If you desperately need to go to rehab and don’t have insurance, don’t be discouraged.
Drug or alcohol rehab is often a costly proposition and few people have the financial resources to pay the full cost out of pocket.
This is especially true when the addiction is long-term and has left an individual financially strained. However, there are a number of other coverage and finance options to cover the cost of treatment.
Double-Check The Insurance
Just because you hear rehab isn’t covered by insurance, don’t assume it to be true. If you currently have insurance, make sure you talk to the insurance provider to check if your insurance covers rehab.
The answer might not be a clear-cut yes or no. Because every situation is different, and so are the providers and coverage, it’s important to find out how much rehab care is covered by the policy and in what circumstances.
If someone recently went through job loss and lost their job-based coverage, they may be eligible for COBRA continuation. COBRA or the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, gives workers and their families who lose health benefits the right to choose to continue group health benefits for limited periods of time. Once enrolled in COBRA, the user can have the same mental health and substance abuse treatment coverage that they had with the previous employer.
Scholarships
Scholarships help to bridge the gap between what an individual can afford and the high cost of addiction treatment. There are non-profit foundations like 10,000 Beds that provide scholarships, as well as individual treatment facilities. For scholarships from treatment facilities, It will be up to an individual to contact each treatment center and ask whether they offer scholarship opportunities that can assist in paying for rehab.
Sliding-Scale Payment Plans
While researching addiction treatment centers, ask about sliding scale fees based on your insurance coverage and ability to pay, and also ask about financing. Because they feel strongly about making sure their treatment is accessible to anyone who needs it, many offer monthly payments vs paying everything up front.
Loans and Credit Options
A number of lenders specialize in providing loans or credit for healthcare-related issues such as loans for addiction treatment. A healthcare loan usually has a lower interest rate or no interest rate. A few lenders include: Prosper, CareCredit, AccessOne and Lightstream. Another option is to contact your everyday bank and see what loan options they have available, or apply for a low-interest credit card.
Public Insurance
Both Medicare and Medicaid are federal programs that provide insurance coverage - however the requirements for coverage differ:
Medicare is available for individuals who are:
65 or older
Of any age and living with certain disabilities
Of any age and living with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease)
Medicaid is available to low-income individuals who are:
65 or older
19 or younger
Pregnant
Disabled
Caring for a child
If you don’t qualify for Medicare or Medicaid, there is another option. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) established affordable health insurance marketplaces for people who don’t have other means of obtaining insurance. ACA requires all insurance policies sold via the marketplace cover substance abuse and mental health treatment. Anyone can purchase an insurance policy through the health insurance marketplace.
State-Funded Rehab
State-funded rehab programs are treatment centers that receive government money to support individuals recovering from alcohol or drug addiction. While they do not provide the same amenities like private rooms that you’ll find in private centers, they do provide detox, treatment, and support services for those without a lot of income or or no insurance.
To find state-funded treatment centers, check out SAMHSA’s Directory of Single State Agencies.
Getting Help For Addiction
There are always options available to help you get the treatment you need regardless of your financial situation. Don't let treatment costs stop you from getting better. At Care Addiction Center, we offer scholarships and reduced rates for clients that do not have insurance or financial means.
If you or somebody in your life seems to have an issue with alcohol, or is suffering from relapse after treatment, professional help may be the best option to help continue on the road to recovery.
At Care Addiction Center, we offer treatment plans that address every facet of your addiction, serving individuals in Geneva, Batavia, Sycamore, St. Charles, and Kane County, with online addiction treatment available anywhere in Illinois.
To get started on the road to recovery, or if you have questions about helping yourself or a loved one, call us today or schedule a confidential assessment online and begin treatment.