Payment Options for Addiction Treatment

When you pay for rehab will depend on a variety of factors, including how you pay for rehab, how long you will be going to rehab, and more. If you are paying for rehab out-of-pocket, or as a “private pay” patient, your rehabilitation center will likely set up a payment plan with you that fits your needs. If you are using private health insurance to pay for rehab, you may only have to pay for rehab if you still owe a copay or deductible, or after your rehab bills your insurance company.

Yes, you can attend rehab with no private health insurance. There are plenty of options for those needing rehab who do not have insurance, including cash or self-payment, Medicaid, and more. In 2019, the mostly commonly accepted payment types at rehabilitation centers were cash or self-payment (90 percent), private health insurance (73 percent), and Medicaid (68 percent). Some treatment centers also reported accepting state-financed health insurance plan other than Medicaid (49 percent), federal military insurance (38 percent), Medicare (37 percent), and IHS/Tribal/Urban funds (12 percent).

Some rehabilitation centers may offer additional optional services that require an extra payment to utilize. Often, these optional services are of the luxurious nature and may consist of experiential therapies or luxury features.

AAC’s 90-Day Promise exists to translate our commitment to our patients and our investment in their long-term sobriety. When you invest in your sobriety by attending an American Addiction Centers facility and successfully complete 90 consecutive days at this rehab, we believe that you have created the most solid foundation for your long-term goals of sobriety. In the event that you experience a relapse, you are welcome back for a complimentary 30 days of treatment.

Yes, there are some state-funded options for those who wish to utilize Medicare or Medicaid coverage to receive addiction treatment.

Most private insurance policies, such as Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, United Healthcare, and more, will cover some form of addiction treatment. The breadth of your personal coverage will depend on your particular policy, the rehab center you attend, and more.

Yes, retirement account withdrawals can be performed prematurely (before the age of 59 1/2) to pay for medical expenses, such as drug and alcohol rehabilitation. You can borrow up to $50,000 you’re your 401(k) or other workplace retirement plan, or half the balance in your account (whichever is less). However, this will eventually entail gradual repayment with interest into your own account.

The cost of rehab varies by the level of care, length of stay, and amount that can be covered by insurance. Therefore the cost can vary tremendously depending on your situation. The average length of stay is about 30 days or more. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to afford the cost of rehab and cost should not deter you from finding life saving treatment for you or your loved ones.

There are a variety of ways to pay for rehab. Those include, insurance, private pay, loans, financing, and more. Other ways may be through early withdrawals of retirement accounts, credit cards, and crowdfunding (such as GoFundMe).

Certain changes in your life situation, known as qualifying life events—such as the loss of health coverage, a change in your household, or a change in residence—give you the opportunity to sign up for a new health insurance plan or make changes to an existing plan. Examples of qualifying life events include:

• Losing existing job-based, individual, or student health coverage.
• Losing Medicare, Medicaid, or Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) eligibility.
• Turning 26 years old and losing health coverage under your parent's insurance plan.
• Getting married or divorced.
• Having a baby or adopting a child.
• A death in the family.
• Moving to a different zip code or county that changes your health plan area.
• Moving to or from a place to attend school.
• Moving to or from a place you live and work as a seasonal worker.
• Moving to or from a shelter or other transitional housing.
• Income changes that impact your available options.
• Gaining membership in a federally recognized tribe or status as an Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Corporation shareholder.
• Becoming a U.S. citizen.
• Leaving jail, prison, or other incarcerated setting.
• Starting or ending service as an AmeriCorps member.

Since every situation is different, you may have to present documentation to show how the life event impacts your health insurance coverage.