When someone wants to get out of the cycle of addiction, the path to sobriety usually goes through the front door of a reputable rehab facility. Unfortunately, there are some barriers that prevent some people from seeking help with their drug or alcohol addiction. We don’t want there to be barriers, but some things in life matter.
The most prominent barrier is money. If people feel they can’t afford rehab, they will try other paths toward sobriety. Unfortunately, self-help solutions to addiction seldom work. They tend to not work because they don’t offer the addiction sufferer a way to address the underlying causes of their addiction issues.
To be clear, even people with healthcare insurance could have issues with the cost of rehab. That would certainly be the case if someone has a significant copay or deductible.
As part of this discussion, we feel we should mention that all healthcare insurance providers are required by law to cover some portion of rehab. Some portion means they have to cover rehab in the same way they would cover other medical costs. With that said, there is one caveat. Insurance companies only have to cover basic addiction treatment costs. That would include:
- Detox programs
- Prescroption medications prescribed during and after the treatment process
- Basic residential treatment costs (usually does not include alternative therapies and luxury rehabs)
- Outpatient Care
The law to which we referred above is the Affordable Care Act or ACA. The ACA was signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2009. It clearly stated that insurance companies must offer some level of addiction treatment coverage. It also dictated that insurance companies can not deny coverage based on the premise of a preexisting condition. That matters to the addiction treatment community because insurance could easily make the argument that every addiction is part of a preexisting condition.
All of the above information brings us to the point we can attempt to answer the titled question, which we will address below.
How Expensive Is Rehab If You Have Health Insurance?
It should go without saying that the cost of rehab will vary from one client to the next and from one facility to the next. The amount each client has to pay will also vary based on the parameters of their healthcare insurance.
Let’s start by discussing the cost of rehab without insurance. A detox program could run from $1,000 to $2,500, depending on how much time a client needs to manage their withdrawal symptoms. Long-term addicts might need up to four weeks if placed in a tapering program.
Residential treatment should run between $4,000 a month up to $15,000 a month. The difference would have to do with things like rehab location, rehab amenities, and the therapies being offered. Of course, luxury rehab facilities would be at the top price.
As for outpatient treatment, the cost should run between $2,000 to $3,000 per month, depending on the level of outpatient care required. Many times, insurance companies will offer to cover outpatient costs up to 100%. They might do that to motivate customers to choose outpatient treatment instead of the more expensive residential treatment.
Now, using these prices as a general guideline, you can apply the copays and deductibles associated with your insurance coverage to determine what you would pay out of pocket. If the number is too high, you might want to consider supplemental resources as opposed to not seeking treatment.
The best alternatives would be to see if you qualify for a scholarship or grant from a particular rehab. They do exist. You might also want to consider asking the rehab facility if you can finance the extra charges. You will find that the administrators will do all they can to help. Their goal is to help people who need help to get help. The point is you should not give up hope just because you need a little financial assistance. They are resources out there if you will seek them out.
We hope this information sufficiently explains how you can pay for rehab if you have insurance. By the way, the ACA requires everyone to have healthcare insurance. What we care most about is being here to offer you the care you need to arrest your addiction. We can help you if you call us at 844-903-2111. When you call, we would happy to explain to you ways you can deal with the cost of treatment.