If you need to go through an addiction treatment program, you are probably wondering how to pay for drug rehab. Even though rehab is often a necessity for those battling addiction, navigating the cost of rehab can be a significant roadblock. However, despite the fact that this can be quite pricey, there are many financial options available to help you pay for drug and alcohol rehab.
In this post, we explore how to pay for drug and alcohol rehab through a variety of methods. This includes finding health insurance coverage, Medicaid and Medicare, loans, and payment plan options, plus how to cover addiction treatment with sliding scale fees, financial aid, and more.
Affordable Addiction Treatment Programs
Before deciding on how to pay for drug rehab, you need to evaluate the recovery treatment program options available to you. Although treatment can be quite expensive, there are plenty of affordable options that can still help you get started on the road to recovery.
Here are the main addiction treatment programs you will want to consider depending on your recovery needs, goals, and budget.
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient rehab programs, also known as inpatient care, require you to live in a rehab facility for the duration of your program. It usually provides 24/7 support, amenities and services, and is an excellent option for those who have a high relapse risk.
But because you will be living in the facility, inpatient care often comes with a higher cost compared to other treatment options. You also have to consider the amenities involved: luxury rehab centers offering private chefs and spa treatments will likely cost more than the average residential treatment service.
Outpatient Treatment
The alternative to inpatient addiction treatment is outpatient treatment, also known as outpatient programs, which doesn’t require you to live in a facility. You can be part of a recovery program by simply attending the rehab facility. You’re still able to manage other work and life responsibilities.
Outpatient services typically include individual and group therapy, medication management, counseling, and educational sessions. Because these treatment services aren’t always as extensive as other substance abuse treatments, it is often a more affordable and flexible option.
Medical Detox
For those in the very beginning stages of recovery, medical detox is often a necessity. Medically-supervised detox assists you in going through the withdrawal process in a safe and effective way under the supervision of medical professionals.
While this is an effective treatment for addiction rehab, keep in mind it can also be pricey. Medical detox typically requires you to live in a facility until your detox is complete, which adds the cost of room and board, medication, and more.
MAT Treatment
MAT, otherwise known as medication-assisted treatment, allows you to go through the initial stages of rehab under the supervision of medical professionals in a residential program. Similar to medical detox, you may receive medication to help with the withdrawal process. This can make it safer and easier to manage things like cravings.
This is another treatment option that can be quite expensive due to the medication and the residential level of care. Thankfully, affordable rehab services are available to make MAT treatment accessible for many individuals.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Addiction often goes hand-in-hand with other types of mental health and behavioral issues, otherwise known as co-occurring disorders, such as substance use disorder. These co-occurring disorders can include things like mental illness and other types of addictions.
Dual diagnosis treatment treats the whole person, providing additional resources for co-occurring disorders so that you have a better chance of long-term recovery. Addressing both abuse and mental health is essential in dual diagnosis treatment to ensure comprehensive and effective care.
Depending on your specific situation, the cost of dual diagnosis treatment can vary significantly. For instance, if you need to treat a co-occurring mental health disorder such as PTSD, your program may be more expensive since you require a higher standard of care.
Multiple Relapse
For individuals who have experienced multiple relapses in the past, you may want to consider enrolling in a multiple relapse treatment program. This type of program is specifically designed for individuals who are at a higher risk of relapses, tailoring care to the underlying cause of the relapses.
You will be provided with additional support and recovery resources, including dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring disorders and medication-assisted detox. You will also have access to extensive aftercare resources to give you the best chance of recovery success.
Keep in mind that multiple relapse treatment programs are usually residential, which will cost a bit more upfront.
How Much Does Substance Abuse Treatment Cost?
The total cost of rehab may depend on your insurance plan’s coverage, including deductibles, co-pays, and whether you require prior authorization for certain services.
The type of insurance provider you have may also play a role. Remember: public health insurance companies may follow different laws than private health insurance plans. Coverage may also vary depending on whether the facility is in-network or considered an out-of-network provider.
You can also decide to pay for rehab out of pocket. However, keep in mind that this may be the most expensive option.
If you wish to receive addiction treatment but do not have immediate funds, you can search for local support services, grants, loans, or public assistance programs.
We’ll break this down further in the sections below.
Insurance Providers (Public and Private Insurance)
When it comes to the topic of how to pay for drug rehab, the most popular option is using health insurance. Many individuals who have health insurance can use this to pay for a portion or the entirety of their drug rehab treatment. However, this is very dependent on the drug rehab center, your insurance carrier, and the type of insurance plan you are on.
To find out whether or not your insurance will cover rehab, you can check your insurance with the rehab facility you wish to enroll in. They will be able to check your insurance and let you know whether or not their rehab programs are in-network. Keep in mind that even if you have health insurance, that particular rehab facility may not be able to accept it.
You may also need to be prepared for some out-of-pocket costs, even if the rehab facility accepts your health insurance. For instance, it is common for individuals with health insurance to manage co-pays for any treatment they receive.
Here are some examples of popular insurance carriers that may help you cover the cost of rehab:
- United Healthcare
- Cigna
- Aetna
- BlueCross BlueShield
Payment Plans for Rehab Centers
If you don’t have health insurance or it doesn’t cover the cost of drug rehab, you may have the option of paying entirely out of pocket. Keep in mind that not every rehab center allows this, so you will need to do your research beforehand.
If the rehab center does allow private pay, you also need to ensure it provides a payment plan. In most cases, you won’t be able to afford to pay for rehab completely upfront, as this can be a significant expense. A payment plan allows you to pay specific amounts in installments until your bill has been paid off in full.
To determine whether or not the rehab center provides a payment plan and how much the monthly payments are, you may need to call the facility directly.
Financial Assistance for Rehab
Because drug rehab programs are considered to be a type of healthcare, there are financial assistance options available. Usually, these options have strict requirements so that financial assistance is only granted to those who need it the most. Some of the most common include public assistance programs, government-funded grants, and community resources.
Some rehab centers may provide financial assistance through things like payment plans or financing that allows you to pay for your treatment after it has been completed. Sliding scale fees, which adjust costs based on your income, may also be available for those who qualify. If you are a veteran, you may also qualify for financial assistance through the US Department of Veterans Affairs.
Here are some additional financial assistance options that may help you cover the cost of drug rehab*:
- Medicare
- Medicaid
- The Affordable Care Act
- SAMHSA Grants
*Eligibility for these programs may require a demonstrated inability to pay
Medicaid and Medicare for Addiction Treatment
When you are researching how to pay for drug rehab programs, Medicaid and Medicare are very popular options. These payment options are government-funded insurance programs that work similarly to normal health insurance.
Both Medicaid and Medicare can help you cover the cost of drug rehab, but you have to remember that they are designed for specific segments of the population. Because of this, you have to meet the eligibility requirements, which include:
- Medicaid: You must be over the age of 65 or under the age of 19. It is also designed for those with a lower income, so you must meet the income requirements. Medicaid is especially important for low-income families who may not have other means to access addiction treatment.
- Medicare: You must be over the age of 65 and have a legal disability. There may be some exceptions to the age range if you are younger than 65 but have qualifying disabilities.
Keep in mind these programs may also cover mental health services, alcohol rehab, and a range of disorder services, ensuring comprehensive support for individuals seeking recovery.
Grants and Scholarships for Rehab
Society as a whole recognizes the need for making drug rehab programs more accessible to anyone who may need them. Because of this, there are many financial resources available to help you pay for drug rehab if you don’t have the budget to do this on your own. Two financing options that can help you with this include grants and scholarships for rehab programs.
Scholarships are awarded to individuals on a per-need basis, providing either partial funding or full funding for rehab programs.
Grants are another popular option for those who cannot pay for recovery on their own. For example, the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant is a type of block grant administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). These SAMHSA grants support treatment programs for specific population groups, such as pregnant women, postpartum women, intravenous drug users, and uninsured individuals. The Mental Health Services Administration oversees these block grants, ensuring they facilitate access to mental health and addiction treatment services at the state level.
Remember, you may need to do extensive research into the requirements for any grants or scholarships, as these are usually provided in small quantities. For instance, you may need to prove that you are committed to recovery and have exhausted all of your other treatment options.
Low-Cost or Free Rehab Centers
When you are determining how to pay for drug rehab programs in your area, you should consider any low-cost or free rehab options. No matter where you are seeking treatment, you most likely have access to some more affordable rehab options.
State governments and public programs often provide rehab programs and addiction treatment at a reduced cost for those who cannot afford it on their own. These are often managed by the local behavioral health department, which oversees addiction treatment and prevention efforts at the state or local level.
Even rehab centers that are not low-cost, local, or state-funded may provide more affordable options for low-income individuals. However, you will most likely need to meet certain eligibility requirements to get into these types of facilities or get access to a reduced rehab fee.
You may also have access to free rehab centers, otherwise known as nonprofit centers. These are often faith-based treatment centers that are either run by a church or have a strong religious element. The free rehab options you have will depend on where you are located, but some common options include The Salvation Army and the Teen Challenge.
The Pros and Cons of Low-Cost and Free Rehab
No matter what type of rehab center you are looking at, there are going to be pros and cons. In some situations, you may not have many options if you have a very tight budget and limited financial resources.
However, if you do have other options available, here are some of the disadvantages of low-cost or free rehab centers you should be aware of:
- Fewer recovery resources
- Limited staff and medical professionals
- A stronger focus on group treatment rather than individual treatment
- Less family involvement
- Longer wait times
- Limited customization options, such as those for co-occurring disorders
- Less privacy
- More structured recovery approach
Despite these disadvantages, the main thing to remember is that any rehab treatment is better than no rehab treatment. For many people, even the most limited resources are still incredibly beneficial for kickstarting your recovery journey.
Private vs. Public Rehab Costs
If you are ready to start a drug rehab program, you should evaluate whether or not a private or public rehab center is the right fit for you. For most people, the deciding factor will be rehab cost, as private rehab is a much more expensive option than public rehab.
Generally, private rehab will cost a substantial amount while getting treatment. Whereas, public rehab is often low-cost or requires no fee at all.
Here are some additional things you need to consider before you decide on private or public rehab, including how your choice may impact overall healthcare costs in the long run.
Private Rehab Centers
Private rehab comes with many benefits, along with a higher price tag.
Private rehab is much more individualized, providing things like individual therapy, personalized treatment plans, and a holistic treatment approach. These are things that can improve your chances of long-term recovery since your specific recovery needs will be taken into account during your treatment.
Additionally, private rehab centers are much more comfortable, providing private or semi-private rooms and a more comfortable living space. Because people have had to pay to be there, the atmosphere is also more likely to be focused on long-term recovery.
Public Rehab Centers
Even though there are more services provided by private rehab centers, public rehab centers are also very beneficial. The reality is that many people who are battling addiction do not have the finances to cover treatment on their own. They may not have insurance coverage or may not be able to hold down a job.
Many treatment centers are available through public funding, making public rehab centers an accessible option for low-income individuals or those who need free treatment.
If you wish to enroll in a public rehab program, you should be aware that there is usually quite a long wait time. Rehab programs will also be more focused on group recovery, not providing the individual approach of a private program.
There will be more people going through recovery, fewer accommodations, and fewer staff available on site. Despite these downsides, public rehab is still a very good option for those who have exhausted all other financial options.
Crowdfunding for Addiction Recovery
Are you wondering how to pay for drug rehab? If your financial resources are limited, you may struggle to pay for drug rehab on your own. This is not uncommon for those battling addiction, as you most likely do not have a dependable stream of income you can tap into.
However, an individual’s ability to pay should not be a barrier to seeking treatment. Financial constraints should not prevent someone from receiving help if they are willing and prepared to pursue recovery.
Because of this, crowdfunding for addiction recovery is a very popular and effective option for many who are seeking treatment. Crowdfunding is when loved ones contribute to the cost of rehab so that you aren’t footing the bill completely on your own.
A popular way of encouraging crowdfunding is through crowdfunding sites, such as GoFundMe. This site allows friends and family members to contribute directly to the specific cost of care you have estimated. Loved ones can also make payments directly to the rehab facility to ensure funds are being used as intended.
You may even have loved ones who are willing to loan you the money for rehab with the understanding that you will pay them back. This can be a very good option that encourages personal responsibility, giving you the motivation you need to get a job after your program is completed.
Speaking of using loans…
Using Loans to Pay for Rehab
Another option you may have considered when researching how to pay for drug rehab is the use of loans. Although not the best option, it is possible to pay for an addiction treatment program by taking out a personal loan.
There are many different lenders that provide a variety of loan amounts, providing you with the money you need upfront so that you can attend a rehab program. If you qualify for a loan, you will need to make monthly installment payments towards the balance, along with accrued interest.
Even though this can make recovery more accessible, you should try the other financing options beforehand. If you have no other option, you can apply for a low-interest rate loan that has reasonable payment terms.
Before you apply for a loan, make sure you create a plan for how you are going to manage the monthly payments so that you don’t run into things like late fees. You may also want to ask a loved one to help you manage monthly payments if your income isn’t stable.
Start Your Recovery Journey Today at The Lakes Treatment Center
Something that can often get in the way of people getting the addiction help they need is the cost of drug rehab. Unfortunately, rehab programs can be expensive depending on the services provided and the length of treatment. The good news is that there are many options available to help you pay for treatment, whether or not you have private insurance or another type of insurance plan.
At The Lakes Treatment Center, we provide a variety of rehab programs, including more affordable options for those seeking treatment. Our programs provide a holistic approach, addressing the mind, body, mental, and spiritual needs so that you have a better chance of long-term recovery.
Are you ready to kickstart your recovery journey and join an affordable rehab program? Contact us today at The Lakes Treatment Center to get started.
