How much does detox cost?

Detox can make drug and alcohol treatment much more effective and minimize relapses. Chances are, if you’re considering addiction treatment or detox, you probably want to know if you can afford it. In this article, we’ll discuss the different ways you can find affordable detox in your area.

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minute read

Is detox expensive?

Detox can be a very expensive part of any addiction treatment program. Why? Because the cost of medical and alternative detoxification depends on your length of stay in a detox center, the use of prescription medication(s), as well as the number of doctor consultations, testing and procedures. Each of these factors can impact the final cost.

However, you can possibly reduce the cost of addiction treatment to make it affordable. Seek help from the following resources to lower the cost of detox.

  • Financial assistance directly from detox facilities
  • Government assistance, vouchers, and state treatment programs
  • Health insurance
  • Medicaid or Medicare programs
  • Tax deductions

Detox: How much does it cost?

Plan to pay from at least $250-500 per day for medical detox, and maybe higher. The cost of detox can vary greatly from one facility to the next. As a general rule, the longer you’re in detox, the more it’ll cost you. Some inpatient addiction treatment facilities might also include the price of detox in their average costs. Inpatient rehab averagesa weekly cost of $1,000-$7,000. Still, each individual stay in a detox center will be different.

Is detox tax deductible?

In some cases, detox may be tax deductible. According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), as of 2013, out-of-pocket medical costs that are higher than 10% of your adjusted gross income are tax deductible.

Is detox covered by insurance?

The cost of detox may be covered by your health insurance. If it is covered, it should take care of a good portion of the cost. The best way to find this out is by calling your health insurance provider. They will be able to tell you if the cost of detox is covered by your insurance. You can also ask detox and rehab facilities to verify if they accept your insurance. And keep in mind that the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 states that health insurance providers that cover mental health and substance abuse costs must do so with no lower or more restrictive policies than other medical costs.

Will Medicare pay for detox?

Maybe. Medicare is another good way to reduce the cost of detox, but only inpatient detox in a dedicated mental health facility is considered when participating in this program. Original Medicare covers part of the cost of treatment, but you will most likely have a deductible. For example, the deductible for the first 60 days of inpatient treatment in 2013 was a little over $1,000. For more information on Medicare paying for detox, contact them directly at 1(800) MEDICARE. You can also learn more on their website.

Is detox free?

Free detox programs are very few and far between, and therefore difficult, if not impossible, to find. Free detox centers may also have limited staff or capabilities, so you might be better off seeking help from a paid clinic, especially if prescription medications can help ease withdrawal symptoms.

Finding low cost detoxis more realistic. Your state’s substance abuse referral office will usually be able to point you toward low cost detox. This usually requires long phone calls as well as copious amounts of paperwork. Don’t let this stop you from trying, though, since the outcome will be well worth it.

Sliding scale detox

Detox and rehab facilities in your area may offer discounted rates to some individuals based on sliding scale fees. Sliding scale fees for detox are typically based on your income information and expenses. Basically, you only pay what you can afford.To find a sliding scale detox facility in your area, you can call the national Drug Abuse Hotline, at 1-800-662-HELP, and ask for information on affordable local sliding scale detox centers.

Detox financial aid and assistance

You can also contact detox facilities directly to find out if they offer detox financial aid and assistance. During the call, you can request information about anything they might offer to help you reduce your costs.

Cost of detox questions

Are you wondering “what now” after detox is done? If you are looking for programs that follow detox, you might want to try IOP or Intensive Outpatient Treatment.

Do you still have questions about particular or overall costs of medical detox for drugs and alcohol? We’ll be happy to help answer them. Please leave your questions in the comments section below and we will respond to you personally and promptly.

Reference Sources: NET Quote: Will my health insurance pay for substance abuse treatment?
NCBI: The Economic Costs of Substance Abuse Treatment: Updated Estimates and Cost Bands for Program Assessment and Reimbursement
SAMHSA: Substance Abuse Prevention Dollars and Cents: A Cost-Benefit Analysis
IRS: Topic 502 – Medical and Dental Expenses
Medicare: Mental health care (inpatient)
SAMHSA: Health Reform
SAMHSA: Directory of Single State Agencies (SSA) for Substance Abuse Services
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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