Paying for Rehab

How you pay the cost of addiction rehab will likely depend on the type of rehab program (e.g., residential vs. outpatient) that you opt for, your length of treatment (the ideal length of treatment can vary by substance but most experts advise a minimum of 30 days for in-patient rehabs), the rehab’s location and amenities, and a number of other factors.  This article outlines the different potential payers.  Before you reconsider rehab because it can be expensive, remember that addiction also eats away at family finances, and rehab is a much, much better investment.

Health Insurance

Individuals who have health coverage from major insurers like Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Aetna, UnitedH0ealth, Kaiser, and others may only have to pay their co-payment or a percentage of the expense depending on what facility they choose.  However, this is contingent on the patient having mental health coverage.  The 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act requires that companies that cover both physical and mental health treat them equally, with like co-payments, deductibles, and maximums.  Although this was an important step toward getting the millions of Americans who are addicted into treatment, it only applies to individuals in certain situations.  Contact your insurance company or agent before committing to a rehab facility to make sure that you will be covered and to understand exactly how much you would be expected to pay; there may be a difference between in-network and out-of-network programs.  Also, make one of the first questions that you ask any rehabilitation programs on your list which insurance providers they accept.

Employer Subsidized

Some employers (usually the larger ones who may have additional resources at their disposal) are willing to assist valuable employees with the cost of rehab.  If your addiction has become public knowledge in your work place, check with your human resources department to see if any programs are available.  If your employer does not know about your addiction, you may want to consult your employee handbook before openly admitting your addiction; although some states make it illegal to fire someone because they have a substance abuse problem, these laws may not apply if the person has been drinking or using drugs while on the job and placed their safety and the safety of their co-workers in jeopardy.

Out-Of-Pocket

Paying cash for rehab is an obvious way to get treatment; however, because few people budget a rehab program into their finances, it’s not a realistic option for the majority of families. 

A Payment Plan

Most programs realize that treatment is an unexpected yet necessary expense.  When meeting with a representative from your preferred program, ask whether the program itself offers any type of long-term payment plan and, if so, what interest rate they charge.  If they do not, ask if they can recommend other options for financing your (or your loved one’s) stay; they want your business and are likely to have additional resources.

Third-Party Financing

A number of financial institutions offer health-care-specific financing; some examples include Chase Health Advance and GE Money’s CareCredit.  Use caution when paying for rehab or other treatment with these or other credit-based options because interest rates are variable and can end up costing much more than the base rate.

Government Subsidized

Those who have served our country in the armed forces should be able to receive free treatment for addiction at a local Veteran’s Administration hospital or clinic. State-funded rehabs may also be an option for others, especially pregnant women, single mothers, and individuals with HIV/AIDS.

Charity Rehabs

Some religious and community organizations offer low- or no-cost addiction rehab services; it may be worth a phone call to local churches to see if there are any programs in the vicinity.

12-Step Programs

Although these programs are not considered “rehab” and do not manage symptoms related to withdrawal, 12-step programs like Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous offer free, anonymous support to anyone who attends.  Another benefit of these groups is long-term support in the form of regular, international access to meetings and the assignment of a sponsor.

Court-Ordered Rehab

Individuals who have been ordered to attend a rehab facility by an Administrative Law Judge for illegal drug- or alcohol-related crimes are likely to receive free treatment.  Although family and friends may try to protect an addict from going to prison, sometimes getting firsthand experience with the potentially severe consequences of addiction may be what helps them realize that they need to turn their life around.  Whether that means not bailing them out of jail this time or directly reporting their drug use to law enforcement, breaking a cycle of co-dependence is equally important to treating addiction.