Cost Of Alcohol And Drug Rehab: What You Need To Know

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) estimates that fewer than 10 percent of the people who meet the criteria for addiction actually receive it. In the meantime, 2016 brought about record-setting rates of overdose fatalities, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There is a clear, urgent, and alarming disparity between the need for treatment and the utilization of it. One of the primary reasons why so many substance-use-disorder (SUD) sufferers aren’t getting the help they need is the cost. Obstacles associated with paying for treatment and accessing quality care resources continue to plague affected populations in practically every state.

What Is the Price of Addiction Treatment?

There is no one-size-fits-all cost for addiction treatment. To begin with, different facilities charge different amounts for their services, and most facilities offer varying tiers of care, the prices of which will vary.

Some of the variables that dictate the cost of treatment include:

• The type of facility. County or state-funded rehab facilities are much more affordable than private facilities but generally offer a lower-quality level of care. Patients who enroll in county state-funded treatment facilities also often experience significant delays in getting into a program.
• The type of treatment. Inpatient programs require a greater level of care resources, so they will cost more than outpatient, intensive outpatient (IOP), and partial-hospitalization programs. The average cost of inpatient treatment lies between $15,000 and $30,000 for thirty days. Higher-end luxury or executive treatment programs can cost patients as much as $60,000 or more for a thirty-day program. Outpatient rehabs can often cost up to $500 per session.
• Detox. Detoxification (detox) is a fundamental part of the treatment process, but it can also add to the cost unless otherwise specified by the facility. Some programs offer detox and rehab at the same location. The average cost of detox is between $600 and $1000 per day.
• The duration of treatment. Like any other type of service, the longer a rehab program continues, the most it costs. Inpatient programs can last from thirty days all the way to a year, but are generally thirty, sixty or ninety days.

Some other variables that can impact cost of addiction treatment include sober-living, amenities offered at the facility, medication-assisted treatment regimens for opioid and alcohol addiction, and others. Exact prices of addiction treatment services will vary according to each facility and program. Your prospective treatment provider will be able to provide detailed information regarding program options and cost of treatment during your consultation.

Paying For Rehab

Patients often encounter obstacles when endeavoring to pay for addiction rehab; however, there are many options available to them that can make the process easier and more manageable. In the past few years, legislation like the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act have increased access to treatment largely by expanding Medicaid resources. Treatment and medication coverage vary from state to state, depending upon whether states chose to take advantage of the expansion or not. In addition to taking advantage of state Medicaid resources, some of the primary methods of paying for addiction rehab include using your employer-sponsored health insurance and:

paying out of pocket. Paying out of pocket for your addiction rehab is generally the most expensive; however, it’s often the most effective, and if you can afford it, the most direct way to cover the cost of care. Patients often withdraw money from their savings or borrow money from a loved one to pay for treatment. There are also banks that specialize in addiction treatment lending.

financing options. Many facilities offer convenient and flexible financing options to help you or your loved one offset the cost of care. Financing is subject to eligibility requirements and varies according to each treatment location.

Does Insurance Cover Rehab?

Health insurance providers are providing an increasing amount of coverage for addiction treatment. Substance abuse and mental health treatment have been designated as Essential Health Benefits outlined in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA); this means that most insurance companies are required to provide a basic level of care. Most insurance plans cover detox, but from there the scope of coverage will depend on patients’ insurance benefits and the type of plan. Public insurance plans tend to offer lower levels of coverage, while private plans tend to cover more treatment services. Your prospective treatment facility will provide a comprehensive insurance verification prior to your entry into their program.

Investing in Yourself: Comparing Benefits to Cost of Rehabilitation

If you’re living with substance use disorder, you’ve probably already started to experience a decline in health and quality of life caused by drugs or alcohol. It’s important to remember that nothing is going to improve until you invest in some type of treatment. The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that substance abuse costs the United States over $600 billion per year, and much of this cost is directly paid by the people suffering from addiction. If you find addiction is costing you as well, get the help you need now to break this cycle and reclaim your life.

Resources:

• samhsa.gov
• cdc.gov – U.S. drug overdose deaths continue to rise; increase fueled by synthetic opioids
• healthcare.gov – Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
• medicaid.gov – coverage and Delivery of Adult Substance Abuse Services in Medicaid Managed Care
• statnews.com – Visualized: What Medicaid pays for addiction treatment meds, state by state
• cms.gov – The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA)