Getting medical treatment through our healthcare system is quite complex with many phone calls and hoops to jump through. Unfortunately, when looking for addiction or mental health treatment, a thick extra layer of confusion and stress is added on, especially when seeking intensive residential rehab care. Wanting Christian addiction treatment makes the search even more difficult. So when looking for Christian addiction residential treatment when you have Medicare, the search is very confusing and frustrating.
But if you have Medicare and desire Christian addiction treatment, have hope! We will give you important information, answers, and help in navigating both the system and your present life storm to get the treatment you need. In fact, this is the very reason I started our Lighthouse Network Helpline, to help people at the most stressed time of their life navigate the very complicated system to find and be admitted to Christian care, regardless of their insurance or financing.
If you would like to speak to one of our Care Guides immediately, contact us at Lighthouse Network 844-Life-Change (844-543-3242) to learn more.
Some answers:
Federal Monies Supporting Christian Treatment
Medicare is a federally-funded program, so many people are under the assumption that federal funds will not allow them to go to a Christian-based addiction or mental health treatment program. The reality is Medicare cannot force you to go to a Christian-based program, but Medicare will fund a Christian program under 2 conditions:
- The Christian program meets the strict hospital-based intensive medical and psychological treatment criteria. It can’t be just a prayer meeting and Sunday service.
- An alternative traditional program is offered so those not wanting Christian treatment aren’t “forced” into religious treatment against their will.
Separation of Church and State is often Confusing
It is impossible to separate church and state as our country is founded on values and morals that are part of almost every religious organization. The First Amendment states that the state or government cannot force religion on any of its citizens. (see the previous point, #2) When a patient qualifies for Medicare, and chooses to go to a Medicare facility that has a Christian program, the government or Medicare does not ever force the patient to be in the Christian program or to convert to the Christian religion. The Christian program cares for and teaches Biblical principles about God and the healing power of Jesus in the Bible to help a person overcome their depression, anxiety, or addiction. Admission to the Christian program is voluntary and nothing is forced or coerced. The patient always has the option of the traditional program.
Pursuit of Faith is Protected in the U.S. Bill of Rights
The First Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights also protects an individual’s right to practice and pursue their faith. A person should never be embarrassed or ashamed to ask their insurance or treatment provider if or what faith background is infused into their treatment process. Each person, under the Bill of Rights, has the ability to choose their own religion and the religious method for treatment they desire. The practice of your religion, even in treatment, is protected by the First Amendment.
Christian Treatment has a High Success Rate
One of the reasons there are a significant number of Christian treatment programs is because of the documented treatment success rate achieved when faith in the God of the Holy Bible and the teaching of Biblical principles is incorporated into a treatment program. This was also the reason for the powerful success of AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) in the past as it was founded on Biblical principles, was based on having faith in God, and taught that practicing Biblical teachings is the best way to recovery and transformation. AA has declined in its efficacy and impact as it has fallen away from Christian principles and adopted a generic “higher power of your own choosing,” or nonspecific spirituality.
Science Supports Faith-Based Treatment
Scientific studies have also shown that when the therapist and the patient have the same faith background, outcomes of the treatment are improved. This occurs even when the therapist does not overtly teach those faith principles while doing the therapy. When the therapist and the patient have the same faith and those powerful Christian faith principles are an integrated part of the psychological therapy, outcomes are dramatically improved. Modern imaging using SPECT scans has wondrously shown the impact of faith, connecting to God, and prayer as having powerful biological impacts on our brain circuitry.
Christian treatment is so successful because it incorporates a Spirit, Mind, Body approach that is based on the truth, The Holy Bible. A Christian treatment program brings together a Christian treatment team and a Christian patient to deliver four powerful components for a more successful, effective recovery:
- The never-ending love and forgiveness of our Creator and Father, God
- The unlimited power of God to overcome temptation and turn around our lives
- Jesus’ sacrifice, death, and resurrection and His instruction and role modeling of how to live the redeemed and abundant life
- The incredible teachings of the Holy Bible for healthy and successful Life Management principles as well as how to bring the power of God into the treatment picture. Together, this means the Bible is God’s instruction manual for life, and by following God’s plan, those in recovery can achieve a transformed life.
To learn more about the benefits of Christian Treatment or to get started on your path to recovery, contact the Care Guides at Lighthouse Network at 844-Life-Change (844-543-3242).