Paying for Alcohol Rehab
How to pay for alcohol rehab is an important question for many seeking to enter treatment. Whether or not you have insurance, there are many payment options and financial opportunities to help cover the cost of treatment. Finding the right treatment option at a price you can afford can give you greater peace of mind and be the stepping stone to beginning your recovery journey.
How Much Does Alcohol Rehab Cost?
Many factors affect the cost of alcohol rehab, including:
- Length of treatment.
- Treatment setting, or where you get care.
- Your insurance.
- Location.
- Amenities offered.
Does Insurance Cover Rehab?
Insurance can help you pay for rehab. Most insurers will cover some or all of the costs associated with alcohol rehab.1 How much is covered will depend on your specific plan. Because of this, it’s a good idea to check your insurance coverage before choosing a rehab center to better understand the total costs of treatment, including any possible out-of-pocket expenses. These may include:
- Premium. Your premium is the amount you pay for your health insurance every month.2
- Deductible. A deductible is the amount you pay for healthcare services before your insurance starts to pay.3 For example, with a $2,000 deductible, you must pay the first $2,000 of covered services. After that, your insurance covers the rest, except for copays or coinsurance, if your plan has them.3
- Coinsurance. Coinsurance is usually a percentage of the costs of covered healthcare service you have to pay after you’ve paid your deductible.4 For example, after meeting your deductible, you might have to pay for 20% of covered services.4
- Copayments. Copayments are a fixed amount that you pay for covered healthcare services after you’ve met your deductible. For example, $30 per office visit. 5
The Affordable Care Act (ACA)
Historically, substance use disorders (SUDs) weren’t covered under many private and public insurance plans.6 The Affordable Care Act (ACA) changed that. The ACA requires that health plans and insurers offer prevention, screening, brief interventions, and other forms of treatment for substance use disorders.7
In addition to setting regulatory insurance reforms, the ACA extends the 2008 Mental Health Parity Addiction Equity Act (MHPAE), which requires health plans to cover substance use and mental health treatment at the same level as medical and surgical care.7
Using Medicare or Medicaid for Alcohol Rehab
Government-funded insurance plans like Medicare and Medicaid can help some people cover the cost of addiction treatment. Although there isn’t a specific category for substance use treatment coverage, these services are covered by Medicare or Medicaid when deemed reasonable and necessary.8
- Medicare. Primarily for people over the age of 65, Medicare covers certain screenings, services, and programs that treat substance use disorders.9 Although coverage depends on the type of Medicare plan, Medicare may cover inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, partial hospitalization programs (PHP), screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment services.9
- Medicaid. Available through the state, Medicaid is based on a person’s income and does offer coverage for substance use disorder treatment.10
How to Pay for Alcohol Rehab without Insurance
If you don’t have insurance, don’t worry. There are various ways someone can pay for alcohol rehab services without insurance, including grants, self-pay, sliding-scale fees, government funding, and more. You may also be able to apply for insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Finance and Private Funding
Many treatment centers offer financing options to pay for substance use treatment services. These financing plans offer time to pay and reduce the cost burden of seeking treatment. Whether through a loan or payment plans, many rehab centers will offer various options for payments. Have your income information ready when asking about these options to speed up the process.
Government and State-Funded Rehab
Some rehab centers may receive funding from federal, state, and local grants to help reduce the cost for people in need.11 Each state has different requirements to access government and state-funded rehab services.11 To see if you qualify, you may need to provide the following information:
- Proof you live within the state where you’re seeking treatment.
- Proof of income.
- Proof of legal residence in the United States.
- Personal information on addiction history.
Community Support
Many peer-support groups offer free or low-cost access to addiction recovery services. These include 12-step groups and other community groups, such as:
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). AA is a fellowship program that helps people recover from alcohol use disorder. It’s free, and the only requirement to participate is a willingness to stop drinking.12
- SMART Recovery. SMART Recovery is a global recovery community that includes free support groups based on the latest scientific research.
- Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS). SOS is a nonprofit group that maintains a network of autonomous peer-run local support groups to help people recover from alcohol and drug addiction.
How to Find an Alcohol Rehab Center
Whether you are looking for a specific type of rehab treatment near you or additional information, we can help you find the right alcohol rehab center for your needs. Cost doesn’t have to be a barrier to getting the treatment you need and deserve. Contact us at today to discuss your options. You can also quickly and easily verify your insurance coverage online. It’s free and completely confidential.