1. Where can a person with no money and no insurance get treatment?
2. Will my insurance cover the cost of treatment?
3. Is everything I say confidential
4. What type of addictions does Sacred Heart offer treatment for?
5. If an alcoholic/drug addict is unwilling to seek help, is there any way to get him or her into treatment?
6. What Can I bring into residential treatment?
Q: Where can a person with no money and no insurance get treatment?
A: In many cases Sacred Heart works with County Agencies where you live to provide low cost treatment to individuals seeking substance abuse treatment. To find out if your county is one click this link. Sacred Heart is dedicated to preserving its "grass roots", community orientation. Often times, your health insurance may pick up part or all of the cost of substance abuse treatment. Our philosophy continues to be, as it has been from the beginning, to remove any barriers to those in the community who need our help. Donations enable Sacred Heart to maintain its independence and to respond to all appropriate requests for service.
Q: Will my insurance cover the cost of treatment?
A: There are many different types and levels of insurance coverage for mental health and substance abuse treatment. In order to determine if you have a policy that provides any level of coverage, our admissions staff will need the following information:
1. The name, social security number, date of birth, and name of employer for the policy holder
2. The name, social security number, and date of birth for the person seeking treatment.
3. The name of the insurance company and any phone numbers listed on the backside of the insurance card.
With this information, we can determine if your policy will cover our services, if you have any deductibles or co-pays that need to be met and if there are any other requirements or restrictions for using this benefit. It is very important to understand that even if your insurance company provides a benefit for treatment services, this does not mean that your treatment will be automatically covered. Most insurance policies today are overseen by a managed care policy. What this means is that your insurance company reserves the right to determine if treatment is necessary and, as a result, whether or not they will pay for our services. Managed care requirements for your particular type of insurance coverage can be explained in more detail by the admissions staff.
Q: Is everything I say confidential?
A: Because of the sensitivity of your information, confidentiality of your patient records must be scrupulously protected if you are to be encouraged to seek and remain in treatment. Therefore, the regulations are more restrictive of communications in many instances than, for example the doctor-patient privilege. Certain issues and discussions will not be held in confidence. If a client is suspected of abusing a minor or should a client mention that he or she is going to blow up a building or hurt someone physically or kill someone, the Sacred Heart staff have the duty to report such threats. Upon admission you will be given a Privacy Notification to review and all your questions can be answered then.
Q: What type of addictions does Sacred Heart offer treatment for?
A: Sacred Heart offers treatments for a variety of different addictions, included are Alcohol and/or drug dependence. This could also be any medication either illicit or prescribed. We have a medically monitored detoxification program where we can comfortably withdraw people from nearly any substance. Our physicians will prescribe medications to ease your withdrawal symptoms and then proceed to establish a sober baseline.
Q: If an alcoholic/drug addict is unwilling to seek help, is there any way to get him or her into treatment?
A: This can be a challenging situation. An alcoholic/drug addict cannot be forced to get help. Based on clinical experience, many alcoholism treatment specialists recommend the following steps to help an alcoholic accept treatment:
1. Stop all "rescue missions." Family members often try to protect an alcoholic/drug addict from the results of his or her behavior by making excuses to others about his or her drinking/using and by getting him or her out of alcohol/drug related jams. It is important to stop all such rescue attempts immediately, so that the alcoholic/drug addict will fully experience the harmful effects of his or her drinking--and thereby become more motivated to stop.
2. Time your intervention. Plan to talk with the alcoholic/drug addict shortly after an alcohol/drug related problem has occurred--for example, a serious family argument in which alcohol/drugs played a part or an alcohol/drug related accident. Also choose a time when he or she is sober, when both of you are in a calm frame of mind, and when you can speak privately.
3. Be specific. Tell the family member that you are concerned about his or her drinking/drug usage and want to be supportive in getting help. Back up your concern with examples of the ways in which his or her drinking/drug usage has caused problems for both of you, including the most recent incident.
4. State the consequences. Tell the family member that until he or she gets help, you will carry out consequences--not to punish the alcoholic/drug addict, but to protect yourself from the harmful effects of the drinking. These may range from refusing to go with the person to any alcohol/drug related social activities to moving out of the house. Do not make any threats you are not prepared to carry out.
5. Be ready to help. Gather information in advance about treatment options. If the person is willing to seek help, call immediately to speak with a counselor. Offer to go with the family member to help them with getting enrolled and starting the program.
6. Call on a friend. If the family member still refuses to get help, ask a friend to talk with him or her, using the steps described above. A friend who has recovered from alcohol/drug abuse may be particularly persuasive, but any caring, nonjudgmental friend may be able to make a difference. The intervention of more than one person, more than one time, is often necessary to persuade an alcoholic/drug addict to seek help.
7. Find strength in numbers with the help of family members, relatives, friends and a counselor to confront an alcoholic/drug addict as a group.
Q: What Can I bring into residential treatment?
A:
• PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS: These will be collected and reviewed by our physician. They will be stored in the medical area or disposed of by medical staff. All prescriptions MUST be in their prescribed prescription bottle. Every client must have enough of their prescribed medication(s) for their entire length of stay.
• You can bring a multiple vitamin in its original bottle that has not been opened
• TWO pieces of identification (preferably one with picture I.D.)
• PROOF OF INSURANCE (Medicaid card, insurance papers).
• State funded clients MUST bring authorizations, proof of income.
• Deductibles and co-pays if required.
• CLOTHING: Enough for seven days, wash and wear type preferred. You will have access to laundry facilities once per week. NOTE: a maximum of 1 large and 1 small suitcase will be allowed and will be searched at the time of admission.
• Cigarettes are allowed. Smoking is in designated areas only. There are NO vending machines for cigarettes.
