The U.S. is known for having one of the most frustrating and complicated medical billing and insurance systems in the world. Although the Affordable Care Act enacted numerous reforms to the system, people seeking any type of healthcare are often hit with hidden medical bills even when they have decent medical insurance.
If you or someone you know needs alcohol rehab services immediately, it can be helpful to know there are a variety of ways to pay for alcohol addiction treatment. Financial concerns should never stop anyone from getting help for an alcohol abuse disorder; and, the costliness of long-term alcohol or drug addiction far outweighs the cost of entering an alcohol rehab program.
How Much Does Alcohol Rehab Cost?
People searching online for answers to the question “how much is rehab?” will find that the average cost of substance abuse treatment ranges widely, from around $2000 to $50,000 or more. The more expensive rehabs are called “luxury” rehab centers that provide extra amenities for individuals who can afford them. However, these amenities (massages, saunas, chef-prepared meals) do not contribute to the quality or effectiveness of the treatment program.
Everything is included in the cost of an outpatient, inpatient, or partial hospitalization alcohol rehab treatment program: meals, rooms, group and individual therapy, medical supervision, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), detox, and 24/7 access to counseling. Once you have paid for your treatment, you have no other financial obligations to worry about.
The Cost of Addiction is Much, Much Higher
If the cost of alcohol rehab is stopping you from getting treatment, consider how incredibly expensive it can be to maintain an alcohol problem:
- Drinking a 12-pack of beer every day can cost $70 a week/nearly $300 per month
- Drinking three bottles of wine every day is roughly $20 per day/$140 per week/$560 per month
- Getting convicted of a DUI may mean the loss of driver’s license, thousands of dollars in fines, and possible jail time leading to being fired from a job
- Getting arrested for disorderly conduct or assault while drunk can lead to thousands of dollars in fines, jail time, and the loss of a driver’s license
- There can also be the loss of relationships due to alcoholism (ex: divorce, estrangement from children, family members and good friends)
Alcohol abuse can destroy your life. Don’t let financial anxiety stop you from getting help.
Paying for Alcohol Rehab With or Without Insurance
Alcohol rehab does not have to be prohibitively expensive. In fact, there are multiple ways to afford alcohol treatment, whether with or without insurance.
Insurance-Covered Alcohol Rehab
Alcoholism is a disease that initially requires treatment by physicians specializing in substance addiction. Before a person with alcohol use disorder (AUD) can begin therapy and counseling, they must undergo medically supervised detoxification in a hospital-like setting. In most cases, individuals who need detox are experiencing a medical crisis that is covered by private insurance companies. In addition, treatment of co-occurring mental health issues is also covered by insurance due to mental health parity laws.
Since 2010, all private health insurance companies have been required to offer policyholders the option of substance abuse rehab coverage. Common items that private insurers cover include inpatient treatment, medically supervised detox, intervention services, outpatient medical appointments, and various mental health services.
In addition, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates that Medicare, Medicaid, military insurance and state-financed health insurance provide coverage for alcohol addiction treatment. For example, Medicare Part A covers inpatient care and, when necessary, hospitalization for up to two months. Part B covers outpatient care, medications, and certain mental health issues.
Medicaid provides funds for alcohol addiction treatment, as well as for the following related services:
- Medically assisted detox
- Physical and mental health screenings
- Inpatient rehab
- Outpatient rehab
- Dual diagnosis
- Medications for treating alcohol abuse disorder
- Interventions
- Hospitalization
Paying for Alcohol Rehab Without Health Insurance
When a person doesn’t qualify for Medicaid or Medicare and has no private insurance, there are several options to explore. However, many of these programs have a waiting list of people needing addiction treatment services. For more information about local resources that may help fund alcohol abuse treatment, contact your local health department for more information.
What Is State-Funded Alcohol Rehab?
State-funded rehab centers rely on state government money to help individuals recover from alcohol or drug abuse. These rehabs are paid with Medicaid reimbursements, state funding, and/or federal grants from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA). State-funded alcohol rehabs accept people who have little to no income or lack adequate insurance. The Florida Department of Children and Families provides information about state-funded rehab centers in Florida.
Faith-Based Alcohol Rehab
Many communities have faith-based alcohol treatment and detox programs that are free of charge for people who need and want them. The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center operates no-cost treatment programs across the U.S. that also provide housing, employment, and meals to individuals and their families in treatment. To find out if there are any faith-based alcohol rehab centers in your area, contact local churches, synagogues, or mosques for more information.
Private Pay Options
Most treatment centers accept a cash-pay rate, meaning the cost of alcohol rehab varies according to a sliding fee scale. Alcohol rehab centers with sliding fee scales only expect clients to pay what they can afford to pay.
Employer Assistance Programs (EAPs)
Your employer may offer financial help for covering alcohol dependency treatment programs. Group insurance plans frequently cover addiction treatment, although they are sometimes managed by the employer as a stand-alone program. Preferred provider networks covering police officers, firemen, and other high-stress occupations typically appoint a supervisory employer to handle treatment arrangements for employees needing treatment.
EAPs provide free, confidential counseling services to employees struggling with addiction or mental health issues. They also offer workplace intervention programs that can help employees resolve personal problems at home or at work that may be affecting their job performance.
How Long Should a Person Stay in Alcohol Rehab?
Outpatient programs for alcohol abuse allow people to remain in their homes while receiving treatment. Generally, an outpatient program works well for individuals who may have recently developed an alcohol problem and have not previously had to seek help for their drinking. Alternately, an inpatient program is necessary for those who have a long-term addiction to alcohol and have relapsed in the past after completing treatment. In most cases, the average time spent in an outpatient treatment program is 30 days, while the average time of inpatient treatment is between 30 to 90 days.
Withdrawing from alcohol rehab early because of financial stress should not have to happen. Contact FHE today for more information about how to pay for alcohol rehab and the available options.
