Columbia Suboxone Clinic Blog
Recovery Care of Columbia Accepts UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage for Suboxone Treatment
Recovery Care of Columbia is pleased to announce an important expansion in access to addiction treatment across Tennessee: we now accept UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage for Suboxone treatment.
This is the first Medicare insurance option accepted by Recovery Care of Columbia and our sister clinic, Nashville Addiction Clinic.
For eligible Tennessee residents with a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan, this means you may now be able to use your insurance for our 100% virtual opioid use disorder treatment program—without traveling to an addiction treatment clinic for appointments.
Recovery Care of Columbia provides treatment through secure telemedicine. Patients meet with licensed Tennessee clinicians using a smartphone, tablet, or computer from home.
Coverage, copays, deductibles, authorization requirements, and other benefits vary by individual UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan. Our staff can verify your specific benefits before treatment so you understand your coverage and expected costs.
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Is Now Accepted at Recovery Care of Columbia
If you have been searching for a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Suboxone treatment provider in Tennessee, you now have another option.
Recovery Care of Columbia treats Tennessee residents with opioid use disorder entirely through telemedicine.
Our virtual treatment program may be particularly helpful for people who:
- Live far from an addiction treatment provider
- Have limited or unreliable transportation
- Have difficulty leaving work or home for repeated appointments
- Prefer greater privacy when receiving addiction treatment
- Live in rural areas of Tennessee
- Have mobility or other health limitations that make travel difficult
- Want access to treatment without sitting in a clinic waiting room
Patients can participate from communities throughout East, Middle, and West Tennessee, including areas surrounding Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Jackson, and smaller rural communities across the state.
Learn more about our online Suboxone treatment throughout Tennessee.
What Is UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage?
Medicare Advantage—also called Medicare Part C—is an alternative way to receive Medicare benefits.
Unlike Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans include Medicare Part A and Part B benefits, and most also include Part D prescription drug coverage.
Medicare.gov explains that Medicare Advantage plans can have their own provider networks, copayments, coinsurance, authorization requirements, and other rules. Because those details differ from one plan to another, patients should verify that a provider participates with their specific plan before receiving non-emergency services.
Recovery Care of Columbia can help determine whether your UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan can be used for treatment with us.
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Is Not the Same as Original Medicare
This distinction is important.
Recovery Care of Columbia’s new Medicare acceptance currently applies specifically to UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage.
That does not mean we are announcing acceptance of every Medicare product or Original Medicare.
Medicare provides two primary ways for eligible people to receive Medicare health coverage:
- Original Medicare — Medicare Part A and Part B administered through the federal Medicare program.
- Medicare Advantage (Part C) — Medicare coverage administered through a Medicare-approved private insurance company such as UnitedHealthcare.
Medicare Advantage plans may have provider networks and plan-specific requirements that differ from Original Medicare.
If you are unsure what kind of Medicare coverage you have, look at your insurance card or contact us. Our staff can help determine whether your plan is one we currently accept.
UHC Medicare Advantage Is Also Different From UHC Commercial Insurance and TennCare
UnitedHealthcare offers several very different types of health insurance in Tennessee.
Recovery Care of Columbia now works with UnitedHealthcare through multiple insurance categories, but they should not be confused with one another.
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage
This is the newly accepted Medicare coverage discussed in this article.
Medicare is generally available to people age 65 and older, as well as some people under 65 who qualify because of a disability or certain medical conditions.
UnitedHealthcare Commercial Insurance
Commercial UHC plans may be obtained through an employer or another private insurance arrangement.
If this describes your insurance, learn more about our UnitedHealthcare coverage for online Suboxone treatment.
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan / TennCare
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan is associated with TennCare Medicaid, not Medicare Advantage.
Recovery Care accepts all TennCare Medicaid managed-care plans. Learn more about UnitedHealthcare Community Plan and Suboxone treatment.
Not sure which type of UHC coverage you have? That’s okay. Contact our staff and we can help identify your plan and verify benefits before scheduling.
Can UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Be Used for Online Suboxone Treatment?
Recovery Care of Columbia now accepts UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage for our opioid use disorder treatment program, subject to verification of your individual plan, benefits, eligibility, network participation, and any applicable requirements.
Your exact benefits can depend on your specific UHC Medicare Advantage plan.
Before treatment, our staff can verify your insurance and explain available information about:
- Eligibility
- Provider network participation
- Copays
- Deductibles
- Coinsurance
- Authorization requirements
- Treatment-related benefits
We do not assume that two patients with UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage have identical benefits.
You can also review our broader insurance and pricing information for online Suboxone treatment.
What Does Online Suboxone Treatment Involve?
Suboxone contains buprenorphine and naloxone and is commonly used as part of treatment for opioid use disorder.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), buprenorphine is one of the FDA-approved medications used to treat opioid use disorder. When appropriately prescribed, buprenorphine can help reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
At Recovery Care of Columbia, treatment is individualized.
People seek our help for opioid use involving substances such as:
- Hydrocodone
- Oxycodone
- OxyContin
- Percocet
- Heroin
- Fentanyl
- Kratom
- 7-OH / 7-hydroxymitragynine
- Tianeptine
- Other opioids
Starting buprenorphine requires appropriate timing. The safest transition depends on the opioid being used, when it was last taken, withdrawal symptoms, health history, and other individual factors.
Your clinician determines an appropriate treatment and induction plan rather than using the same approach for every patient.
For additional general information about medications for opioid use disorder, visit SAMHSA.
Medicare Advantage Patients Can Receive Treatment From Home
Recovery Care of Columbia operates differently from a traditional brick-and-mortar Suboxone clinic.
Appointments are conducted virtually.
That means an eligible patient can potentially receive care while sitting at home in Columbia, Nashville, Knoxville, Memphis, Chattanooga—or virtually anywhere else in Tennessee.
You typically need:
- A smartphone, tablet, or computer
- Internet access
- A private place for your appointment
- Your insurance information
- Time to meet privately with your treatment team
There is no need to drive several hours simply because the closest addiction treatment clinic is far from your home.
Learn what to expect during your first online Suboxone appointment.
Why Choose Recovery Care of Columbia?
Insurance acceptance matters, but so does the provider delivering your care.
Recovery Care of Columbia provides statewide virtual addiction treatment for Tennessee residents and has developed its program specifically around reducing barriers to opioid use disorder treatment.
Our clinic:
- Operates under Tennessee’s first virtual OBOT medical license
- Is accredited by The Joint Commission
- Is BeSMART TennCare certified
- Provides 100% virtual treatment throughout Tennessee
- Is owned and operated by people in long-term recovery
- Works with our sister clinic, Nashville Addiction Clinic
- Accepts TennCare Medicaid, major commercial insurance plans, UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage, self-pay, and qualifying sliding-scale arrangements
Learn more about our Joint Commission-accredited virtual addiction treatment program.
How to Verify Your UHC Medicare Advantage Coverage
If you have a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage card, you do not need to figure everything out yourself before contacting us.
Our staff can help verify your plan.
The process is simple:
- Contact Recovery Care of Columbia and tell us you have UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage.
- Provide your insurance information through our secure intake process.
- We verify your benefits and determine whether your particular plan can be used with our program.
- We explain the available coverage and cost information before scheduling treatment.
- Schedule your virtual appointment if your coverage and clinical circumstances are appropriate for our program.
Benefit verification is important because Medicare Advantage plans can differ in network rules and patient cost-sharing. Medicare.gov specifically recommends checking whether a provider participates in your Medicare Advantage plan’s network.
Ready to Use UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage for Addiction Treatment?
If you have been putting off treatment because you weren’t sure whether your Medicare Advantage insurance could be used for virtual addiction care, contact us.
Recovery Care of Columbia can now verify UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage coverage for online Suboxone treatment for eligible Tennessee residents.
How Suboxone Treatment Works at Recovery Care
- Register online — choose TennCare, commercial insurance, or self-pay. Takes about 10 minutes.
- Our staff verifies your insurance — usually within 1 to 2 hours of your submission.
- Meet your Suboxone provider by video — using the Spruce Health app on your phone.
- Your prescription is sent immediately — to your preferred pharmacy, or delivered overnight to your door.
- Feel better — most patients feel substantially better within hours of their first dose. Our prescribers will make your transition to Suboxone as smooth as possible.
Call or text (931) 548-3062 to ask about UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage, or begin by reviewing our online Suboxone registration and appointment options.
Coverage and patient responsibility vary by plan. We will verify your benefits before treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions About UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage and Suboxone Treatment
Does Recovery Care of Columbia accept UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage?
Yes. Recovery Care of Columbia now accepts UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage for eligible Tennessee patients, subject to verification of the patient’s specific plan, benefits, network participation, and applicable requirements.
Does Nashville Addiction Clinic also accept UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage?
Yes. Recovery Care of Columbia and Nashville Addiction Clinic both accept UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage. The two clinics operate using the same insurance acceptance, treatment processes, and procedures behind the scenes while maintaining their individual clinic identities.
Does this mean Recovery Care accepts Original Medicare?
No. This announcement specifically concerns UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage. Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare are different forms of Medicare coverage. Acceptance of a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan should not be interpreted as acceptance of Original Medicare or every other Medicare insurance product.
What is the difference between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare?
Original Medicare consists primarily of Medicare Part A and Part B administered through the federal Medicare program. Medicare Advantage, or Part C, is offered through Medicare-approved private insurance companies and provides Part A and Part B benefits, usually along with additional coverage. Provider networks and costs can vary by Medicare Advantage plan.
Is UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage the same as UnitedHealthcare Community Plan?
No. UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage is Medicare coverage. UnitedHealthcare Community Plan in Tennessee is associated with TennCare Medicaid. Recovery Care accepts both categories, but eligibility, benefits, and insurance rules are different.
Can I use UHC Medicare Advantage for telemedicine Suboxone treatment?
Recovery Care of Columbia now accepts UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage for its virtual opioid use disorder treatment program, subject to verification of your particular plan and benefits. All RCC appointments are conducted through telemedicine for Tennessee residents.
Will my UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan pay 100% of my treatment cost?
Not necessarily. Copays, coinsurance, deductibles, network rules, authorization requirements, and other patient costs vary among Medicare Advantage plans. Recovery Care will verify available benefit information before your appointment rather than assuming that your treatment will have no out-of-pocket cost.
Can someone younger than 65 have Medicare Advantage?
Yes. Although Medicare is most commonly associated with people age 65 and older, some people younger than 65 qualify for Medicare because of certain disabilities or medical conditions.
Does Suboxone help with opioid withdrawal and cravings?
Buprenorphine, one of the medications in Suboxone, is an FDA-approved medication for opioid use disorder. SAMHSA explains that appropriately prescribed buprenorphine can diminish withdrawal symptoms and cravings associated with opioid dependence. Individual response varies, and treatment should be managed by a qualified healthcare professional.
Can I receive treatment if I live in rural Tennessee?
Yes. Recovery Care of Columbia serves Tennessee residents through telemedicine. Your location within Tennessee does not require you to live near Columbia. Patients can participate using a smartphone, tablet, or computer, provided they meet the program’s clinical and other eligibility requirements.
How do I find out whether my specific UHC Medicare Advantage plan is accepted?
Contact Recovery Care of Columbia at (931) 548-3062 and tell the intake team that you have UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage. We can verify your specific plan and available benefits before treatment.
Begin Online Addiction Treatment Today—Fast, Private, and From Home
- TennCare accepted — If you have TennCare Medicaid, your Suboxone treatment may be covered at little to no cost to you.
- Commercial insurance accepted — Most major commercial insurance plans cover medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction.
- Self-Pay payment plans — For patients with moderate to high income, with or without health insurance.
- Low-Cost Sliding Scale options — For patients who are uninsured or underinsured, Recovery Care offers income-based pricing so cost is never a barrier to getting help.
- Returning patient? — Restart your treatment by filling-in a short reinstatement form.
We serve patients throughout Tennessee and accept most major insurance plans — including rural areas where transportation is limited and addiction treatment clinics are hours away. Call or text us now at (931) 548-3062 to speak to someone about our 100% telemedicine Suboxone program.