If you’re struggling with a drug or alcohol problem, you’re not alone. Over 23 million American adults have a substance use disorder that requires treatment. Unfortunately, only about 11 percent of these individuals end up getting the treatment they need.1 One factor that might prevent people from seeking treatment is the cost of rehab, but there are a number of ways to get assistance to pay for addiction treatment. This article explores a few effective financing options for alcohol or drug rehab.
Insurance
Insurance is probably the most common way to defray the cost of rehab. Every insurance plan is different, so the amount your insurer is willing to cover will depend on your plan and what the treatment center accepts. There may be limits on how much is covered, and certain therapies also may not be covered. A few different types of insurance that a treatment center may accept include:
- Private health insurance
- Military health insurance
- State-funded health insurance
- Medicare
- Medicaid
In addition to these insurance options, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) includes substance use disorders in their list of key health benefits. This means insurance plans sold on health insurance exchanges must cover addiction treatment. If you’re interested in applying for an ACA-sponsored plan, you can sign up during the next open registration period.
Financing Packages
Insurance isn’t a viable option for everyone, so it may be a good idea to look into treatment centers that offer their financing packages to prospective clients. Some centers originate their own financing, while others rely on third-party lenders to develop affordable financing packages. Speak to representatives at each treatment center to learn more about their financing options; they’ll work with you to create a package you can pay back once you’re on the road to recovery.
Loans from Family or Friends
Addiction is said to be a family disease because it affects loved ones almost as much as it affects the addicted person. Family members and friends might have been reluctant to loan you money when they feared it would be used to fuel your substance abuse, but they may be happy to lend a hand to help you pay for addiction treatment.
It’s not easy to ask your loved ones for financial assistance, but you may want to look at it as just one of the challenges of recovery. Once you’ve completed treatment and gotten back on the right track, you can pay back the people who helped you when you needed it most.
Paying for rehab is a serious concern for many people who could benefit from addiction treatment, but many options are available to help people get the treatment they need. Don’t let the cost of rehab keep you from conquering your addiction and getting on the road to recovery. Take the time to review your financial options and choose the strategy that makes the most sense for your situation to pay for addiction treatment.
References
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/treatment-statistics
https://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/healthcare
