How Do I Pay For Alcohol Rehab?

The Cost Of Alcohol Rehab

The cost of rehab is different for everyone entering alcohol addiction treatment due to the many factors, including:

Type Of Treatment Needed

The level of care necessary can greatly affect the cost of treatment. For example, entering an inpatient detox program in a hospital setting will cost more than entering an outpatient detox program. Addiction treatment options may include detox, inpatient rehab, residential rehab, partial hospitalization, outpatient programs, and medication management clinics.

Rates will vary, such as:

• Inpatient drug detox can range from $200 to $1,000 daily, depending on the treatment medication and care needed to help you detox.
• Outpatient programs can cost between $2,000 and $12,000 for 12 to 16 weeks, depending on program inclusions, such as medication management, individual counseling, and family therapy.
• Intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs can incur monthly costs between $3,000 and $10,000.
• Inpatient and residential programs are typically $1,000 daily or more, depending on added care and services.

Length Of Stay

How long you stay in treatment will impact the cost of services. Many people benefit from staying in varying levels of treatment for a year or longer, which can mean having alcohol treatment costs that include inpatient and outpatient services. Although the price may be higher, the success rates are also higher.

Traditional And Alternative Therapies

Today, treatment programs typically offer traditional and alternative therapies, all of which can vary in price. Psychotherapies include behavioral therapy like cognitive-behavioral therapy or acceptance and commitment therapy.

Alternative therapies may include acupuncture, acupressure, massage, or equine therapy. They are more expensive than traditional ones, and depending on the provider, some can cost between $50 and $100 an hour.

Paying For Rehab With Insurance

By law, health insurance providers are required to cover treatment for substance use and mental health disorders. Most health insurance providers have websites where you can view the specifics of your plan. You can also call a toll-free phone number on your health insurance card to determine what your plan covers.

Insurance usually won’t begin covering expenses until you meet a deductible, and you may have to pay a copay. Health insurance for alcohol rehab can still be a tremendous way to keep out-of-pocket costs low. Also, choosing a treatment provider that is “in-network” with your insurance company can reduce costs.

Medicare And Medicaid

Medicare and Medicaid are two of the largest health benefits networks in the United States. Medicare is federally based, and Medicaid is state-based. Both offer insurance and other benefits to participants based on factors like income, disability, age, and special circumstances.

To qualify for Medicare, you must:

• Be over 65 years of age.
• Be eligible for retirement benefits through Social Security.
• Be receiving disability benefits from Social Security for at least two years.
• Have end-stage kidney disease at any age.

You can visit Medicare.gov to start an application or get more information. They also have a toll-free number you can call if you prefer to talk to a representative.

To qualify for Medicaid, you must:

• Be a citizen of the United States.
• Be a resident of the state in which you are applying.
• Meet specific age requirements, like being under 65.
• Meet specific income requirements.

You may also qualify if you are pregnant or have a disability at any age. Your state’s requirements can be found online.

Tricare

Tricare is a healthcare insurance provider that works specifically with the military. According to Tricare’s website, to be eligible for Tricare, you must be:

• An active service member
• Family of an active service member
• A National Guard or Reserve member
• Family of a National Guard or Reserve member
• A survivor of war or combat duties
• A former spouse of a military service member
• A Medal of Honor recipient or their family

Others registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System may also qualify. It is essential to consult with Tricare representatives regarding coverage for substance abuse treatment.

Alcohol Help is not affiliated with any insurance.

How To Pay For Rehab When You Don’t Have Insurance

If you do not have insurance for alcohol rehab and haven’t applied for Medicare or Medicaid, don’t give up your fight to get the help you deserve. There are several other options to help with paying for rehab.

State And Local Government Programs

Local government agencies, like your county’s drug and alcohol or mental health department, receive funding yearly from state and federal programs. Government funding will sometimes cover the costs of alcohol treatment inpatient and outpatient services for people who cannot afford it.

Contact your county’s behavioral health or drug and alcohol department to apply. You will be given a comprehensive assessment to determine which level of treatment you need, inpatient or outpatient. They will help you contact a provider to enroll and will take care of the paperwork behind the scenes with the provider. The provider will be an agency that accepts state funding, so you won’t be able to choose the treatment center.

SAMHSA Grants

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) offers grants to treatment centers and local agencies to pay for inpatient or outpatient services for people who cannot afford treatment on their own. The SAMSHA block grants may vary depending on high-priority cases when referring people for treatment. For example, some grants are specifically for pregnant women. Other grants may be for injection users. Funding also helps:

• People without insurance
• Cover expenses not covered by insurance companies
• Prevention services

Non-Profit Treatment Centers

SAMSHA gives hundreds of millions of dollars in grant money to thousands of public and private non-profits nationwide every year. Much of this money is specifically earmarked for substance abuse treatment; between SAMHSA money and donations, some treatment centers may offer their services for free or for a reduced alcohol treatment cost.

SAMHSA’s website provides locators that help users find substance abuse and behavioral health treatment. One search filter specifically targets providers offering free services. Additionally, sometimes churches or civic organizations in one’s community can provide resources.

Fundraising Or Crowdfunding

If you are interested in crowdfunding, you can ask someone you trust to help you set up a GoFundMe account and share it on social media. Be honest and explain your plans to change your life. Family, friends, and even strangers will often want to help you succeed. They may share your GoFundMe post, leading to donations from people you don’t know.

If you are uncomfortable with a crowdfunding campaign, you can sell items on eBay to raise money or borrow money from family members. Some local churches have funds set aside to help people in need. Ask them to contribute to your stay in treatment.

Using COBRA To Pay For Rehab

If you have insurance through an employer but are no longer employed, you can extend the insurance through the Consolidate Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). In many cases, the COBRA coverage for treatment stays the same, but the price dramatically increases. So, if the insurance plan you chose while working for a company covered or partially covered drug and alcohol treatment, your COBRA plan should also.

Most companies have an employee assistance program (EAP) or human resources department where a representative can explain the details of your COBRA plan. It is imperative to meet with them so you can know the alcohol treatment costs.

Indian Health Service/Tribal/Urban Funds

Indian Health Service (HIS) is a government program that fights drug and alcohol addiction in tribal communities. It awards numerous grants annually to local agencies for all levels of addiction treatment, including prevention and aftercare.

Paying For Rehab Out Of Pocket

Rehabs themselves may offer many alcohol rehab financing options to help you get the care you need. This might include working with a third-party lender to provide loans or offering payment plans that allow you to spread the cost of their treatment over multiple installments. Some rehabs even offer sliding scales for rehab payment options, meaning that having a lower income may qualify a patient for lower fees for treatment.

Are There Free Rehabs For Addiction?

Rehabs that receive state or federal funding to provide drug and alcohol treatment services are free to those seeking treatment who cannot financially afford it. There may be limitations at a free rehab, like you may have to wait a few days or weeks for someone to be discharged, opening up a space in the program. You also do not get to choose which free rehab you go to. An opening at rehab may occur at a location far from your home, which can be a healthy choice for many people.

How To Choose A Rehab

Choosing a rehab may initially feel overwhelming, but help is available to make it easier. Contact a treatment provider today to learn more about your treatment options. They can help answer your rehab-related questions, explore your treatment options, and get you started on a healthier, sober path.