Does Highway Healthcare Cover Drug and Alcohol Detox at Briarwood?

Does Highway Healthcare Cover Inpatient Detox?

For most members, the answer is yes. Under the federal parity law and SAMHSA guidelines, substance use disorder treatment — including inpatient medical detox — must be covered at parity with other medical conditions. Highway Healthcare plans generally reflect this requirement.

At Briarwood, inpatient medical detox is staffed around the clock by physicians, nurses, and licensed counselors. It is the safest, most closely monitored level of care available — and for many presentations of alcohol dependence, opioid withdrawal, or benzodiazepine detox, it is medically necessary. Learn more about Briarwood’s medical detox programs and how we match each patient to the right level of care.

What inpatient detox coverage under Highway Healthcare typically includes:

• 24-hour nursing and physician oversight
• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) — including FDA-approved protocols for opioid and alcohol withdrawal
• Daily clinical assessments and vital-sign monitoring
• Psychiatric evaluation when clinically indicated
• Discharge planning and referral coordination to residential or outpatient care

Coverage is subject to your plan’s deductible, out-of-pocket maximum, and any applicable prior authorization requirements. Call (737) 727-4044 and let us pull the exact numbers from your Highway Healthcare plan before your first day.

Does Highway Healthcare Cover Outpatient Detox?

Many Highway Healthcare members qualify for outpatient detox — a medically supervised withdrawal program that does not require an overnight stay. Outpatient detox at Briarwood is appropriate for patients with moderate withdrawal risk, strong support systems at home, and no acute psychiatric co-occurring conditions.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), matching a patient’s treatment setting to their clinical severity is one of the most important determinants of detox success. Our clinicians perform a full intake assessment to determine whether inpatient or outpatient is the right fit — and Highway Healthcare typically covers both levels when medically justified.

Outpatient detox services at Briarwood that may be covered under your Highway Healthcare plan:

• Daily or multi-weekly medical check-ins with prescribing physician
• Medication-assisted treatment dispensing and management
• Individual counseling and group therapy sessions
• Urine drug screening and safety monitoring
• Step-down transition planning to intensive outpatient or standard outpatient care

Review our what to expect during detox page for a day-by-day breakdown of both levels of care, then contact our team to confirm your Highway Healthcare outpatient benefits.

What Are the Typical Copays and Deductibles for Detox Under Highway Healthcare?

Specific cost-sharing depends on your plan tier — but here is what Briarwood’s benefits team typically sees across Highway Healthcare plans:

• Inpatient deductible: Ranges from $500 to $3,000+ per admission depending on plan tier (individual vs. family deductible applied)
• Inpatient copay / coinsurance: Typically $150–$350 per day or 10–30% coinsurance after deductible is met
• Outpatient visit copay: Often $30–$75 per visit for in-network providers
• Out-of-pocket maximum: Once reached, Highway Healthcare covers 100% of in-network costs for the remainder of the plan year
• Prior authorization: Required for most inpatient stays; Briarwood submits this on your behalf

These figures are estimates only. Actual cost-sharing for your Highway Healthcare plan may differ. Complete our verification form or call (737) 727-4044 for your exact benefit breakdown. See also our payment options page if cost-sharing creates a barrier — financial assistance may be available.

What Services Are Not Covered Under Highway Healthcare for Detox?

Even with in-network coverage, some services or circumstances may fall outside Highway Healthcare’s covered benefits. Common exclusions or limitations to be aware of:

• Detox sought without prior authorization when your plan requires it
• Out-of-network facilities and providers (Briarwood is in-network, which avoids this issue)
• Residential rehab stays that begin immediately after detox — these require separate authorization and may carry different benefit limits
• Experimental or investigational medications not on the Highway Healthcare formulary
• Private or luxury amenity upgrades above the standard clinical level of care
• Detox for conditions your plan defines as non-covered (rare, but possible in some limited-benefit plans)

Briarwood’s admissions team identifies potential coverage gaps before admission — not after — so you can make an informed decision. Call us at (737) 727-4044 or explore our admissions process to see how we handle the insurance coordination from start to finish.