In 2020, 14.9% (or 41.1 million people) needed substance abuse treatment. Of those, only 1.4% received any substance use treatment. Among those individuals, 19% cited having no health care coverage and being unable to afford the cost of treatment as major barriers to not receiving treatment, according to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

For years, financial barriers have kept people from seeking the substance abuse treatment they need to find long-term recovery. However, there are so many ways to pay for rehab that you or your family shouldn’t consider it a barrier to getting treatment. Here are some options to pay for addiction treatment.  

How to pay for rehab?

There are a variety of ways to pay for rehab. The methods available will vary depending on the facility, but these are the most widely known.

1. Health insurance

Health insurance is one of the most common ways to cover rehab costs. After the Affordable Care Act, health insurance providers must provide comprehensive coverage for substance use and mental health disorders. Because of this, many rehab facilities accept insurance as payment. That being said, the specifics of how much your insurance will cover depend on your particular plan. 

Before choosing a rehab program, ask them to verify your insurance coverage and inquire about these common out-of-pocket costs: 

  • Deductibles: the amount of money you have to pay before your insurance pays the rest. For example, with a $1,000 deductible, you’d pay the first $1,000 for your services, and after, you usually pay only co-payments before the insurer pays the rest.
  • Co-payments: a fixed amount you pay for a service after you’ve paid your deductible. Each insurance plan has different co-payments for different services, so ask about these before admission. 
  • Out-of-pocket: sometimes, your insurer will not cover certain costs, and you’ll need to pay them in full. In rehab, these include alternative therapies such as massage therapy, acupuncture, or yoga.
  • Affordable Care (Obamacare): the Affordable Care Act ensures no one is penalized for having an existing condition (such as substance addiction) before opting for insurance. Depending on the plan, Obamacare-sponsored policies cover between 60 to 90% of the cost of rehab services.
  • Medicare: is primarily available to people older than 65, but younger people with specific disabilities may qualify, too. Many rehab facilities accept Medicare as a form of payment. 
  • Medicaid: a program aimed at helping people under particular circumstances, such as those who earn below a certain income, pregnant women, and those younger than 19 or older than 65.

2. Financing and private funding

For people with no health insurance, it is possible to acquire the necessary funds by financing a part of the total cost of the rehab program through a loan. Many facilities provide financing plans people can pay gradually after treatment.

If you decide to go this route, make sure you can repay the loan before accepting. You mustn’t get into additional financial stress while you attend rehab. 

Other people may find success by gathering donations through sites such as GoFundMe.

3. Local and state-funded rehab programs

Some locations offer public, state-funded programs for addiction treatment. People trying to get into these programs will need to provide documentation before being chosen, such as proof of residence and citizenship and proof of the inability to pay for private rehab.

State-funded programs include various treatment options:

  • Inpatient treatment: patients have 24-hour care in a residential setting.
  • Partial hospitalization treatment: a partial inpatient program connected to a hospital. Patients sleep at home but stay in the facility during the day.
  • Outpatient treatment: patients receive treatment at a rehab facility while still maintaining their responsibilities and living independently.
  • Medical detox: some state-funded programs will provide medically supervised detox services to support patients going through withdrawal. 

4. Non-profit treatment centers

While less widely available, some treatment centers accept patients at little or no charge, sometimes in exchange for their work. The Salvation Army, for example, accepts people struggling with addiction in exchange for a 40-hour work week at warehouses, sorting donated items. They offer a 6-month rehab program.

What to do if you’re struggling with addiction?

When you are fighting addiction, you must receive the care you need to start recovering. Trying to withdraw on your own may lead to complications and increase the risk of relapsing.

A rehab program managed by professionals will be your best bet in most cases. Most rehab facilities have different payment options to help you get the help you need to begin your journey to recovery.

Remember, nothing is more valuable than investing in your recovery.