Freeman Recovery Center accepts First Health Network insurance for Suboxone treatment and Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) at our facility in Dickson, Tennessee. If you or someone you care about is dealing with opioid use disorder and wondering whether your First Health benefits will cover treatment, our admissions team can walk you through exactly what that coverage means for your out-of-pocket costs before you take any next steps. Verification is free, confidential, and available by phone or online.
Does First Health Network Cover Suboxone Treatment in Tennessee?
First Health Network is one of the insurance providers Freeman Recovery Center accepts for opioid addiction treatment, including Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) as part of a Medication-Assisted Treatment plan. Coverage is real, but the specifics depend on your individual plan’s benefits, your deductible status, and the level of care you need. The fastest way to find out what your plan actually covers is to call FRC directly at (615) 645-3677 or submit your information online.
What First Health Network generally covers for opioid treatment at facilities like Freeman Recovery Center includes:
- Suboxone and buprenorphine prescriptions as part of an integrated MAT plan
- Medically monitored detox, depending on plan type and medical necessity criteria
- Residential (inpatient) treatment for opioid use disorder
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
- Dual diagnosis treatment when co-occurring mental health conditions are present
- Counseling and therapy integrated alongside MAT
Coverage levels vary by plan. Some First Health plans function as primary insurance; others operate as part of a network layered with another carrier. FRC’s admissions team handles this complexity daily and will clarify exactly how your specific plan applies.
How Freeman Recovery Center Uses Suboxone Within Treatment
Suboxone is not a standalone fix. At Freeman Recovery Center, buprenorphine-based medications are prescribed and monitored as one component of a broader MAT approach that includes counseling, behavioral therapy, and structured recovery programming. This matters because First Health Network, like most major carriers, requires medical necessity documentation demonstrating that MAT is being used as part of a clinically supervised treatment plan rather than in isolation. FRC’s combined medication and therapy approach is designed to meet that standard from the outset, giving your authorization request the strongest possible clinical foundation.
FRC’s MAT protocol is integrated across multiple levels of care. A patient may begin buprenorphine-based medication during medically monitored detox at the Burns, TN campus, then continue Suboxone as part of ongoing treatment through PHP or IOP at the Dickson outpatient facility. This continuity within a single provider network simplifies the insurance billing process and keeps clinical records coordinated across the full continuum.
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Contact us to schedule a free addiction or mental health assessment as part of our admissions process.
Levels of Care Covered by First Health for Opioid Treatment at FRC
Understanding which level of care your First Health plan covers helps set realistic expectations before you start. Freeman Recovery Center offers a full continuum, and MAT can be incorporated across most of them.
Medical Detox (Burns, TN campus)
The highest-intensity level FRC offers. Around-the-clock medical supervision during withdrawal, with Suboxone or other FDA-approved medications used as clinically indicated. Most First Health plans require medical necessity documentation for detox authorization.
Residential Treatment (Burns, TN campus)
Structured inpatient care ranging from short-term options (7, 14, 21, or 30 days) to longer-term programs (60, 90, or 180 days). MAT continues during residential care when appropriate. Residential benefits typically require prior authorization from First Health.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) (Dickson, TN)
Daytime clinical programming for patients who have completed detox or residential care but still need a high level of support. PHP allows patients to return to stable housing in the evenings. For patients who need temporary housing, FRC’s sober living homes are available as a practical solution.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) (Dickson, TN or via Telehealth)
Several hours of structured therapy per week, with evening sessions available for people balancing work, parenting, or other obligations. IOP is often covered with fewer prior authorization hurdles than inpatient levels and is a common entry point for patients transitioning off higher levels of care.
Check Your First Health Network Insurance for Suboxone Treatment
Our In-Network First Health Network Facilities in Tennessee
Freeman Recovery Center offers rehab in Tennessee that accepts First Health Network insurance, with treatment available across multiple levels of care to support recovery. Our 24/7 detox and residential inpatient facility is located at 1615 HWY 96, Burns, TN 37029, where clients receive medical supervision, counseling, and structured therapeutic support, while PHP, IOP, and outpatient programs are available at 250 State St, Dickson, TN 37055, providing flexible care as recovery progresses.
What the Insurance Verification Process Looks Like at FRC
A lot of people put off calling because they assume the insurance conversation will be complicated or that they will be pressured into something before they have answers. That is not how admissions works at Freeman Recovery Center.
The process is straightforward:
1. Call or submit online. Reach the admissions team at (615) 645-3677 or email our admissions.
2. Provide your First Health Network member ID. The admissions team contacts First Health directly to confirm active coverage, in-network status, applicable deductibles, copays, and what levels of care are authorized.
3. Receive a clear explanation of your benefits. Before you make any decisions, you will know what First Health will cover, what FRC’s standard rates are, and what your realistic out-of-pocket exposure looks like.
4. Move forward on your timeline. Same-day admissions are available. If your situation is urgent, FRC can begin the intake process the same day benefits are confirmed.
This process is entirely free and does not obligate you to enroll. The goal is to remove financial uncertainty so it does not become a reason to delay getting care.
When First Health Covers Both Suboxone and Co-Occurring Mental Health Treatment
Many people dealing with opioid use disorder are also managing depression, anxiety, PTSD, or other mental health conditions that developed alongside or prior to substance use. First Health Network plans typically include dual diagnosis care under behavioral health parity provisions, meaning mental health and substance use treatment must be covered at levels comparable to medical care.
Freeman Recovery Center’s dual diagnosis programming addresses both issues within the same treatment plan. A patient receiving Suboxone for opioid use disorder may also receive trauma-informed counseling, DBT for emotional regulation, or psychiatric evaluation through the integrated care model that includes Freeman Health Partners, FRC’s sister organization. This matters for insurance purposes because dual diagnosis treatment is coded and billed to reflect both diagnoses, which can affect prior authorization requirements and benefit caps.
If you have a co-occurring condition, let the admissions team know during the benefits verification call. They can ensure the right clinical documentation is in place to support your full coverage claim from the start. You can also learn more about FRC’s approach on the Dual Diagnosis treatment page.
How Much Does Suboxone Treatment Cost With First Health Insurance?
The cost of Suboxone treatment at Freeman Recovery Center depends on your First Health plan’s deductible, coinsurance rate, and what levels of care are authorized. Without insurance, a 30-day residential stay at FRC runs approximately $18,000. With First Health coverage, what you actually pay out of pocket can be substantially lower depending on your deductible status and plan tier.
Key cost factors to clarify during your verification call:
- Whether you have met your deductible for the year
- Your coinsurance percentage after the deductible (e.g., 20% vs. 30%)
- Whether FRC is in-network or out-of-network for your specific First Health plan
- Whether your plan requires a referral or prior authorization before treatment begins
- How your plan handles out-of-network benefits if FRC is not listed as in-network
Out-of-network coverage does not necessarily mean treatment is uncovered. Many First Health plans include out-of-network benefits that still cover a significant portion of treatment costs. FRC’s admissions team can explain how to use those benefits if applicable.
For patients whose insurance does not cover the full cost, additional options include sliding-scale payment through Freeman Health Partners and state-funded coverage through TennCare/Medicaid, depending on eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions: First Health Network and Suboxone Care
Is Medication-Assisted Treatment covered by First Health Network?
MAT is covered under most First Health plans when it is part of a clinically supervised treatment plan. Coverage typically applies to FDA-approved medications including buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) and naltrexone, combined with counseling and therapy.
Does First Health cover inpatient rehab and MAT together in Tennessee?
Yes, in most cases. Residential treatment with integrated MAT is coverable under First Health plans when medical necessity criteria are met. FRC’s clinical documentation process is designed to support prior authorization requests.
What opioid addiction treatments does First Health Network pay for?
Depending on your plan, First Health can cover medically monitored detox, residential treatment, PHP, IOP, standard outpatient, MAT medications, and counseling for opioid use disorder. Prior authorization may be required for higher levels of care.
How much does Suboxone treatment cost with First Health insurance?
Your actual cost depends on your deductible status, coinsurance rate, and whether FRC is in-network for your plan. A benefits verification call with FRC’s admissions team will give you real numbers specific to your coverage before you need to make any decisions. Call (615) 645-3677 for a free, confidential review.
Does First Health Network cover telehealth Suboxone treatment in Tennessee?
Freeman Recovery Center offers PHP and IOP via its Freeman Recovery Online telehealth platform. Whether telehealth behavioral health and MAT services are covered under your specific First Health plan is something the admissions team can confirm during the free verification process.
Helps Manage Cravings and Eases Withdrawal Symptoms
Suboxone helps you manage cravings by partially activating opioid receptors in your brain without producing a full high. This reduces the urge to use and eases uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. When cravings are under control, you can focus more clearly on your recovery goals. It’s a key part of effective medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder in Tennessee.
Enhances Day-to-Day Functioning and Well-Being’
With Suboxone, you may find it easier to regain control over your daily life. It stabilizes your mood, reduce anxiety, and improve your ability to focus. This support allows you to return to work, rebuild relationships, and participate in activities you enjoy. As part of medication-assisted treatment, it supports both physical recovery and emotional well-being.
Contributes to Overdose Prevention in Opioid Recovery
Suboxone lowers your risk of overdose by blocking the effects of stronger opioids. If you relapse during recovery, the medication can prevent the full effects of other opioids from reaching your brain. This built-in safety feature makes it a vital tool in relapse prevention and protects you during vulnerable stages of opioid addiction recovery.
First Health Rehab Programs for Substance Addiction
Freeman Recovery Center accepts First Health insurance for a variety of substance-specific rehab programs. Whether you’re struggling with cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, or Suboxone dependence, our Tennessee treatment centers provide evidence-based care. Review the First Health–approved programs below to find the right option for you.
Statistics and Insights on Suboxone Treatment in Middle Tennessee
- The University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service states providers in Tennessee are no longer required to register with the DEA to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder.
- According to SAMHSA, 131 substance use treatment facilities in Tennessee prescribe Suboxone or other medications combining buprenorphine with naloxone.
- According to a report from the Tennessee Department of Health-Office of Informatics & Analytics, approximately 16% to 17% of patients discharged from outpatient care following a heroin overdose had filled a buprenorphine prescription in the year leading up to and following the overdose.
- In 2023, the buprenorphine dispensing rate in Tennessee was 10.4 per 100 people, according to the CDC.
- According to JAMA, in 2019, almost 75% of U.S. adults who reported using buprenorphine in the past year did so without misusing their prescription. Among people who did misuse buprenorphine, most reported using prescription opioids without their own prescriptions.
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