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Options to Pay for Drug Treatment

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Rehab can be expensive but there are ways to make it more affordable

If you or a loved one is in need of substance abuse treatment and you have taken some time to look into drug treatment options, no doubt you have stumbled upon an obvious fact: Addiction treatment can be expensive! No matter what level of treatment is needed (hospitalization, inpatient, residential, intensive outpatient or outpatient), the cost of drug treatment can stretch individuals and families financially.

For the wealthiest of people and families (and make no mistake about it, addiction is as prevalent in the wealthy as it is in the poor), any type of treatment is easily affordable. This part of the population can fly anywhere and pay any amount for quality addiction treatment. On the other end of the spectrum, there are many great state-run facilities that cater to the indigent population. Many state-run, state-operated or state-funded treatment facilities deal specifically with those who have little or no finances. Many of these places are free or charge very little and will often work with those in need to get necessary state insurance or federal help in order to pay.

But what of the rest of the 90% of the population? What of the middle class that are often stretched in one of two directions? They have some means of paying for treatment but cannot afford $30,000 or more for 30 days of inpatient or residential treatment. What are they to do?

For the majority of the lower-middle, middle and upper-middle class, finding affordable addiction treatment can be difficult. However, there are some options to make drug treatment more accessible and affordable.

  1. Insurance

     State insurance will typically pay for local, state-run treatment centers. However, commercial insurances (for example: Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, Cigna and United Healthcare) will often cover some if not all of treatment costs. Now with healthcare parity and the Affordable Care Act (aka ObamaCare), insurance companies are required to offer mental health and substance abuse benefits for everyone and treat mental health and substance abuse as they would any other medical condition. Be careful to understand your health coverage. HMO policies will cover some or all of the cost of treatment centers that are “in network” with that specific insurance company. PPO policies often offer “out of network” benefits, meaning that they will cover more options and pay some or all of the cost of a wider range of quality facilities.

  2. Loans

     This could be a bank loan or a government loan or a personal, private loan from friends or family. Addiction is a chronic, progressive disease that is ultimately fatal if left untreated. Many people, when strapped for finances, will choose to forgo seeking treatment. This is a mistake. If a doctor diagnosed you with cancer or heart disease, you would find whatever means necessary in order to pay for the life-saving treatment needed. Addiction should be no different. Typical loans are possible and friends and family will often be willing to loan money for someone’s treatment, as long as specific terms are created and understood in order for the money to be paid back.

  3. Financing Treatment

     There are actually several companies that specifically deal with giving out financing options for mental health or drug addiction treatment services. Financing through a bank or through your credit card company is also an option. Additionally, some treatment centers and rehabs have their own financing departments. If cost is an issue when speaking to a drug rehab, always ask them about financing options.

  4. Scholarships

     Many treatment centers, especially those that are non-profit or not-for-profit have scholarship funds that offer full or partial scholarships for those in financial hardship. Understand, these scholarships are typically not given out thoughtlessly. Those applying will often need to go through an application process and offer their financial status to be reviewed. A treatment center will never expect people to pay money they don’t have, but they will not give out scholarships for those people who do have funds to pay for treatment and would choose to rather spend that money elsewhere.

Need Help? Contact a Recovery Professional Today

If you or someone you know is in need of help because of drug and/or alcohol abuse, please give us a call. Maryland Addiction Recovery Center offers the most comprehensive addiction treatment in the Baltimore city as well as Baltimore County and the entire Maryland area. If we aren’t the best fit for you or your loved one, we will take the necessary time to work with you to find a treatment center that better fits your needs. Please give us a call at (410) 773-0500 or email our team at Contact us today. For more information on all of our drug and alcohol addiction services and resources, please visit our web site at www.marylandaddictionrecovery.com.

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