If you want to recover from opioid dependence, alcoholism, benzodiazepine abuse or other addictive substances, then professional rehabilitation is necessary. However, what could prevent an individual from accepting addiction treatment even in the face of such despair? One of the main reasons is the expected heavy cost of rehab care.
While it’s true that addiction treatment costs have spiked in recent years, it’s also true that you can complete the treatment programs you want without breaking the bank. Hundreds of individuals insured under the Empire Plan have been able to get their preferred level of care without spending too much money out of pocket or falling into mounting debt.
The Empire Plan: A Brief Historical Background
Recreate Life Counseling is a drug rehab that takes Empire Plan insurance, but what is this policy about exactly? Established in 1957, the Empire Plan otherwise known as the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) has been providing public employees of the New York State access to high-quality health insurance packages at an affordable cost.
The Empire Plan is one of the leading health insurance providers, offering wide-ranging coverage for more than 1.2 million state and local government employees along with their loved ones. The Empire Plan arose because of a collective bargain agreement between the State government and employee unions.
NYSHIP provides eligible employees the opportunity to choose between The Empire Plan and an NYSHIP HMO for health insurance coverage. In order to be qualified for NYSHIP HMO coverage, you must be resident in or work in the HMO’S service area.
What Do Empire Plan Health Insurance Benefits Include?
The Department of Civil Services manages the Empire Plan. It provides benefits for the following:
- Inpatient and outpatient hospital coverage
- Medical/surgical care
- Infertility treatments
- Cancer management
- Home care services
- Equipment and supplies
- Centers of Excellence for transplants
- Prescription drugs
- Mental health and substance abuse
If you’re searching for an Empire Plan covered drug treatment program and are interested in verifying your coverage, please contact us for a 100% confidential insurance benefits check.
How Comprehensive Is The Empire Plan’s Coverage For Substance Abuse?
The Empire Plan Mental Health and Substance Abuse (MHSA) Program offers extensive coverage for a host of mental health issues and substance abuse treatment. This coverage includes alcohol and drug rehab. ValueOptions manage the Empire Substance Abuse Program.
Two levels of care are available under The Empire Plan Mental Health and Substance Abuse Program – in-network coverage and out-of-network coverage. If you have any questions regarding your addiction treatment coverage, contact one of our admissions representatives and we will be glad to assist you.
Typically as a policyholder, your Empire Plan should provide coverage for the following medical necessities:
- Outpatient mental health care
- Inpatient/residential rehab care
- Aftercare service following discharge for addiction treatment
- Electroconvulsive therapy
- Ambulance services
- Medication management
- Emergency sessions at any given time
- Substance abuse structure outpatient rehab program and aftercare
- Inpatient psychiatric care and aftercare
What If I Need Help Verifying My Empire Plan Insurance
Here at Recreate Life Counseling, we understand how hard it is to deal with personal addiction or that of a loved one. That being the case, we offer free insurance verification services to clients who feel they can use some help.
With your approval, we can undertake a no-obligation verification of your insurance on your behalf. When we contact your insurance provider, we will find out the following:
- What type of substance abuse services you qualify for
- Your extent of coverage
- Your expected out-of-pocket expenses
- Your expected co-payment and deductibles
By having a clearer picture upfront, you can feel relaxed, knowing that a substantial part of your bills is covered.
If the thought of calling your insurance company makes you nervous, then we can help to take that burden off you, so you can only focus on what is truly important now – gaining long-lasting sobriety.
You Are a Phone Call Away From Getting the Care You Deserve
At Recreate Life Counseling, we are proud to be an in-network provider for The Empire Plan, offering comprehensive addiction treatment services to New York State employees, retirees, and their families. Our programs encompass medically supervised detoxification, residential and outpatient rehabilitation, dual diagnosis treatment, and personalized aftercare planning. By collaborating directly with The Empire Plan’s Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) Program, we ensure that our clients receive the highest level of care with minimal out-of-pocket expenses. Our dedicated admissions team is available to assist you in verifying your benefits and guiding you through the enrollment process, making your journey toward recovery as seamless as possible.
Written by: The Recreate Life Counseling Editorial Team
Editor: Isaac Adams-Hands
Medically Reviewed by: MedicallyReviewed.com
Published on: June 7, 2019
Updated on: August 19, 2025
