When a drug addiction is taking over your loved one’s life, you may spend countless hours worrying about their future. Unfortunately for some, paying for drug rehab when a loved one doesn’t have health insurance is yet another concern. This is a difficult problem too many families have to face.
There are ways to find and pay for a good treatment facility without health insurance. You can even combine several of the methods below in order to get the rehab help your loved one needs.
8 Tips on Paying for Rehab Without Insurance
Use these strategies if insurance is not an option for addiction treatment. Also be sure to look at different rehab options and programs to find the most affordable therapy and get the most for your money.
1. Explore Financing Options
This can be the best option if you do not have money available to spend. Contact the facility you are interested in and ask them about their financing options. The best benefit to financing is that the first payment is often not due until after treatment is complete. Some even give a six-month grace period to find a job and get settled before payments are due.
If the rehab facility you contacted doesn’t have financing available, they may have other options (like the ones below) to help you pay for treatment. Focus on getting the best treatment possible and the facility will help you identify the best payment option.
2. Scholarships
Make a list of treatment centers near you and call each to ask if they offer scholarships to those without insurance. Many facilities have scholarships for those who can’t afford to pay for rehab.
3. Grants
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has grants that your loved one can apply for if they cannot pay on their own. Read all of the requirements to see if he or she qualifies.
Rehab Assessment
4. Sliding Scale
Treatment facilities are often willing to work with you and your loved one to see what can be afforded based on income and financial status.
5. Subsidized Coverage
If someone is unable to afford insurance, he or she might qualify for subsidized coverage with reduced premiums through Affordable Care Act insurance.
6. Personal Savings
This can be the last thing you want to use a savings account for, but it’s worth the investment to pay for an addiction treatment program.
7. Borrow Money from Family & Friends
Have your loved one send a personalized email explaining his/her story of addiction and why help is needed. People can be willing to help those they love get on the right track toward sobriety. Family members are also encouraged to get involved in the recovery process at many treatment centers, like Footprints.
8. Raise Money
There are a few ways to do this, which include selling certain belongings to raise money. Another option is starting an online fund through a site like GoFundMe.
How to Become Insured
You might decide during this process that the time is right to find your child or family member an insurance policy that fits his/her life. There are several ways to browse what’s best for their situation and income.
Using the Healthcare Marketplace
Open enrollment is going on now through December 15 and you can find several choices at healthcare.gov. The marketplace allows you to apply for coverage and show all options, and any subsidies, that are available. Student plans are even offered if eligible. Plus, all the policies offered here must cover substance abuse services. But be sure to compare the plans to see what type of coverage it provides and how much out-of-pocket expense it requires.1
Contact a Health Insurance Broker
They can show you and your family member what is available and compare the policies and premiums to those in the marketplace.
No matter which option you choose, it has to meet your loved one’s needs. Be sure it’s not just inexpensive, but has the appropriate coverage for what they require for drug rehab and beyond.
Finding the Right Rehab Center
Once the payment strategy is decided upon, don’t delay in finding the best facility and getting the help your child or family member needs. At Footprints, we believe finances should not prevent someone from getting addiction help. Contact us today to learn about our finance plans and any insurance providers we accept. Our goal is to make substance abuse treatment easier to access for everyone.
References:
1. The Smart Way to Buy Cheap Health Insurance. TheMotleyFool.com (accessed Nov 12 2018).
FAQs
Does insurance cover drug rehab?
A lot of insurance plans pay for addiction care. Still, what counts as covered can vary. It depends on the exact policy. Different plans may list different treatment sites.
What types of insurance plans cover addiction treatment?
Marketplace plans can cover substance-use treatment. Some employer plans also offer coverage. Medicaid and Medicare may include coverage too.
How do I check if my insurance covers rehab?
Phone your insurance company or the care center and ask if they accept your plan. Find out what you will have to pay before the visit, and ask the copay amount. Ask if they require prior approval.
What if my insurance does not cover the full cost of rehab?
Check options for paying in parts. Look into financing too. Ask if they use a sliding fee. See whether scholarships are available.
What treatment costs are typically not covered by insurance?
Your plan might not cover out-of-network bills. It may also leave out luxury perks, upgrades to private rooms, and travel costs. Some plans do not pay for services that are not medically needed.
