How to Pay for Rehab: Tips for Paying for Addiction Treatment

For individuals struggling with a substance use disorder (SUD), one of the first thoughts is probably how to pay for rehab. This is a normal concern for many because most people aren’t sure whether their health insurance covers rehab. Still, there are many options whether you’re using insurance or not. Insurance, or the lack of it, should not prevent you from pursuing recovery. If you are distressed about paying for rehab, here is some information you need to have.

Health Insurance

The ACA Marketplace

If an insurance company wants to be part of the Affordable Care Act Marketplace, it has to cover certain health conditions. Among them is coverage for mental health issues and paying for addiction treatment.

Private Insurance

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) of 2008 was enacted to prevent health insurance companies and group health plans that offer substance use disorder benefits from limiting those benefits. They are required to provide coverage that is equal to the medical and surgical benefits provided in their plans. The ACA amended it in 2010 to include individual health insurance coverage. Because of these changes, insurance companies that aren’t in the marketplace have begun paying for addiction treatment.

Medicaid for Substance Abuse Treatment

Medicaid is the largest healthcare insurance program in the U.S. It’s a combined federal and state program that provides low-cost or free insurance coverage to low-income individuals who are:

65 or older
19 or younger
Pregnant
Disabled
Caring for a child

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), eligibility for coverage through Medicaid has been expanded to include other groups and income levels, depending on your state. If you applied before 2010 and were denied, try re-applying. However, not all treatment facilities accept Medicaid. To find one that does, check SAMHSA’s Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator tool.

Medicare

Medicare is a federal insurance program. If you are receiving Social Security benefits for more than two years, you will be enrolled in Medicare automatically. It provides medical coverage for individuals who are:

65 or older
Living with certain disabilities at any age
Living with end-stage renal disease (ESDR) or ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease).

Medicare covers certain screenings, programs, and services that help in the treatment of mental health and SUDs,

How to Pay for Rehab Without Insurance

Paying for rehab without insurance is one of the biggest barriers to seeking treatment. It can be overwhelming, but there are ways to get treatment without enrolling in a health insurance plan. Always remember, investing in drug rehab is one of the best investments you can make for your future. If you need rehab for a drug or alcohol addiction but don’t have insurance there are other options available to help you pay for addiction treatment.

Loans and Credit Plans

There is several financial institutions that specialize in providing loans or credit for healthcare issues. And SUD is one of those issues. Healthcare loans usually have lower interest rates and are typically flexible enough to cover the whole cost of your treatment.

Depending on your credit, your loan amount will vary. Getting your finances in order before choosing a treatment center will help you enter treatment with more confidence. The following are a few companies that provide financial options for individuals who need drug rehab:

Your Personal Bank

You may want to contact your current financial institution that you use for your day-to-day banking to see what loan options they have available.

Friends and Family

If you have friends or family who are able, you might consider asking them for a personal loan and paying them back on mutually agreed terms.

Prosper

Prosper is another company that provides healthcare financing with low-interest rates and fixed monthly payments.

LightStream

Depending on your credit, you may qualify for a medical loan between $10,000 and $24,999. Visit their website here and figure out your monthly payment.

Low-Interest Credit Card

There is another way to pay for your treatment without insurance or to pay for the expenses not covered by your insurance (copays or deductibles). That is to apply for a low-interest credit card and pay it back as you’re able. These credit companies specialize in financing healthcare:

CareCredit

You may want to contact your current financial institution that you use for your day-to-day banking to see what loan options they have available.

AccessOne Credit

You may qualify for a flexible loan to help pay for your treatment. You can call 1-888-458-6272 to speak to one of their patient advocates or apply online here.

United Medical Credit

UMC offers loans up to $25,000 for healthcare costs. Some even have interest-free financing. You can start an application by going to the website.

Payment Plans at Treatment Facilities

When you’re researching treatment facilities, mention your financial concerns and needs and ask if they offer sliding scale costs. Fees would be based on your insurance coverage and your ability to pay. Also, ask if they offer financing such as low monthly payments instead of paying all costs upfront.

Treatment Variables

Because there are many types of rehab programs and facilities available, there is a good possibility that you will find a payment arrangement that works for you. When you consider the cost of treatment, you need to take into account the variables that go into a program. Some of these variables include:

The severity of your condition
The substances you are using
The type of program you’ll need
How long you’ll need treatment

Other issues that affect costs include:

Larger programs typically have lower costs per client
If you visit more often, there will be increased costs.
If you stay longer, there may be higher costs per episode, but the general daily costs are lower.
Larger programs for residential and methadone treatment are connected to lower per-client costs.

Treatment Levels

paying for rehab treatment When you begin a SUD recovery program, there are several levels of treatment. You might need more than one treatment level before you finish your addiction program. Depending on your particular situation, you might need to transition from an intense program to a less intense program or vice versa. A different approach is offered at each level and where you start depends on your condition. The treatment levels are:

Residential Rehab – Inpatient or residential rehab is the most intensive and provides round-the-clock monitoring while you live at the treatment center. You are provided with a safe, sober, environment so you can focus on your recovery without distractions. This is the highest level of care.

Partial Hospitalization Program – PHPs are similar to inpatient treatment, but you may go home each night. You spend 4 to 8 hours per day for at least five days per week.

Intensive Outpatient Program – More intensive than OP, intensive outpatient programs are sometimes used as a step down from residential or PHPs.

Outpatient Treatment – OPs allow you to continue to live at home full-time while receiving clinical treatment services at the treatment facility. Outpatient services are less expensive than residential or inpatient programs.

Cost Factors

Factors that influence the cost of rehab programs include health insurance plans and the intensiveness of the treatment plan that you need. The least expensive treatment centers are state-run facilities. However, they typically have longer wait times for treatment and limited treatment programs compared to privately owned facilities. In addition, the length of time you may need in treatment may double the fee.

Write Your Next Chapter

You don’t have to continue to struggle with substance abuse. Chapters Recovery Center in Danvers, MA, has treatment programs to serve you at any level. Our team will be with you every step of the way along your path to sobriety and lifelong recovery.

In addition, we can provide specific programs for men or women. And if you are also suffering from a mental health issue, we also have a dual diagnosis program. If your loved one is reluctant to seek treatment, we have professional interventionists who can help you stage an intervention to help you get your loved one into rehab.

SUD treatment is not something that can wait. It only gets worse. Contact us today. Let’s discuss what we can do for you and how we can make that next chapter happen.