Insurance and Payment

What to Expect When You Call

We aim to make the administrative aspects of going to treatment as seamless as possible. We'll work with you to figure out your best options. Whether you are privately paying or utilizing regular insurance benefits, we are dedicated to finding affordable treatment solutions and work with most insurance providers, both in-network and out-of-network, to determine what your policy covers.

We treat addiction, eating disorders, and mental health disorders.
Call 616.202.3326
One of our caring Admissions Specialists will answer. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to ask us.
Have demographic, substance use/eating disorder/mental health, psychiatric, and physical medical history information ready.
Provide your insurance information.
A Sanford admissions team member will assist with verifying your insurance benefits and talk you through your coverage and out-of-pocket costs.
An admissions team member will guide you or your loved one through the admissions process and will help you determine the appropriate level of care needed after we learn more about you.

We work with the following insurance companies and more: Aetna, ASR health benefits, Beacon Health Options, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Care Network, Cigna, Cofinity, First Health, Health Alliance Plan (HAP), Humana, Magellan Health Services, McLaren, Molina, Physicians Health Plan, Priority, United Health Care.

Often when people call, they are overwhelmed; they are calling on what might be a very bad day. But every person who calls Sanford Behavioral Health will know they are no longer alone. We are here to listen and help. Similarly, our team of admissions professionals works with your insurance providers. They will verify the benefits available to you under your policy. We can also assist you in identifying financing options. We do not want the process of paying for your stay at Sanford Behavioral Health to be a difficult experience. It is important to view addiction, eating disorder, and mental health treatment as an investment in your future.

Comfort, comradery, and cleanliness at Sanford West.

Verifying Your Insurance Benefits – Admissions to a Sanford Program (616.202.3326)

When you call us, our admissions team is available to listen and offer an empathetic ear – even if you are just researching options. Our admissions team represents the first line of care you will receive at Sanford. They begin the process by gathering information and explaining our programs. This will help you and your loved ones understand your options. And it will help us determine your best level of care.

If you are calling for a loved one, we gather as much information as we can from you. And at that time, we will also conduct a pre-screening to determine medical and detoxification requirements and the timing and schedule for arrival into a Sanford program. The schedule is dependent upon availability of beds in our Detox and Residential Programs and space in our Outpatient and Virtual Programs.

Insurance coverage is a complex and changeable system, so it is valuable to have someone experienced to work on your behalf. Sanford provides a turnkey solution to your needs, including helping you find another treatment center if a stay at Sanford is not appropriate.

The Sanford Admissions Team

The Sanford admissions team is here to answer questions and provide information about all of our programs. During your first text, email or phone call, we begin to build a medical record and get to know you better. The team works together to determine what is going to be needed and to map out all the options for individuals who are seeking help or for their loved ones or professional referer. Every conversation is unique. The team is ready to manage crises, overcome barriers, and provide voices of reason. And because they work together with other members of the admissions team and medical, clinical, and administrative staff, it assures our clients and their loved ones that they will receive a coordinated effort.

Assessments identify the location of care within Sanford Behavioral Health's campus. They also determine the appropriate level of care, current physical and mental health symptoms, life issues, medical and mental health treatment history, substance use history, family dynamics, trauma history, presence of risk to self or others, and more.

We are going to ask a lot of questions initially, and be prepared for those questions, because we'll want to know where you'll best fit on our continuum of care. Our goal is to put you in the least restrictive level of care possible that's going to help you the most.

Alec Green, Managing Director Sanford Behavioral Health

What is the Cost of Treatment?

A clinical assessment is completed to determine the type and level of care needed, and our admissions team will work with you and your insurance provider to determine costs covered by insurance as well as costs that are your responsibility.

Treatment does have a financial cost. But consider the cost from another perspective. What is the price of avoiding needed treatment?

The actual cost of drugs and/or alcohol
Expense of repeated visits to treatment that does not address all your conditions
Medical costs such as ER visits and hospital stays
Cost of legal help
Lost wages from time away from work due to illness or intoxication or losing your job
The loss of relationships and interests.

Taking therapy outside on a gorgeous day.

What to Expect When You Arrive Sanford West Behavioral Health Campus

When you arrive at Sanford West Behavioral Health Campus, you will be met by an admissions counselor. They will explain the basic operations of the treatment center, give you a tour, and assign your room and bed if appropriate. Your bags will be inspected, and you will be given a drug and alcohol screening. If you are brought to treatment by a friend or family member, they will typically be introduced to a team member and given information about the Family Program. Afterward, you will meet with a therapist for a biopsychosocial assessment. The therapist will determine the complete range of conditions you are experiencing and begin to establish your individualized program. The information you provide is confidential and always received without judgment.

Within the first few days of treatment, you will be assigned your individual counselor. Attention is given to matching the client and therapist based on personality, mental health condition, age, co-occurring disorders, and other defining characteristics.

Upon arrival at a Sanford Outpatient Program, you will also be met by a staff member who is familiar with the admissions process. That person will walk you through the facility and introduce you to your therapist. If you are entering a Sanford Virtual Program, you will typically “meet” your therapist and complete admissions by phone.

We work with most insurance providers, both in-network and out-of-network (Medicare/Medicaid does not participate in our program). Coverage may differ per treatment facility. If you have questions about one of our accepted insurance providers or need more information on another insurance policy, financing, or Sanford program descriptions, call 616.202.3326.

We work with the following insurance companies and more: Aetna, ASR health benefits, Beacon Health Options, Blue Cross Blue Shield, BCN, Cigna, Cofinity, First Health, Health Alliance Plan (HAP), Humana, Magellan Health Services, McLaren, Molina, Physicians Health Plan, Priority, United Health Care.

Treatment Resources

We have chosen Excursions articles and outside resources to provide you with more information about insurance and treatment.

The Collaboration Between Medical and Mental Healt

At Sanford Behavioral Health, we are always looking for new ways to improve the treatment experience for our clients. In a new collaboration with Grand Rapids’ RightCare Clinic, we are streamlining the process for patients who need medical clearance or stabilization before they’re ready to enter treatment for mental health conditions.

Sanford Admissions - An Inside Look

Today, we sat down with Kelly Stone, who spearheads the admissions process, to get an update. Whether you are privately paying or utilizing regular insurance benefits, Kelly’s team is dedicated to finding affordable treatment solutions and working with most insurance providers, both in-network and out-of-network, to determine what your policy covers.

Admissions Specialists - The First Voice You'll Hear

The phrase “dream team” is overused for a reason. It simply describes people who do their jobs well, work well together, and are the kind of folks you would like to have lunch with. They make an organization better. Admissions Specialist Aaron Marshall and Lead Admissions Specialist Jordan Higby are that kind of team.

I Can't Go to Rehab NOW!

Why do individuals or their family members call treatment centers to gather information but put off going to treatment until a future date? Because they know there is a problem but don’t want to impact their day-to-day activities, especially during the holidays or before a milestone event. Sadly, these events present the same triggers that have them calling us in the first place. There is no wrong time to get help for a substance use disorder (SUD).

10 Common Excuses for Avoiding Addiction Treatment

The best gift you can give your loved one is recovery - any time of year!

Report Shows Insurance Falling Short

This week the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury issued their biennium 2022 Report to Congress on the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA).

Announcing In-Network with Blue Care Network of Michigan!

Sanford Behavioral Health is proud to announce that we are now in-network with Blue Care Network of Michigan (BCN) for addiction and co-occurring disorders treatment

Announcing In-Network with BCBS!

Sanford is proud to announce we are now in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) for all for all levels of mental health and substance use disorder treatment.

Don't Wait to Change Your Life—Get in Touch Today

Call us at 616.202.3326 or fill out the form below