Addiction to any substance is one of the banes of present-day society. That is why many people are in dire need of rehab services, even though only a fraction can afford to pay for them out of their pockets. Many rehab facilities abound, but the problem is usually the cost. And while you may have health insurance, you may not be sure whether or not the policy you tool covers substance abuse and addiction treatment expenses.
This is the part you reach your insurance provider to find out if you have adequate coverage. If you do, find out what it covers and how much you have to pay from your pocket. Most health insurance policies cover addiction treatments (Refer to this Meritain Health Insurance rehab coverage article to see what such insurance should cover). However, several factors affect the percentage of coverage for such an expense.
Consider the policy terms. If your health insurance covers this expense, the clauses in the policy will determine how much of it is left for you to pay. Also, the duration of the treatment and rehab of choice matter.
Some facilities are much more expensive than others. A basic policy may be insufficient to cover most of the treatment expenses, so you may want to keep it in mind. Note that not all rehab centers accept insurance as payment, even though it is fast becoming a thing of the past.
But the Affordable Care Act stipulates that all health insurance policies must cover alcohol and drug addiction treatments. These policies include private, state-financed, and military insurance policies. Medicare and Medicaid are also included and some states qualify individuals with disability insurance for inpatient alcohol addiction treatment.
General Cost of Rehab
Typically, a standard rehab center costs between $2500 and $20,000 every month; this range is an estimation based on the average from both big and small centers. Elite rehabs may cost as much as $80,000 every month, but only the extremely wealthy or celebrities can afford them. Several centers are entirely free of cost, while others have subsidized costs.
With this figure in mind, the cost of rehab with insurance can vary depending on the type of policy and how much you spend on it. It can also depend on the cost of the rehab of choice. For instance, if you choose a rehab that costs $10,000 every month and your policy only covers 60% of that money, you still have to come up with $4000 out of your pocket. Compared to someone with the same policy but who goes to a rehab that costs, say, $5000, the extra is much smaller and easier to cover out of pocket.
These prices depend on the type of program you choose. If you choose a medication detox program that runs for one month, it can cost between $200 and $800 a day. For a three-month outpatient care program, the price may run between $1500 and $10,000 for the duration. A one-month intensive outpatient treatment program may cost up to $10,000, but an inpatient program may cost more, depending on the facility and the duration of stay. Visit https://www.help.org/ to learn more about the cost of rehab.
Contact your insurance provider to find out what it covers, how long it covers it, and the remainder of the cost. That way, you can plan for other sources of funding to cover the extra if you do not immediately have it.
There is also the option of going for a free-of-cost rehab or a one with a subsidized price. While they may not offer everything available in other facilities, these rehabs do not compromise on their standards or services. You save some money and get the help you need. Alternatively, get financial assistance from a loved one, a loan from your employer or lender, or a scholarship from the treatment facility.
How Much Does Addiction Cost?
Substance abuse centers mostly on drugs and alcohol and substance abuse is an expensive habit to have. If you compare the cost of constantly buying drugs or alcohol and how much it costs to rid yourself of the habit, one falls short of the other.
The demand for alcohol has made it popular, even though it solves nothing but only delivers temporary relief. The same is true of any drug. The total amount you spend on alcoholic drinks, whether you buy at a bar or stock your cellar, varies but the least amount is $3500 every year. If you combine both drugs and alcohol, that amount goes up. This is just an estimation, as it is almost always higher.
Apart from the substance itself, there is the risk of losing your source of income. If you work in a place that carries out random drug tests, you may fail and lose your job. Also, always being inebriated affects the quality of work you deliver. The same applies if you own your business. Eventually, the work suffers and you lose in the long run.
Additionally, substance abuse and addiction take a toll on your health. Over time, the substances affect major organs such as your liver and deteriorate your health. This may take a while to happen and for some, it never gets to that point. However, it also affects savings if you are constantly ill.
Lastly, there are loved ones to consider. Addiction does not affect only one person; the people around you also suffer. When you compare these factors with how much you may spend in recovering, you realize paying for rehab services costs less. Check out this article for additional information on rehab costs.
Conclusion
How much rehab costs with insurance does not have one answer. The answer depends on several factors, from the location of the rehab of choice, the type of program, the insurance policy, and amenities. There is also the insurance carrier and the regulations. All health insurance policies are not the same.
So, even if the carriers are stipulated by law to cover the expenses of addiction treatment, the specific policy you have may not cover the entire treatment expenses. Fortunately, there are other payment options to explore, such as taking a work loan, using a lender, borrowing from loved ones, or using free facilities.
