How Do I Pay For Alcohol & Drug Rehab?

Paying for alcohol and drug rehab can seem overwhelming and it stops many people from getting the help they need. Addiction treatment is not something you want to put off or go cheap on. There are many ways to pay for alcohol and drug rehab, with or without insurance.

Paying For Alcohol & Drug Rehab With Health Insurance

Most health insurance plans offer coverage for substance abuse treatment services.

Affordable Care Act Health Insurance

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) ensures that all insurance plans in the healthcare marketplace cover mental health services to the same degree as medical services. Addiction treatment falls under mental health.

What your insurance policy covers depends on which plan you choose.

Many providers offer insurance coverage for 30 days in rehab. Some may cover inpatient treatment, others may only cover outpatient treatment. Behavioral therapy, counseling, and some medications are usually covered.

Does Medicaid Cover Rehab?

As a government program, Medicaid is required to cover behavioral health services like addiction treatment. What is covered depends on your Medicaid plan, and plans vary by state.

All Medicaid plans provide some coverage for medication-assisted treatment (MAT), including certain drugs, behavioral therapy, and counseling.

Your eligibility for Medicaid depends on your income. You should be able to get Medicaid if you have no other insurance and are in a low-income bracket. If you have insurance through work but don’t make much money, you can usually get Medicaid as a secondary insurance to cover what your primary plan doesn’t.

Does Medicare Cover Rehab?

Also a government health insurance program, Medicare covers both inpatient and outpatient care for alcohol and drug treatment. It covers rehab as it would any other physical illness. Covered treatment options include:

• psychotherapy
• patient education
• post-hospitalization follow-up
• inpatient and outpatient prescription drugs (such as those used in MAT)

People who are 65 or older are eligible for Medicare. You may be able to get it sooner if you have a disability, end-stage kidney failure, or Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Private Health Insurance

Private insurance doesn’t have to follow the same rules as government-assisted health insurance. However, many plans offer some coverage for mental and behavioral health. Contact your insurance provider to see what they cover for substance use disorders.

What Affects My Cost For Rehab With Insurance?

What you pay for rehab with insurance depends on your plan. Several factors to consider are your co-pay, co-insurance, deductible, and out-of-pocket cost.

Here is what affects your cost for rehab with insurance:

• Co-pay is what you pay at the time of service. It’s typically a small amount which depends on your insurance plan and the type of service you receive.
• Co-insurance is what you pay that your insurance doesn’t. You may have a plan that pays 80 percent of costs—you are responsible for the other 20 percent.
• Your deductible is the amount you have to pay before co-insurance kicks in.
• Out-of-pocket cost is the maximum amount you’ll pay in a year for any type of healthcare. Your insurance will cover the rest.
• In-network healthcare providers cost less than those out-of-network. Out-of-network care may still be covered but to a lesser extent than in-network providers.

What Else Affects The Cost Of Rehab?

With or without insurance, the cost of rehab is affected by several factors. Typically, the more time you spend in treatment and the more treatment options you have, the higher the cost.

Here are the main factors that determine the cost of rehab:

• The level of care: Inpatient programs are more expensive than outpatient programs, and intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) cost more than standard outpatient programs.
• The length of treatment: Addiction treatment programs often charge by the day. The more time you spend in treatment, the higher your bill. But the total cost also depends on where you go to rehab.
• The treatment center: Luxury rehab facilities cost more than standard treatment centers. A 30-day stay at a luxury facility may cost more than a few months somewhere more basic.
• Types of treatment: Specialized care—such as medication-assisted treatment (MAT)—will cost more than behavioral therapy alone.

Paying For Drug & Alcohol Rehab Without Health Insurance

If you’re uninsured, you may feel you can’t pay for rehab. But that’s not the case. The cost of staying in addiction, both relationally and financially, can be much higher. There are payment options if you don’t have insurance.

Payment Plans

Many rehab facilities offer payment plans to clients who aren’t able to pay the full cost upfront. These plans typically require a monthly payment that is more manageable for your situation.

Sliding Scale Fees

Some addiction treatment centers offer sliding scale fees for low-income individuals. These fees require you to pay less based on your income so treatment is more attainable.

Scholarships & Grants

Some alcohol and drug rehab centers give scholarships and grants to people who need financial assistance. To learn more about this option, reach out to a treatment facility you’re interested in.

Low-Cost Or Free Rehab Centers

Many rehab centers that are run by the state or a church provide low-cost or free addiction treatment. These programs tend to have fewer amenities and treatment options, but they’re accessible to low-income individuals. Cost should never prevent you from getting the help you need.

Choosing The Right Rehab Program

Cost isn’t the only factor you should consider in choosing a drug and alcohol rehab program. It’s one of the less important considerations. The relational and financial cost of addiction can be very high. Seeking help now through an effective treatment program is worth it.

The best rehab programs provide personalized plans and evidence-based therapies. Luxury facilities offer more amenities and treatment options that may be what you need to recover.

Many people benefit from inpatient programs that take them away from everyday stress to experience lasting recovery.

To learn more about paying for alcohol and drug rehab or to explore addiction treatment options, contact us at Northeast Addictions Treatment Center today.