Understanding the Cost of Rehab

The cost of rehab depends on different factors such as the kind of treatment and the quality of the rehab center to facilitate it.

A patient can either go for a low-cost or high-cost rehab center depending on one’s capacity to pay the treatment. In choosing a facility, one needs to compare the cost versus the quality of treatment to be received.

The price of any treatment usually depends on the following factors:

  • Treatment Type: There are two general options: inpatient and outpatient treatment. An inpatient treatment program costs more because the resident uses more facilities inside the rehab center such as beds, gyms, pools, and other things needed for activities incorporated in the program.
  • Rehab Amenities: In general, rehab centers with several amenities such as swimming pools, gyms, auditorium, and massage areas have higher treatment costs.
  • Location of the Rehab Center: A rehab center located in farther areas entails higher transportation cost compared to other centers situated in an urban area. Likewise, rehab centers commonly located in serene and beautiful environments have higher costs.
  • Types of Therapies: The kind of therapy included in the program also affects cost. In general, individual treatments cost higher compared to group therapies. Likewise, therapies that entail the use of expensive materials will also cost higher.
  • Treatment Duration: Typically, the price of the treatment increases with increasing treatment duration.

General Range of Rehab Cost

Mostly, it is the financial capacity of the patient which limits the quality and quantity of treatment availed for recovering. To gain better insight and prepare oneself financially for a rehab treatment, below are the general ranges for the cost of treatment in the United States.

Detox

Detoxification is the process of removing substances from the body. Most rehab centers price this at a range of $600 to $1,000 per day for a minimum duration of seven days. Meanwhile, some outpatient detox fees are within $1,000 to $1,500 per day.

The kind of substance to be removed also affects the cost. Typically, substances that are hard to remove from the body are priced higher.

Inpatient Rehab

A low-cost inpatient rehab may cost around $6,000 for a 30-day duration. Whereas, top-rated inpatient rehabs may cost around $14,000 to $27,000 for a 30-day program.

For a 60-day and 90-day program in a well-known rehab center, the cost is around $24,000 to $45,000, and $33,000 to $58,000 respectively.

Outpatient Rehab

The cost for outpatient rehab depends primarily on the length of the session, the frequency of consultation, and possible discounts for longer treatment programs.

In general, each session costs around $100 to $500 or some rehab centers offer $5,000 for a 3-month treatment program.

Intensive Outpatient Rehab (IOP)

The average cost for an intensive outpatient rehab is approximately $7,000 for a 10-week program.

Payment Options for Treatment

Deciding to overcome substance addiction and behavioral disorder by going into a rehab center is a great investment towards a healthy and productive life.

Limited financial capacity is not a total hindrance in availing treatment and getting better. There are several payment options available that may suit one’s financial condition.

  1. Personal Money (Cash, Debit or Credit Card)

This is the easiest and most convenient mode of paying one’s rehab treatment cost. If an individual has enough financial capacity, then paying in cash, debit, or credit card is most applicable.

Depending on the clinic, an individual can pay on a per session basis or instalment payment for the whole treatment program.

  1. Personal Bank Loan

If one does not want to use personal money in paying for the treatment, then that person can avail a personal loan in a bank given the person has a good credit rating. To have more knowledge and options, it is better if the individual contacts the bank.

  1. Solicit Cash Donations

The rising need for medical assistance is quite rampant today. With the advent of technology, any person can use online personal fundraising platforms such as Bonfire, Fundly, Edco, Double the Donation, and GoFundMe.

  1. Government Assistance

The United States government has pushed their efforts in giving assistance for people suffering from alcohol and drug abuse.

This government assistance includes the following:

State-Funded Treatments Centers

These treatment centers receive government funds to help the less fortunate individuals suffering from substance abuse gain treatment and recovery.

There are specific requirements and offerings for each treatment center depending on the state it is located in. SAMHSA provides the Directory of Single State Agencies (SSAs) for Substance Abuse Services which manages these programs in every state.

Federal Government Assistance - SAMHSA

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the major agency in the United States which provides federal support for treatment and recovery of people suffering from addiction and mental disorders.

This agency provides grants (“block grants”) for the rehabilitation of drug and alcohol dependents. Aside from that, the agency also helps women and children in promoting good physical and mental health.

Medicaid and Medicare

These two are both government-funded health insurance programs that aim to assist people.

Medicaid aims to provide health assistance to low-income people, women, children, and people with disabilities. Meanwhile, Medicare aims to provide health assistance for people aged 65 and older.

Veterans Administration

This program targets to help military personnel suffering from substance abuse and mental disorder.

Affordable Care Act (ACA)

This law aims to provide subsidies for medical and hospital costs for middle and low-income people. Likewise, it requires every citizen to have health insurance otherwise pay for a tax penalty. This can also cover rehab costs.

  1. Private Insurance

In general, there are three types of private insurance plans that can be used to pay for treatments costs.

Group Insurance

These are the ones offered in a company for their employees. Individuals with this insurance plan must check the details of the policy to know if it can cover rehab costs.

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)

The person must check if the rehab center is within the specified network of the policy. This plan does not require a claim form from individuals who wish to avail of care and reimbursements.

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)

Similar to HMO but offers higher treatment coverage for rehab centers within the network. For treatment centers out-the-network, there will just be subsidies for the cost.

Point-Of-Service Plans

This is a hybrid of a PPO and an HMO plan which gives the person more options for choosing a treatment center and medical personnel. There is still a reimbursement for out-of-network visits but for a lower fraction only.