Editorial Guides

2 Evidence-Based Guides on Addiction Recovery

Fact-checked coverage of treatment, insurance, policy, and recovery — sourced from SAMHSA, NIDA, and ASAM clinical criteria.

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EDITORIAL

What 'Medically Necessary' Actually Means in an Insurance Denial

The phrase "not medically necessary" sounds objective. It is not. It is a contested technical standard — and under the 2024 federal parity rule, it is now auditable. Here is how to read it.

Apr 15, 2026

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RECOVERY

The Six Levels of Addiction Care, Explained for People Who Do Not Already Know

Most people searching for rehab do not know there are six distinct levels of care, each appropriate for different clinical situations. This is an orientation — what each level actually involves, who it fits, and how clinicians decide between them.

Apr 8, 2026 · 5 min read

All guides drafted by Pine Valley Recovery editors and fact-checked against primary clinical sources. Last updated April 2026. Sources: SAMHSA, NIDA, ASAM. See our editorial policy.