How Much Does Alcohol Rehab Cost?
If you or a loved one need addiction treatment for alcohol abuse, one of the first questions you likely have is, “what is the cost of rehab?” Although rehab programs can be expensive, there are several different payment plans and options, including insurance.
This blog post will cover the cost of rehab and, more importantly, how you can afford it to ensure you get the help you need.
Zinnia Health‘s intake specialists are standing by 24/7 to answer any insurance, payment-related, or drug abuse hotline questions. Call us now at (855) 430-9439 to learn more. Call now.
Alcohol Rehab Cost and Treatment Options
It’s essential to note that the cost of addiction treatment varies from treatment center to treatment center. Some state-funded programs are free of cost, while other high-end luxury inpatient programs can cost thousands of dollars per day.
The good news is that no matter your budget, there’s likely a treatment program that is accessible to you.
The following factors influence the cost of rehab:
- History of alcohol/drug use and recovery attempts
- Length of stay: Rehab stays can last between 30-90 days, depending on your need.
- Type of treatment required: Inpatient treatment costs more than outpatient programs because lodging and meals are rolled into the cost.
- Type of drug addiction being treated: Some addictions cost more to treat than others because of the medications and intensive therapy needed. Insurance coverage: Insurance can significantly cut down on the cost you have to pay out-of-pocket for substance abuse treatment.
- Treatment facility location: Many rehab facilities are located in idyllic settings, such as in the mountains or on the beach. The cost of alcohol treatment at these facilities can be more than a facility that’s in a rural or urban setting.
- Amenities offered: Some rehab facilities go all out with their amenities, from Olympic-sized swimming pools to horse stables.
- Medication: Whether medication-assisted treatment is required to help mitigate symptoms of withdrawal. Treatment provided: Detox, medication-assisted treatment, therapy, and aftercare are all additional costs to consider.
- Private insurance
- Private pay
- Medicaid
- Government-funded insurance, like the Affordable Care Act
- Military insurance
- State-funded substance abuse programs
- State-funded detox treatment programs
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grants
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs grants
- The Affordable Care Act (ACA)
- The patient must reside in the funding state
- The patient must be a U.S. citizen or have legal residence in the United States
- The patient must demonstrate they are unable to afford other forms of treatment
- The patient must provide information about the degree and history of their addiction
- Whether the patient is elderly
- Whether the patient is pregnant or has young children
- The patient’s income level
- Whether the patient is disabled
- Screening for alcohol or tobacco use
- Short-term outpatient counseling
- Intensive outpatient treatment
- Inpatient care
- Detox
- Aftercare and relapse prevention.
- Self-help and support groups.
- Medication management
- An increased risk of injury from falling and other accidents
- The development of chronic health issues, including several forms of cancer, including breast cancer and osteoporosis
- Heart, liver, and kidney damage and failure
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Severe liver and kidney disease and cirrhosis
- Reckless behavior that can result in costly legal fees and other damages
- Unintended pregnancy and STDs
- Poor pregnancy outcomes
- Death
- Alcohol Addiction Treatments
- Alcohol Intoxication Supportive Therapy Treatment
- Does Medicare Cover Alcohol Rehab: What Are My Options?
Next, we’ll go over ballpark self-pay estimates for the cost of different rehab programs.
1. Detox
Medical detox is often the first step in a holistic recovery plan. Detox typically ranges from $2,000-$7,500 for the program (without insurance), which usually takes 7-10 days to complete.
2. Inpatient Rehab
Inpatient rehab, also known as residential treatment, is the most intense and, therefore, the most expensive. Some inpatient rehabs can cost around $15,000 for a 30-day treatment program.
The most high-end inpatient treatment programs can cost upwards of $30,000 for a 30-day stay.
People who need longer drug rehab programs can spend anywhere from $35,000 to $60,000.
3. Outpatient Rehab
Outpatient rehab costs less than inpatient rehab because no residential services are provided. You can expect to pay between $5,000-$10,000 for a 30-day program.
Paying for Rehab
Insurance is one of the most common ways to pay for rehab. The amount insurance covers depends on the insurer and the type of insurance the treatment provider accepts.
In addition to accepting insurance, many rehab facilities offer financial aid, payment plans, and other financing options.
Types of insurance that are commonly accepted include:
To keep your out-of-pocket costs as low as possible, it’s important to find an addiction treatment facility that offers comprehensive services that are largely covered by your insurance.
The good news is that more and more alcohol rehab facilities are starting to accept private insurance to cover the cost of treatment for alcohol use disorder.
It’s important to note that your health insurance plan may not cover the entire cost of rehab, depending on the type of program.
Another plus of going the outpatient route is that you can continue to work and manage your responsibilities at home while attending outpatient treatment on a schedule that works around your other obligations.
However, outpatient care may not be an option for those with more severe addictions who are actively using or require detox.
Financing Options
People without insurance or with an insurance provider that the treatment center does not accept often turn to other payment options to afford the cost of treatment out-of-pocket.
There are also free rehab programs you can look into, but these often have long waiting lists.
Forms of financial assistance that some rehab centers offer and accept include:
1. State-Funded Rehab
Through state and federal funding, some states provide free substance abuse treatment. These programs offer both inpatient and outpatient treatment.
The amenities are not as expansive at state-funded rehab centers, and although some offer inpatient services, most are focused on detox and outpatient.
State-funded rehab centers have specific requirements for admission, including:
2. Medicaid and Medicare
Treatment for drug and alcohol addiction can be covered by Medicare Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical) insurance plans.
These programs cover inpatient and outpatient services as well as any medications used to treat substance use disorders (except methadone). They also cover the cost of partial hospitalization programs.
To be covered by Medicare, you must be 65 or older or have a disability.
Medicaid coverage for alcohol and drug treatment varies by state. Many states offer Medicaid through the Affordable Care Act, making it much more accessible.
Medicaid provides support for low-income individuals. Eligibility can vary based on the following:
According to the ACA’s expansion, Medicaid is required to include substance abuse treatment.
3. Veterans Administration
The VA also provides coverage for substance abuse treatment for eligible veterans. According to the VA, financial aid for recovering addicts who served in the military may include the following:
4. Support Groups
There are also free support groups offered by rehab centers, churches, charities, and local non-profits to help give additional support to low-income people struggling with a substance use disorder.
Some churches even offer their own version of inpatient treatment through free sober living housing.
Looking for support to quit drinking? Browse Zinnia Health’s programs here.
Is Rehab Worth the Cost?
Although alcohol rehab can be quite expensive, alcohol abuse isn’t free either. In fact, the annual economic impact of alcohol abuse is estimated to be nearly $250 billion.
People struggling with alcohol abuse also pay for it in terms of their health and productivity loss. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, there’s also an increased risk of being involved in a car accident after consuming alcohol.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heavy alcohol use is linked to:
So yes, rehab is worth it. Alcohol rehab can help save you money in the long term while, more importantly, helping you forge your path to sobriety to stay healthy and happy for years to come. Recovering from alcohol addiction gives you a chance to live the life you deserve while giving your loved ones the lives they deserve.
Zinnia Health Can Help You Navigate the Cost of Rehab
To learn more about how Zinnia Health can help you break free from the chains of alcohol addiction, contact us today. Healing is possible with our caring and compassionate team of addiction specialists and our flexible payment options.
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