How to Pay For Alcohol Rehab

Trying to quit alcohol “cold turkey” can be a painful, miserable effort indeed. For many people, suddenly abstaining from alcohol can actually be dangerous. Going to rehab is always the safest, easiest, and most effective way to detox. Best of all, rehab can provide you with the tools for maintaining your sobriety long-term. However, like many people, you may be worried about the costs of addiction treatment. Although the price of rehab is one of the biggest deterrents and barriers to treatment, it really doesn’t have to be. These services are far more accessible than most people believe. In fact, depending upon your circumstances, getting treatment for your alcohol addiction could require very little out-of-pocket spending.

Also known as alcohol use disorder, alcohol addiction is currently recognized as a mental health issue. As such, the costs of addiction treatment are covered by many private pay health insurance companies, and by government-subsidized health insurance plans. According to the Affordable Care Act, it’s also illegal for health insurance companies to penalize applicants for having pre-existing medical conditions. Thus, even if you don’t have health insurance right now, knowing that you’re already struggling with alcoholism shouldn’t prevent you from getting the coverage you need. Working with admissions counselors and other professionals throughout the rehab industry will expose you to a vast range of payment solutions. There are many charitable organizations that offer scholarships for addiction treatment, and there are also countless crowd-sourcing opportunities. If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol use disorder, don’t let the costs of treatment prevent you from getting the help you need.

Different Ways to Pay for Addiction Treatment

Health insurance companies recognize that it is far cheaper to treat their policyholders for alcohol use disorder than it is to let this problem spiral out of control. After all, long-term alcohol abuse can lead to a vast range of costly health issues including:

• Liver disease
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes

and more. Many health insurance companies will pay for most or all of the necessary treatments for alcohol use disorder including medically assisted detox, inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment, and any aftercare that’s doctor-recommended. All health insurance plans and the level of coverage that each provides are different. The best way to learn exactly what your insurer is willing to pay for is by calling the company directly. Most policyholders will be responsible for paying any:

• Plan deductibles
• Co-payments
• Prescription costs

and services that lie outside of the limitations of their plans. Health insurance companies often have limitations on the type and amount of coverage provided, the duration of covered treatment, and the rehab centers or doctors that patients can work with.

If you’re currently employed and have been with your company for some time, there may be provisions that your employer is willing to make. When arranging to take time off of work for addiction treatment, talk with your Human Resources department about any financial assistance that might be available. Your employer may be willing to cover some or all of your treatment costs. If no such provisions are available through your employer, if you aren’t gainfully employed, or if you aren’t covered by a private pay health insurance plan, there are still options for paying. Subsidized government health insurance can help you get into a state-run rehab program. This will give you access to medically assisted detox services, addiction counseling services, dual diagnosis treatment, and more. Unfortunately, however, state-run centers often have lengthy waitlists due to consistently high demand.

Once you’ve chosen an alcohol rehab center, you’ll need to call in and speak with an admissions counselor. During this call, you’ll complete a pre-intake interview. This question-and-answer session will allow you to provide information on your current health, your medical history, and your history of substance abuse among other things. An admissions counselor will also review all of your options for payment. These professionals can help you determine which aspects of your addiction treatment will be covered by insurance, and which will require out-of-pocket spending. If scholarship opportunities exist, they’ll help you find and apply for them. Many rehab centers accept cash and credit or debit card payments, and some are even willing to establish reasonable payment plans.

Getting help for your alcohol addiction is the only way to regain control over your life. With professional addiction treatment, you can safely and successfully get sober. If cost is a concern, we can help you learn more about the available options for paying for rehab. Call us today at 424-499-2603.