How to Pay for Drug Rehab with Insurance

Figuring out how to pay for drug rehab is one of the biggest worries people have when trying to get sober. Addiction treatment centers aren’t always affordable so many wonder how they’ll find a way to afford it. Thankfully, most insurance companies cover at least some portion of treatment if someone needs the help.

Do you or a loved one need help? How can you pay for drug rehab? There are a few different options for those seeking treatment, from the costly out-of-pocket option to private insurance to government assistance. Continue reading to learn more about how to cover the cost of addiction treatment to get the help you need.

In 2017, approximately 20.7 million people ages 12 and older needed treatment for some type of substance use disorder. Of those people who needed treatment, only 4 million received treatment. This means that only 1 out of every 5 people who would benefit drug rehab actually receive the help that they need.

There are a few different reasons people who need treatment for drug addiction don’t receive it. For example, some believed they didn’t actually need treatment, some weren’t ready to get sober, and some felt it would impact their employment. But 30.3 percent of people didn’t receive treatment because of an inability to pay for drug rehab.

Thankfully there are options available for people who truly want and are ready to get sober. With recent changes to healthcare over the past few years, treatment is accessible to more people. How can these individuals get the help they need?

There are a few different types of treatment options for those looking to quit drinking and using. Insurance plans cover various levels of care depending on the coverage you have. It helps to understand the difference between these levels of treatment when finding out how to pay for treatment.

Detox is often the first stop for people trying to get sober. This level of care aids people during the withdrawal period. Medication-assisted treatment is often a part of the detox process as it relieves many withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings.

Inpatient drug rehab is a residential option for treatment. This is a level that people struggle with when trying to pay for drug rehab. It offers the most intensive amount of programming, usually 5 days each week and up to 8 hours per day. Clients attend individual and group therapy, groups, educational classes, and more during the day then stay overnight at the facility.

Partial hospitalization programs, or PHP, are a step down from inpatient rehab and don’t require an overnight stay. There are fewer hours of programming per week and some opt for a PHP instead of inpatient rehab because of the lower cost.

Intensive outpatient programs are a fantastic follow-up to either inpatient rehab or a PHP. They take place over the course of 3 to 5 days per week, between 3 to 5 hours each day. Some people with a smaller budget choose to go straight into IOP to save money while still receiving treatment.

Now that you understand the various levels of care for addiction treatment, how do you pay for drug rehab? You have a few options to choose from depending on your situation and the treatment facility you want to attend.

Some people have the ability to pay for drug rehab completely out of pocket. Since some programs run upwards of $30,000 for a 30-day stay, this isn’t a viable option for many people. Still, you can attend addiction treatment on a private pay basis if you’re capable of doing so.

Private insurance is one of the two main ways to pay for addiction treatment with insurance. People who have private insurance usually receive more coverage options since they pay higher premiums. The level of treatment, length of stay, and location of the programs you can choose from depend on your insurance coverage as well.

Those with a PPO plan have the most to choose from since they aren’t usually limited by a network. People with an HMO plan need to select a program within their coverage network. This is important to consider when looking for a treatment facility. It’s often best to call your insurance company to find out what exactly they’ll cover before deciding on a specific rehab program.

Private insurance is often available through your employer or an insurance broker. You can choose from different companies, levels of coverage, and more depending on how often you think you’ll use it. It’s often the best way to pay for treatment when it comes to insurance.

Medicaid is an option for people restricted by a low income. The Affordable Care Act made sure that every person who needs insurance has access to it and restricts denial based on addiction or alcoholism. Medicaid offers coverage to those who wouldn’t normally be able to afford it, making it easier for people to pay for drug rehab.

If you need to go to treatment but think you can’t afford to, look into Medicaid. You might not go to rehab at a luxury facility but you’ll have a better chance at getting the help you need. The type of treatment, length of stay, and other variables depend on the state and type of coverage you have. Each state has different restrictions and options so first find out what your state covers then proceed with selecting a facility.

The best way to find a facility that accepts your policy is to call your insurance provider. They can give you a list of rehabs that fall within your coverage. Some facilities work with all plans while others only accept certain insurance companies.

Hawaii Island Recovery works with various insurance companies and state plans. Our facility offers an intensive and individualized program in an 8-bed facility, ensuring we offer the necessary attention to each client who comes through our doors. Fill out our insurance verification form or call us at 877-721-3556 to find out whether we work with your policy today!