Residential Treatment Centers for Troubled Teens
Abbreviated for this type of location is R.T.C. some insurance companies
will pay for placement in an R.T.C. Usually if they do however, they must
be accredited with the Joint Hospital Accreditation Committee or J.H.A.C.O.
To be J.H.A.C.O. approved there are more requirements that need to be
met than just being licensed as an R.T.C. facility. Usually an insurance
company will pay for around 30 or 60 days in and R.T.C. type facility.
This sometimes is more like a vacation for the teen. The other drawback
is the fact that it is short term. Short term is typically not adequate
to help make lasting changes in a teen’s life.
If you are considering
placement in an R.T.C. you should usually plan on following it up with
a long term follow up placement. This type of placement is usually necessary
if the teen has been abusing a lot of substances and will need a de-tox
period. Residential Treatment Centers are typically more a medical type
placement rather than a boarding school placement. There are R.T.C.’s
however that include education, and behavior modification as part of their
milieu. Again when searching for the best program for your teen this will
be something you should inquire about.
There are long term Residential Treatment Centers that will in some cases qualify for insurance coverage
if the insurance company will work with you. Residential Treatment Centers
vary in price as well as typical length of stay. Sometimes a program will
have two different price structures. They will have one program price
for insured families and one program for non insured families. The program
is in essence giving a discount to the family for bearing the total financial
burden of their teens care. It is good to find out if and what your insurance
plan will cover before you begin the process of searching for a school
or Residential Treatment Center.
If you know what you have to work with
it may save you some time in your search. For example if you are unable
to pay for a program, school. Or Residential Treatment Center and insurance
is your only hope of financially being able to place your teen. You will
need to find out exactly what they are most likely to be willing to pay
for. You can contact your benefits coordinator at work or review your
benefits manual. You can also contact the numbers on the back of your
insurance card. This will require some patients and you should be prepared
to be transferred several times before you find the appropriate person
to give you the answer you are looking for. Be sure to write the name
down of anyone that has been helpful so you can get back in touch with
them directly. If possible have your insurance company send you a letter
stating that they will pay for what you are looking for and if possible
have them send you some choices in their network.
If you find an out of
network program there may still be some help available but usually at
a reduced rate or length of stay. Some R.T.C.’s have a benefit person
in the admission’s office that may be able to help you, but usually
you will have more time, and interest to chase this information down than
they will.
Search for Residential Treatment Centers:
In Recommended Schools
In all schools
|
