Unfortunately, millions of Americans suffer from some sort of addiction every year. Indeed, according to at least one report, almost 15% of Americans will suffer from addiction at some point in their lives. These numbers fluctuate from year to year, but it is important to remember that the pain is very real for those who are addicted. These issues are often compounded by the fact that our rehabilitation system is overburdened, short-staffed, and far too expensive for many to afford. All of these issues lead to a crucial question: How do people pay for rehab?
It can be a struggle, but thankfully, there are tens of thousands of people in rehabilitation every day. Despite the fact that it is incredibly expensive, people are able to find ways to afford rehabilitation services from alcohol, drugs, and various other addictive disorders. The following article will list the various options for payment when it comes to rehabilitation services.
Payment options when it comes to rehabilitation
Generally speaking, there are two options when it comes to how people pay for rehabilitation: Public pay or private pay. Public pay means that the payment for the rehabilitation services will come from some sort of taxpayer-funded service. More often than not, this means Medicaid or Medicare. Medicaid and Medicare are payment options for various healthcare services that are used in the United States. Established in the 1960s, they were meant to serve as the backbone of the United States’ healthcare system, particularly for people who otherwise could not get access to healthcare. Medicare is used by the elderly and certain other people with serious health conditions, while Medicaid is a program primarily used by the poor. Both are funded by a combination of federal and state taxpayer dollars. Thankfully, both services can be utilized when it comes to paying for rehabilitation or addiction services.
However, many providers have expressed concerns about the regulatory burden of these services, as well as inadequate reimbursement rates. As such, not every rehabilitation facility accepts Medicaid or Medicare patients. If you are on either of these services, reach out to the facility in question and find out whether or not they will accept Medicaid or Medicare. You can also visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website in order to find a facility that does accept this payment plan. Fortunately, some hospitals and doctors’ offices are able to take you on, regardless of what you can afford to pay, as a result of their need to provide uncompensated care. This is often tied directly to a facility’s non-profit status. Again, you should reach out to the facility in question to determine if this is an option for you.
The other funding option is private pay. This means that people will use their own private insurance, or pay out of their own pocket. Fortunately, all insurance plans are required to cover addiction and rehabilitation services. Thanks to the passage of the Affordable Care Act, all insurance plans must cover recovery services from drug or alcohol abuse. This may take a variety of forms, including covering detox, therapy, mental health services or in-patient recovery. However, keep in mind that this does not mean all services will be completely covered: You may still have to make expensive co-pay or deductable payments in order to be able to access these services. Furthermore, it is possible that there will be limitations on the types of services covered. It is worth reaching out to your insurance company in order to determine what your financial obligation may be.
Both of these options exist to be used by individuals who are in need of rehabilitation services. Tragically, neither are any guarantee that the insurance offered will be enough to afford rehab. However, there is good news here: Many rehabilitation facilities may be able to work out some sort of payment plan in order to get you the help you need. You should never let finances be a barrier to ensuring that you can recover from your disorder: A good and healthy life may only be a phone call away. For more information, visit our website at WEBSITE or call us today at 833-820-2922. Our trained staff will walk you through the various options in order to determine how we can help you get clean.