As one of the largest not-for-profit health insurance providers, Kaiser Permanente serves 12.5 million members throughout the United States.1 If Kaiser Permanente is your insurance carrier, your policy should have some level of coverage for alcohol rehab. Alcohol addiction treatment is an essential health benefit in the United States, and all insurance companies are now required to provide at least some coverage for rehabilitation services. Your level of coverage depends on the specific plan you have. Read on to learn more about Kaiser Permanente coverage for alcohol addiction treatment.

Where Is Kaiser Permanente Insurance Accepted?

Kaiser Permanente provides coverage in the following 8 states and Washington, DC:2

  • California.
  • Colorado.
  • Georgia.
  • Hawaii.
  • Maryland.
  • Oregon.
  • Virgina.
  • Washington.

Whenever possible, it’s best to get your healthcare from in-network providers to reduce your out-of-pocket costs. However, if you are away from home, you are covered for urgent and emergency care from non–Kaiser Permanente providers.

Kaiser Permanente Insurance Coverage Plans

Your out-of-pocket cost for alcohol rehab depends on your specific Kaiser Permanente plan. Kaiser Permanente insurance coverage falls into 4 categories:3

Platinum plans: With the highest monthly premiums and lowest deductibles and copays, platinum plans are best for those who routinely rely on medical care and need the most coverage to avoid high out-of-pocket expenses. Kaiser Permanente platinum plans cover approximately 90% of healthcare costs.

Gold plans: Kaiser Permanente gold plans have high monthly premiums but offer lower deductibles and copays. Approximately 80% of healthcare costs are covered by Kaiser Permanente gold plans. If you visit the doctor frequently and/or have chronic medical issues and ongoing medication prescriptions, you may do best with a gold plan.

Silver plans: Silver plans have moderate premiums and costs. Kaiser Permanente covers approximately 70% of costs with silver plans. Silver plans are ideal for those who only occasionally use their health insurance and prefer lower deductibles.

Bronze plans: Bronze plans have lower monthly premiums, but higher cost use (e.g., higher copays and highest deductible). Approximately 60% of medical costs are covered by Kaiser Permanente for those who have bronze plans. If you are in good health and prefer low monthly premiums and are comfortable with higher deductibles, you may opt for the bronze plan.

The monthly premiums for each type of plan vary depending on your location and the number of dependents/who will be covered under the insurance plan.

Does Kaiser Permanente Cover Alcohol Rehab?

Mental health and substance use disorder treatment are among the 10 basic health benefits that all Marketplace insurance plans must cover. This is due to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), which mandates that insurance providers that offer healthcare coverage cannot limit mental health or substance use disorder treatments in any way. This includes Kaiser Permanente plans sold through the Marketplace. As a Kaiser Permanente policyholder, some of your addiction treatment costs will be covered by your insurance. The amount covered depends on your specific plan.

Before selecting an alcohol rehab facility, be sure to verify whether the program or provider you are considering is within the Kaiser Permanente network. This will help keep your out-of-pocket expenses down. Although you can choose an out-of-network provider, Kaiser Permanente will not cover as much of the costs, and your personal responsibility for the cost of rehab will be significantly higher.

If Kaiser Permanente is your health insurance provider, your policy may cover some or all of the following for addiction treatment:4

  • Medical detox: Some drugs as well as alcohol can cause serious physical and mental withdrawal when use is stopped. If you need assistance withdrawing from a substance, medications can be used to help you detox safely and more comfortably. Kaiser Permanente does cover medical detox when it is deemed medically necessary. In some cases, this may require a pre-authorization prior to coverage kicking in.
  • Inpatient or residential rehab: These live-in treatment programs give you the opportunity to live at the treatment facility. Most people stay at inpatient rehab centers for 30 to 90 days, the length of stay depends on individual history and needs.
  • Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs): Sometimes referred to as “day treatment,” these intensive programs allow you to live at home throughout the treatment program while your days are spent at the treatment facility attending therapy and participating in programs to support your path to recovery.
  • Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs): IOPs are best for people who have already completed residential treatment. Most IOPs involve attending treatment approximately 3 to 5 days or evenings/week.
  • Outpatient rehab/therapy: In outpatient rehab, you are able to live at home and attend therapy sessions and other programs at the treatment center approximately 10 to 12 hours a week.

The Kaiser Permanente health insurance plan you have impacts the total cost of drug and alcohol treatment you are responsible for, no matter which services you may need. Some aspects of treatment may or may not be covered depending on your plan and tier level. For some peace of mind, know that at least part of your treatment will be covered by Kaiser Permanente, no matter which plan you have. It’s important to check ahead of time though to avoid any surprise costs.

Does Kaiser Insurance Cover Mental Health Treatment?

Depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mood disorders are common among people with substance use disorders. In fact, more than 8 million adults in the U.S. have a mental health condition along with a substance use disorder.5 When a person has both a substance use disorder and a mental health condition, this is known as having co-occurring disorders or a dual diagnosis.

If you are seeking treatment for a substance use disorder and have a dual diagnosis, it is important to have both conditions treated at the same time, as the conditions can impact each other. Treating just one isn’t usually enough—both disorders should be treated at the same time to achieve the best outcome for you or your loved one.

Mental health and substance abuse treatment are essential health benefits under the Affordable Care Act. As a result, all Marketplace plans, including Kaiser Permanente plans, must cover some portion of the cost to ensure that this type of care is accessible to anyone who needs it. All health plans in the Marketplace are now required to cover behavioral health treatment (e.g., psychotherapy and counseling), mental health inpatient services, and substance use disorder treatment.6


Not sure if your insurance covers alcohol treatment?

Check your insurance coverage or text us your questions for more information.


How to Check My Kaiser Insurance Coverage for Alcohol Rehab

Before selecting a rehab treatment center for yourself or a loved one, check your Kaiser Permanente policy benefits to determine what costs will be covered by the insurance company and approximately how much you will be responsible for paying yourself.

Call the number on the back of your insurance card or log in to your account on Kaiser Permanente’s website to determine what deductible (if any) must be reached before your coverage kicks in, and what copays and other out-of-pocket expenses you will be responsible for paying.

How to Pay Out-of-Pocket Costs for Alcohol Rehab

If your Kaiser Permanente insurance plan doesn’t cover all of your rehab costs, don’t let that deter you from getting the help you need. Being sober means staying alive. And the sooner you get treatment, the sooner you will be on a path to sobriety and wellness. Depending on the rehab center you choose, many places offer scholarships for those with financial need. Most rehab centers also offer payment plans, so you can pay back your out-of-pocket costs gradually rather than all at once. Other rehab treatment facilities offer financing options to help offset your costs.

Verify Your Insurance for Alcohol Rehab

It’s important to verify your insurance before choosing an alcohol rehab center. At American Addiction Centers, we can verify your insurance coverage for you. Complete the form below to enter your information to find out if the facility you are considering is in-network with Kaiser Permanente.

You can also call our helpline at to speak with an admissions specialist who can check your benefits while you’re on the phone.

Learn About Specific Insurance Providers