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How to Get Into Inpatient Drug and Alcohol Rehab Without Insurance

Navigating alcohol and drug rehab without insurance can be challenging, but it’s an important step toward reclaiming your life from addiction. Fortunately, there are ways to pay for rehab without insurance. This article will help you learn how to pay for rehab without insurance and other practical strategies for getting the help you need to begin recovery.

How to Get Alcohol or Drug Rehab Without Insurance

You can get alcohol or drug rehab without insurance, but you might be wondering how. Addiction treatment can be expensive, especially for those who are either uninsured or underinsured. Unfortunately, finances often act as a significant barrier to care for many people who need substance abuse treatment. Fortunately, if you need addiction treatment without insurance, there are many resources available to help you gain access to professional help.

While every state is different, most have some type of financial assistance available for those who have no insurance and need state-funded or low-cost or free drug or alcohol rehab programs.

If you are unsure about where to start, you can reach out to one of our admissions navigators at and they can provide information and support as you look for the right program. You can also use our treatment locator to find facilities near you that offer what you are looking for.

How Much Does Drug and Alcohol Rehab Cost Without Insurance?

The first question often asked by people in need of treatment is, ‘how much does drug rehab cost?’ You may be wondering, ‘how much does drug or alcohol rehab without insurance cost?’ The exact price of professional rehabilitation can vary significantly depending on many factors. Typically, the biggest factor involved in determining the cost of treatment is the type of treatment program a person chooses to attend.

There are many different types of alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs and the cost varies greatly depending on which facility you attend. Some of these choices include:

Generally, outpatient rehabilitation options will be relatively less expensive than their counterparts. Inpatient treatment centers tend to be more expensive because the person lives in the facility and receives daily meals, therapy, medical care, and supervision. Depending on the individual facility and the person’s length of stay, inpatient residential treatment can be very expensive.

Additional Factors Impacting the Cost of Drug and Alcohol Rehab

Other factors that may affect the cost of drug and alcohol rehab include:

  • Treatments offered and used: Different drug and alcohol treatment centers have additional staff, equipment, and specific expenses associated with each service provided, which contribute to the cost. Another consideration is the precise number and type of services a patient uses, meaning that the cost for one person may be different from the cost of drug addiction treatment for someone else at the same treatment center. One example of this is pharmacological treatment, which creates an additional cost for people who need to take medications.
  • Other services and amenities provided: Many addiction treatment centers provide additional services and amenities that increase costs. Private rehabs, luxury rehabs, and executive rehabs in particular are likely to cost significantly more, because they typically offer relatively high-end services and desirable amenities.
  • Location of the facility: The cost of alcohol rehab and drug addiction treatment can also vary depending upon the location of the facility. Treatment may cost less in certain areas than others and is typically more expensive in desirable, vacation-like locations such as beaches and mountain ranges. If you do have insurance, you may also have more out-of-pocket costs if you choose to attend an out-of-state facility where your insurance coverage may be reduced.
  • Duration of the program: The duration of the program you choose will also affect the cost of your rehab treatment. On average, drug and alcohol rehab treatment lasts from around 28 or 30 days to 90 days but, in severe cases, people may participate in a program for a period of 6­–12 months or longer. Generally, the longer you attend rehab for, the higher the cost will be.

Can I go to Addiction Treatment for Free?

To learn about free rehabilitation and low-cost insurance options, you can visit our pages on state-funded or low-cost or free drug or alcohol rehab programs.

In addition to state-funded and low-cost/free treatment programs, there are several ways to pay for addiction treatment.

Other Ways to Make Addiction Treatment Affordable Without Insurance

You may have no insurance and be unable to afford the cost of treatment. Perhaps you are looking for drug rehab for the uninsured or for affordable inpatient rehabilitation. Many rehab facilities will work hard to help you afford your stay in treatment. When you call to get help, ask them about options like:

  • Financing: Financing covers treatment costs directly and may offer a post-treatment repayment plan that suits your budget.
  • Grants and scholarships: Various organizations offer grants for rehab, including SAMHSA. You can also reach out to local treatment centers for potential grants or scholarships to assist with rehab costs, as many offer options for financial support.
  • Subsidized coverage: For those with limited income, subsidized coverage offers reduced premiums and treatment benefits, aiding addiction recovery.
  • Sliding scale fees: Some rehab facilities adjust fees based on what individuals can afford to pay.
  • Crowdfunding and fundraising: Online platforms allow individuals to create fundraising campaigns for medical expenses.
  • Non-profit organizations: There are various non-profit organizations dedicated to assisting individuals in accessing addiction treatment.
  • Community resources: Local community health centers, religious organizations, and social services might offer resources or financial assistance for rehab.

Exploring these options can help make rehab a reality, even without health insurance coverage for addiction treatment.

Do Medicare and Medicaid Cover Drug & Alcohol Rehab?

Medicaid and Medicare both may cover addiction treatment, but coverage will depend on which program you are enrolled. Additionally, not all rehabs accept Medicaid or Medicare, so you will need to verify that your facility of choice accepts your insurance.

Many people don’t fully understand the differences between Medicaid and Medicare and aren’t sure which one is right for them, so here’s a quick breakdown of the two programs: 3,4

  • Medicaid is a federal- and state-funded program that was originally created in 1965 to provide health insurance for those with very low incomes. While coverage varies depending on your state and Medicaid insurance provider, substance abuse treatment is typically covered, since the Affordable Care Act requires that all insurers, including Medicaid, provide coverage. However, not all treatment facilities accept Medicaid and not all of them will allow you to pay using Medicaid insurance coverage, so check with the facility that you plan to attend to make sure it will be accepted.
  • Medicare is another federal- and state-funded program established in 1965 that provides insurance for those older than 65 or who have a severe disability, regardless of income. In some cases, people qualify for and receive both Medicaid and Medicare for health insurance coverage. Medicare provides coverage for substance abuse and addiction rehab treatment in the following circumstances:
    • When a doctor declares that substance abuse treatment is medically necessary or sets up the plan of care.
    • When treatment is provided by a Medicare-participating facility or provider.

Inpatient addiction treatment is covered by Medicare Part A and out-of-pocket costs are the same as those for hospital stays. However, Medicare will only cover up to 190 days in a psychiatric hospital per lifetime.4 This rule does not apply to general hospitals.

Outpatient treatment—such as alcohol and drug counseling, pharmacological treatments administered at a doctor’s office, and patient education—are all covered under Medicare Part B at an 80-20-rate, meaning that Medicare pays 80% and the consumer or supplemental insurance is responsible for the remaining 20%. Prescription medications are covered under Part D. However, Part D will not cover methadone or buprenorphine for treating addiction. Methadone may be covered under Part A if administered at a hospital.4

How to Use COBRA for Addiction Treatment Coverage

To be eligible for COBRA, you must have insurance that is covered by COBRA, have experienced a qualifying event (including job loss), and be a qualified beneficiary. Your former employer will inform you of your eligibility to maintain your insurance through COBRA. You will have at least 60 days to decide if you would like to continue your coverage. Once you have decided to continue your coverage, you will sign up for COBRA and will be responsible for paying the entirety of your premium (what was previously covered by you and your employer).

Once you are enrolled in COBRA, you will have the same coverage as you had with your previous employer. This includes any mental health and substance abuse treatment that was covered through your insurance plan. If you are pursuing treatment while covered by COBRA, you will be responsible for paying your premium. Although it might be slightly more complicated than it was when you were employed, losing your job does not have to mean you cannot receive the substance abuse treatment that you need.

To see how you can afford treatment at an American Addiction Centers facility, complete the financing inquiry below to be put in touch with a navigator who can help determine your options.

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