Magellan Health is one of the largest behavioral health benefit administrators in the country, managing mental health and substance use benefits for employer plans, EAPs, and government contracts. This page explains how Magellan handles authorization and coverage across levels of care.
Direct answer
Magellan Health administers behavioral health benefits for many employer, EAP, and government plans. Coverage for medically necessary detox, drug rehab, mental health treatment, and outpatient rehab is typical when authorization is in place. Real Deal verifies Magellan benefits before you start.
Magellan Health (a subsidiary of Centene Corporation since 2022) administers behavioral health benefits and Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) for large employer groups, state Medicaid programs, and federal contracts. Magellan is a carve-out administrator — members' medical benefits may be with another carrier while behavioral health is managed by Magellan.
Magellan Health covers behavioral health at every level of care under federal parity law. Here’s what that means, level by level.
Magellan authorizes medically necessary detox under the underlying plan's benefits. Detox requires prior authorization and medical necessity documentation.
Typical requirements
Magellan authorizes drug and alcohol rehab at multiple levels of care under employer, EAP, and government plans. Specific benefits depend on the underlying plan design.
Typical requirements
Magellan manages outpatient mental health authorization and provider networks for employer and EAP plans. Coverage includes therapy, psychiatric evaluation, and medication management under parity.
Typical requirements
Magellan authorizes PHP and IOP under employer plans they manage. Prior authorization and concurrent review are standard.
Typical requirements
Not sure what plan you have? Grab your card and call 469-747-1201. Verification is free and takes about 15 minutes — we’ll tell you your estimated out-of-pocket before you commit.
Free confidential verification. About 15 minutes. We tell you the estimated cost before you start.
Call 469-747-1201
We work with the plans below. If yours isn’t listed, call anyway — we probably still work with you.
“Real Deal is without a doubt the most structured and therapeutic rehab program I have ever attended. It has brought me to one year in sobriety and I don't know what I would have done had I not participated in the program. I highly recommend Real Deal to anyone struggling with alcohol and/or drugs. It's amazing. Just try it and you will see for yourself!”
“Realdeal wellness and therapy will always have a special place in my heart for all the opportunities and care they've provided. They helped pave the way for me to achieve sobriety and build a better life for myself and when I needed them the most they were there in a heartbeat. Extremely grateful for their services and the environment they provide for recovery.”
“Real deal is a truly rare place that has instrumental in my rehabilitation. The staff truly cares deeply about you and wants you to succeed. Also Real Deal is one of not many outpatient rehab places that takes primary mental health cases. Highly recommend this place and thank you to everyone who helped me.”
“I love all of these guys. These guys made me feel better. They made me think better. I don't feel those ways anymore. Before I came here, I was certain I wouldn't be alive for much longer. These guys fixed that.”
“The Real Deal is an incredible program that prioritizes accessibility more than almost any other PHP, IOP, and Housing program. With housing fees at lower price point than a majority of sober livings, the option to have your pet with you, and a supportive recovery community, they really do try to eliminate barriers to care as much as possible.”
“Real Deal is different then the others. It offers flexible support for recovery, allowing you to live at home while attending therapy and counseling sessions. It's designed to fit your schedule and provides tools to maintain sobriety and prevent relapse. The focus on mental health is a great way to get to the root of what's gone wrong time and time again. Cannot recommend enough!”
“Real Deal is full of people who are passionate in helping others obtain and maintain their sobriety. They are always willing to lend a helping hand without judgement. They also have employees with real world experience using their own experiences to help others heal.”
Straight answers before you call.
Magellan is a behavioral health benefits manager — they handle mental health and substance use coverage for many employer and government plans, even when the medical benefits are with another carrier.
Yes. Magellan authorizes medically necessary substance use and mental health treatment at every level of care, following the underlying plan's benefits.
Usually, yes — for detox, residential, PHP, and IOP. Magellan reviews medical necessity and issues authorization for a specific number of days/sessions.
EAP referrals typically cover a set number of assessment and short-term therapy sessions at no cost. If additional treatment is needed, benefits transition to the underlying medical plan.
