and yoga classes. You can find almost any type of treatment you desire in the Sunshine State, and there will be a full range of experts there to provide the care you need. There’s an active recovery community in the area as well, with busy 12-step meetings, recovery groups, and sober gatherings almost every weekend.Â
Benefits of Attending Rehab in Florida with PPO Insurance
If you have PPO insurance, it may pay for some or all of your detox and rehabilitation costs. Each insurance plan is different, and you will likely need to reach a deductible amount and pay a portion of the cost as a copayment, but your health insurance should provide some coverage for inpatient rehab, outpatient treatment plans, detoxification, medications, and more. Remember that it’s important to consult with the experts at a rehab like WhiteSands Treatment for drug rehab PPO insurance coverage verification.
Navigating PPO Insurance for Out-of-State Treatment
Navigating insurance deductibles, copays, and premiums can be confusing even when getting care in your home state, and it can be even more complicated when traveling for treatment. If you’re not sure what your insurance plan will cover, you have a few choices:
- Call your insurance company and ask the representative how much your insurance will cover if you attend an out-of-network rehab program in another state.
- Log in to your insurance company’s online user portal, and read through the policy on your own to find out what is and what is not covered.
- Call the treatment center you’re interested in directly and ask for help. At WhiteSands Treatment, you can speak directly to someone who is experienced in dealing with insurance companies and can answer all your questions about traveling out of state for care.
Key Features to Look for in Florida Rehab Centers
Some of the most important features to look for when choosing a Florida rehab center are:
Evidence-Based TreatmentsÂ
While most rehab centers are legitimate, there are, unfortunately, centers that misrepresent their wellness spa retreats as a place where you can overcome addiction. These places are incredible for relaxation, but without evidence-based therapies like psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, family therapy for addiction treatment, or group therapy, you won’t receive the appropriate level of care for your needs. Evidence-based treatments are what will help you overcome addiction and move into recovery.
Licensed, Board-Certified Practitioners
The people providing your treatment in rehab are people you need to be able to trust. Therapists, doctors, nurses, counselors, addiction experts, and psychiatrists all require specialized schooling and training to be able to provide quality care. Choosing a treatment center with licensed, certified practitioners will make sure you’re getting the care you need.
A Certified Treatment Center
Some of the best certifications to look for in a rehab center are from the Joint Commission, LegitScript, and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). If a facility (and their website) are certified by one or all of these agencies, you can trust that they provide high-quality care, and meet very high standards for patient safety, and the efficacy of the treatments they provide.Â
Therapies and Treatments You’re Interested In
While cognitive behavioral therapy and group psychotherapy are standards in most treatment centers, does the rehab you’re considering have additional options that you’re interested in? For example, some treatment centers offer art therapy, healthy living courses, help finding work after treatment, holistic healing practices, exercise classes, and more. Finding treatments that will engage you and help you meet your post-rehab goals will make you more likely to stick with your treatment to the end.Â
A Customized ProgramÂ
Every person is unique, not only in what type of substances they’ve been using, but also in the way they think, their lifestyle, what they’ve been through in the past, their interests, the way they process their emotions, and what they hope to get out of their time in rehab. Choosing a rehab center that provides custom care and programming to each patient will ensure you’re having your unique needs met as you work toward achieving your future goals.Â
A Comfortable, Welcoming SpaceÂ
You want to feel at home while in rehab. Detoxing from drugs and alcohol, delving deep into our emotions and our past, and overcoming the stigma of addiction puts us in a vulnerable position. It is very hard work, and at the end of the day we want to feel comfortable, safe, and cared for. Choosing a treatment center that offers delicious food, luxurious amenities, a comfortable private or semi-private room, and fun activities to help wind down after a hard day will give you the strength to move forward in treatment, so you are better able to open up and accept treatment.Â
Tips for Planning Your Medical Tourism Journey to Florida
The following are some of the top tips for receiving treatment in Florida when traveling from outside the state:
- Research the facility as thoroughly as you can before going. Check accreditations, learn who will be providing treatment to you, and check out their online reviews.
- Schedule an in-person consultation if possible, so you can see the facility for yourself, take a tour, and speak to professionals about what types of care may work best for you.
- Arrange for long-term care after your time in rehab is complete. For some, attending virtual check-ins with their therapist may be enough, but most people will benefit from researching local 12-step groups and sober communities in their area. The more support you can rally around yourself when you return home, the better.
If you’re looking for a luxury facility with evidence-based treatments combined with alternative holistic care, look no further than WhiteSands Treatment. We are an accredited network of treatment centers across Florida offering all levels of comprehensive care, from inpatient addiction treatment to outpatient options and beyond, and we accept out-of-network insurance. To learn more, please call us today at 877-855-3470 or contact us online. We’re here to help.
If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.
About the Author
Jackie has been involved in the substance abuse and addiction treatment sector for over five years and this is something that she is truly eager about. She has a passion for writing and continuously works to create informative pieces that not only educate and inform the public about the disease of addiction but also provide solutions for those who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.
