How to Get Into Inpatient Drug and Alcohol Rehab Without Insurance
People who are considering treatment for substance misuse or addiction but don’t have insurance may wonder if attending rehab without insurance is possible. The good news is that rehab without insurance is possible, and you can get the help you need in various ways, even if you don’t have the financial means to seek treatment. This page will help you learn more about paying for rehab without insurance and how to find treatment near you.
Are you looking for assistance right now? Call American Addiction Centers (AAC) for free at to learn more about paying for rehab without insurance.
Can I Go to Rehab Without Health Insurance?
Yes, there are ways to go to rehab if you don’t have health insurance or if your insurance doesn’t fully cover the cost of treatment. If you want to regain control of your life and enter rehab, no insurance shouldn’t stop you from starting the path to recovery.1 There are various ways to pay for rehab and make things work.
How to Get into Drug or Alcohol Rehab Without Insurance
While every state is different, most have financial assistance available for those without insurance, such as free rehab centers and state-funded rehab programs. States have a certain amount of government funding set aside to provide drug rehab for those who can’t pay due to lack of insurance.2
Free or low-cost programs that receive federal funding through block grants are also available.3 Programs that receive block grants can offer rehab services to people without insurance and help cover the cost of treatment services not covered by private insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid.3
If you’re wondering how to find free or low-cost rehab programs, call American Addiction Centers (AAC) at to speak to an admissions navigator who can provide more information and support on accessing these forms of treatment.
How Much Does Drug and Alcohol Rehab Cost Without Insurance?
Cost is a common concern for people who want to enter addiction treatment. Having no insurance might seem like a barrier, but it doesn’t have to be. The cost of rehab can vary widely depending on various factors, including the treatment setting.
There are many types of treatment programs available. To determine the right setting for you, professionals will consider your needs, including your financial, medical, psychological, social, vocational, and legal problems.4
Common treatment settings include:
- Medical detox, which can help manage acute withdrawal symptoms and help patients become medically stable. This can ease the transition into ongoing treatment, such as inpatient or outpatient rehab.4
- Residential treatment centers, which means living at a treatment facility for at least a few weeks where patients receive intensive counseling and therapy for addiction.5
- Inpatient addiction treatment, which means staying at a hospital or treatment facility while receiving care.5
- Intensive outpatient addiction treatment programs, including partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), which are highly supportive programs where patients live at home but travel to rehab to receive treatment between 9-20 hours per week.6
- Outpatient drug and alcohol rehab programs, which can include standard outpatient programs that require treatment attendance 1-3 times per week.6
In most cases, outpatient treatment programs are less expensive than inpatient programs because they don’t provide room and board. Depending on the services and amenities, inpatient treatment can be considerably more expensive than outpatient rehab, especially for people without insurance.4 However, people who enter outpatient rehab should ensure they have access to reliable transportation, stable housing, and social support.4
Factors Impacting the Cost of Drug and Alcohol Rehab
The cost of drug and alcohol rehab can vary widely depending on several factors, including:
- Treatment provided. As mentioned above, there are different treatment settings, including medical detox, inpatient, and outpatient programs, and the cost can vary by program.
- Location. Certain locations may be more expensive. For example, a rehab in a metropolitan area may be more costly than one in a rural area.
- Amenities. Some rehabs offer a range of amenities that can increase the cost of treatment. Rehabs with a more no-frills approach may be more affordable for people without insurance.
- Program duration. On average, drug and alcohol rehab treatment lasts from around 28 or 30 days to 90 days, but people may sometimes participate in a program that lasts longer.4 Generally speaking, longer rehab means a higher cost.
- Specialized programs. This includes things like private rehabs, luxury rehabs, and executive rehabs. These can take place in spa- or resort-like settings and will naturally come with a higher price tag.
Can I Go to Rehab for Free?
Various free and low-cost treatment programs are available to people who don’t have insurance or those who have insurance through a government program like Medicare and Medicaid. It’s possible that your treatment could be free, and you might not know it.
Medicare is a federal insurance program for people 65 or older, and some people under 65 with certain disabilities or conditions.7 People with Medicare pay part of the cost of medical coverage, deductibles, and coinsurance through monthly premiums.7 People can find out more about Medicare eligibility on the Medicare.gov website.
Medicaid is a combined federal and state program designed to cover some medical services for people with low income.7 While the federal government sets the general standards and rules that states must follow, each state runs its programs, so eligibility requirements and specific types of coverage can vary.7 You can learn more about Medicaid eligibility on the Medicaid.gov website.
You should know that the federal government states that substance use and mental health services are essential health benefits.8 Marketplace healthcare plans must cover substance misuse and mental health services similar to how they cover medical and surgical services.8 Additionally, both Medicare and Medicaid offer some level of coverage for substance use treatment.9, 10
Ways to Pay for Rehab Without Health Insurance
Even if you don’t have Medicare and Medicaid, you can still research low-cost or state-funded rehabs in your area by contacting your local state agency.11 There are always ways to make ends meet and cover the cost of rehab without insurance, although you might have to be creative and research the specific types of assistance available in your situation.
For example, you might consider different routes to covering the cost of rehab, such as:
- Financing. Some rehabs offer financing that directly covers the cost of rehab with post-treatment repayment plans.1 It’s important that you understand the terms and conditions so you know exactly how much you’ll need to pay back.1
- Grants and scholarships. Some rehabs and programs, especially those in larger centers or hospitals, may offer need-based grants or scholarships.1 You should inquire about how these programs work if they cover the entire cost of treatment, and if there’s anything you’ll need to repay after treatment is over.1
- Sliding scales. Many rehabs offer sliding scales, where you pay based on your income.1 You will most likely need proof of income and your dependents.11 You can call rehabs to inquire if they offer sliding scales or other options that may lead to a lower overall cost.1
- Crowdfunding/fundraising. You can look into online platforms that allow people to set up fundraising campaigns to cover medical costs.
- Non-profit organizations. Some non-profits may help people find ways to access addiction treatment, and some, like the Salvation Army, may offer free rehab services to those in need.
- Community resources. Community resources, such as religious organizations, and local community health services may offer rehab services or financial assistance for treatment.
Start Your Recovery Today
If you or a loved one are struggling with substance misuse or addiction, you should know that treatment can help. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is a leading provider of evidence-based addiction treatment services, with rehabs nationwide.
While you can’t put a price on your health and well-being, we understand that the cost of treatment might seem daunting, and we’re here to help. Please call to speak to a caring admissions navigator about your treatment options and learn more about how you can make things work, even if you don’t have insurance.
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