Does VA Insurance Cover Addiction Treatment?

When you’ve dedicated a portion of your life to serving your country, you deserve comprehensive and accessible healthcare options — especially if you face addiction or mental health challenges. Veterans insurance benefits, provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), can help cover essential medical services, including addiction rehabilitation. However, navigating the intricacies of VA insurance coverage can feel overwhelming. Understanding what coverage is available to you, and how to make the most of it, can be the first step toward recovery.

VA health care plans cover a range of services that treat illnesses, prevent health problems and improve overall functioning. Among covered services for those receiving  VA Health Benefits are those that treat substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health problems like PTSD and depression.

How Do I Get Addiction Treatment Through VA Insurance?

If you’re a U.S. veteran who is eligible for VA benefits, you may have access to many options for substance abuse treatment. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) offers a range of programs for individuals who need support to overcome drug or alcohol addiction. VA insurance coverage typically falls under VA health care benefits (sometimes referred to as the “VA health care system”). Here’s an overview of how it works:

• Enroll in the VA Health Care System: Before you can access addiction treatment through the VA, you must first enroll. You can apply online (via VA.gov), by mail or in person at a VA medical center.
• Determine Your Priority Group: The VA assigns each veteran to a priority group (from 1 to 8) based on factors like service-connected disabilities, income level or whether you served in a combat zone. This grouping can impact your copays and eligibility for certain services.
• Explore Available Treatment Options: The VA offers a variety of evidence-based treatments for addiction, including:
  • Detox and Withdrawal Management
  • Inpatient or Residential Programs
  • Outpatient and Intensive Outpatient Programs
  • Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
  • Mental Health Counseling and Therapy
  • Peer Support Groups
• Make an Appointment: Once enrolled, you can schedule a screening or consultation at your local VA medical facility. A VA healthcare professional can recommend the level of care that suits your needs — whether that’s an inpatient stay, an intensive outpatient program, telehealth counseling or a combination of services.
• Follow Through With Recommended Treatment: If you meet eligibility criteria and your treatment plan is approved, the VA will typically cover many (if not most) costs. Out-of-pocket fees and copays may apply, but these can vary depending on your priority group and income level.

What If I Have VA Insurance and Another Health Insurance Plan?

If you have dual coverage — for example, VA benefits plus a private health insurance policy — you can often coordinate the two to reduce out-of-pocket costs. Here’s how this generally works:

1. The VA Is Usually Your Primary Insurer for VA-Approved Treatment: If you receive care at a VA clinic or hospital, the VA handles billing according to your benefits.
2. Private or Employer-Sponsored Insurance Covers Non-VA Care: If you decide (or need) to receive treatment at a non-VA facility, your private insurance may become primary. In some cases, the VA may pay for a portion of external care, but only under specific conditions (such as Veterans Choice or community care options authorized by the VA).

It’s always wise to confirm coverage details directly with your private insurance provider and the VA. If you’re exploring addiction rehab at a facility outside the VA system — such as The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper — it’s essential to contact both the rehab center’s admissions team and a VA representative to verify your coverage options and any pre-authorization requirements.

Addiction Treatment Designed for Veterans

Addiction often coexists with trauma, anxiety, depression or other mental health challenges common among veterans. Because of this, specialized treatment programs that address the unique needs of veterans are highly beneficial. These programs provide:

• Trauma-Informed Care: Therapists trained in trauma-informed approaches can help veterans work through the emotional wounds of military service.
• Peer Support: Group therapy sessions with other veterans can foster camaraderie, mutual understanding and a sense of belonging.
• Holistic Rehabilitation: Programs often incorporate mind-body techniques like mindfulness, yoga or art therapy that can help with stress management.
• Customized Care for Co-Occurring Disorders: Since substance abuse often intersects with PTSD, depression, anxiety or other conditions, having integrated treatment for all conditions is essential.

As a veteran, you may also have access to specialized VA mental health services to treat underlying conditions that can contribute to addiction. Combining high-quality, specialized addiction treatment with ongoing VA care can help you maintain your sobriety and manage any co-occurring disorders.

Tricare and VA Insurance

Tricare is a Department of Defense health care program primarily available to active-duty service members, retirees and their families — not typically to veterans who have separated from service. However, some veterans might have Tricare if they served long enough to retire from military service or if they have certain medical retirements.

• Using Tricare for Addiction Treatment: If you have Tricare, you can often get coverage for various levels of substance abuse care, including detox, residential treatment and outpatient services.
• Coordination with VA Benefits: If you’re both a military retiree and a veteran eligible for VA benefits, you could have dual coverage. You should decide which coverage is primary (often Tricare for non-VA care) and which is secondary (VA for VA care). Each situation can be slightly different, so verifying your coverage and benefits with both Tricare and the VA is crucial.

Because Tricare caters to active-duty and retired military members, it comes with certain rules and referral requirements that may not apply to standard VA benefits. If you’re unsure how to use Tricare for addiction treatment or how to coordinate Tricare benefits with VA insurance, contacting a Tricare representative is often the best first step.

Medicare and VA Insurance

Many veterans qualify for Medicare at age 65 (or earlier if they have certain disabilities). However, VA insurance and Medicare are two separate programs:

1. Medicare: A federal insurance program for individuals aged 65 and older (or those with certain disabilities).
2. VA Insurance: Health care benefits through the Veterans Health Administration, specifically for eligible veterans.

There’s no direct overlap of coverage between the two. If you seek care at a VA facility, your VA benefits typically apply. If you receive care at a non-VA facility, Medicare may be the primary payer (depending on the type of care and your Medicare plan).

• Addiction Treatment Coverage
  Medicare can cover substance abuse treatment under Part A (hospital insurance) if you’re admitted to a hospital or rehab facility and under Part B (medical insurance) for outpatient services such as counseling or physician visits. To ensure coverage for specific treatments, verify your Medicare plan’s details or consult with a VA or Medicare representative.
• Why Have Both?
  Having both Medicare and VA benefits allows veterans to seek treatment at a wider range of facilities. If the VA facility is far away or has a long wait time, you may prefer using Medicare to go to a non-VA provider. However, the VA won’t pay for Medicare copays or deductibles, so it’s wise to plan accordingly.

Medicaid and VA Insurance

Medicaid is a state-run insurance program for people with low income. Some veterans might qualify for Medicaid in addition to their VA benefits, especially if they have a significant financial need or if they live in a state with expanded Medicaid eligibility.

• How They Interact: Generally, the VA doesn’t bill Medicaid for services you receive at a VA facility. However, if you seek addiction treatment outside the VA network and qualify for Medicaid, your Medicaid benefits may help cover costs.
• Who Is Eligible?: Medicaid qualifications vary by state, but factors like income, family size and disability status play a role. Some states also offer specialized Medicaid programs for individuals with substance use disorders, providing an additional layer of support.

Combining Medicaid and VA benefits can significantly reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket costs for addiction treatment. If you qualify for both, verify how each program can be used in tandem.

Does VA Insurance Cover Mental Health and Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment?

Yes. The VA not only covers addiction treatment but also provides extensive mental health services. Many veterans face co-occurring disorders, meaning they struggle with both a substance use disorder and a mental health issue like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression or anxiety. Integrated treatment is critical for achieving lasting recovery because treating one condition without addressing the other can lead to relapse or symptom flare-ups.

• Covered Services:
  • Counseling and Therapy: Individual and group therapy sessions.
  • Inpatient Psychiatric Care: For severe mental health crises.
  • Medication Management: Prescriptions and follow-up visits with psychiatrists or other providers.
  • Telehealth: Many VA facilities offer telehealth options for therapy and medical management, which can be especially helpful for veterans in rural areas.
  • Specialty Programs: PTSD residential programs, suicide prevention resources and more.

If you’re receiving care at a facility outside the VA system, your VA benefits may cover mental health and co-occurring disorder treatment only if the care is pre-authorized through a VA community care program. This allows veterans to receive care from private providers when the VA can’t provide the necessary services in a timely manner or the distance to a VA facility is too great.

What Benefits Do Spouses and Dependents of Veterans Receive?

Spouses, survivors and dependents of veterans may also be eligible for certain VA health care benefits or other programs, but these can differ from the benefits offered to veterans themselves. Two programs to note:

• CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs):
  • Provides health care coverage for spouses and dependents of veterans who are totally and permanently disabled due to a service-related disability or who died in the line of duty.
  • Includes coverage for many services, such as inpatient and outpatient care, mental health and prescription medication.
  • Addiction treatment may be covered if medically necessary and offered by a CHAMPVA-authorized provider.
• Tricare:
  • Available to spouses and dependents of active-duty service members or retirees.
  • Coverage details depend on the service member’s status.

If you’re a spouse or dependent who qualifies for CHAMPVA or Tricare, you may be able to access substance abuse treatment at VA facilities or in the community, depending on the plan’s authorization. Requirements often include verifying eligibility and ensuring the treatment provider accepts CHAMPVA or Tricare.

Moving Forward With Addiction Recovery

Military service can be demanding and life-changing. Many veterans need specialized support to navigate life after service, particularly if substance abuse becomes an issue. Fortunately, VA health benefits often cover a broad array of addiction and mental health services, giving you the chance to find effective, customized treatment close to home or at a VA facility.

If you are unsure about your eligibility or coverage details, consider taking these steps:

• Contact the VA: Reach out to your local VA medical center or the VA benefits hotline. They can help determine your eligibility, discuss priority groups and confirm which services are covered.
• Speak With a Financial Counselor: If you have additional insurance (private, Medicare or Medicaid), a counselor can help coordinate benefits so you know exactly what is and isn’t covered.
• Research Local Addiction Treatment Options: Some veterans prefer the convenience and specialty of VA-run programs, while others find their needs better met at a private rehab center like The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper.
• Ask About Community Care: If you live too far from a VA facility or need specific treatment unavailable within the VA network, you might be eligible for the VA Community Care Program. This program can authorize private treatment paid for by the VA, but it requires pre-approval.

You deserve thorough, compassionate care that meets your unique needs as a veteran. Whether you utilize VA services exclusively or combine VA benefits with another form of insurance, there are countless pathways to recovery. Getting professional treatment can be transformative, providing you or your loved one with hope, health and a renewed sense of purpose.

Assessing VA Community Care Partner Rehab Facilities 

Many options are available when seeking addiction treatment. Before choosing a VA Community Care Partner facility, assessing whether it’s a good fit is important.

First, it’s wise to choose an accredited facility. Accreditation means the facility has passed rigorous quality standards, so you can be sure you’re receiving evidence-based treatment.

It’s also helpful to consider whether staff are trained in trauma-informed approaches, such as EMDR. These approaches are often beneficial for veterans.

Finally, you may benefit from choosing a facility that provides veteran-specific treatment. For instance, some programs may offer veterans-only support groups so you can connect with your peers. Others may make rooming arrangements based on veteran status, so you’ll room with another veteran.

At The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper, we offer veteran-specific programming, and our Veteran Advocates will walk you through every step of the process so you can access the care you need. Our facilities all undergo the Joint Commission’s full scrutiny for their accreditation, and many of our staff are trained in trauma-informed care and EMDR therapy.