Addiction treatment for the uninsured

If you’re uninsured, you may be hesitant about seeking addiction treatment. But addiction treatment for the uninsured is within reach. Keep reading to find out more.

3
minute read

Is addiction treatment expensive?

Like most other mental health services, addiction treatment can be expensive. According to a recent study, daily inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment was estimated at $715 and $135, respectively. In fact, not many people can easily pay for addiction treatment out of their own pockets. So, what can you do about accessing rehab without insurance?

Does health insurance cover addiction treatment?

Yes, many health insurance policies cover addiction treatment and the majority of addiction treatment facilities accept health insurance. Oftentimes, policyholders will only be required to pay a small co-pay for these types of services.

To find out if your insurance covers addiction treatment, read through the benefits guide that you received when you first signed up for the insurance. You can also contact your health insurance provider directly and ask them if they cover addiction treatment.

Addiction treatment for the uninsured

There are a number of resources that can be used to help cover the cost of treatment without having insurance for addiction therapies. Free or reduced cost addiction treatment for people without insurance can usually be found in most areas. Here’s how:

1. The first place to look for addiction treatment for the uninsured is at the addiction treatment facilities themselves. Many of these facilities offer sliding scale fees, which are fees that are determined by a person’s income. Generally, the lower a person’s income is, the less he or she will pay for addiction treatment. You’ll usually only be required to pay what you can reasonably afford.

2. Medicaid is another option when it comes to addiction treatment for the uninsured. This is a type of government assistance meant to help people pay for medical services. If your income is low enough to qualify for Medicaid, you’ll most likely be able to receive free addiction treatment.

3. States supervise the distribution of federal “Block Grants” for the federal government. To learn more about how to access a low cost treatment option in your state, call 1-800-662-HELP and get connected with local treatment centers that are a part of this national scheme.

4. If you’re uninsured but make too much money to qualify for reduced cost or free addiction treatment, you may have some other options. For example, you may be able to borrow money from a retirement account or life insurance policy. Personal loans can also be used to pay for part or all of the cost of addiction treatment. Or you may be able to find a scholarship or sponsorship for your time in addiction treatment.

Addiction treatment for the uninsured questions

Taking the first steps toward addiction treatment can be very difficult, especially if you’re uninsured and don’t think you have any way to pay for treatment. Hopefully, this article has shown you that it is possible to pay for addiction treatment without insurance. If you have any additional questions or would just like to share your experience, feel free to leave a comment below.

Reference Sources: The White House: Substance Abuse and the Affordable Care Act
Obama Care Facts: ObamaCare | Health Insurance Excahnge
SAMHSA: Free Substance Abuse Treatment
SAMHSA: Free Treatment Available
SAMHSA: Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator
DHHS: Treatment Services
NCBI: The Economic Costs of Substance Abuse Treatment: Updated Estimates and Cost Bands for Program Assessment and Reimbursement
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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