If you’re considering treatment for substance abuse, don’t let worrying about rehab prices stop you. Several variables affect the cost of drug rehabilitation treatment. These include:
Different insurance plans will provide different coverage amounts. However, thanks to the Affordable Care Act, insurance plans are required to offer coverage for substance use disorder treatment in an amount equal to the medical and surgical coverage.
Whether you need an outpatient or inpatient program will have a large effect on the price.
Services such as 24-hour medical supervision, alternative therapies, and medication-assisted treatment may increase the cost to you.
The length of time you spend in treatment can double the overall price if you need 30,60, or 90 days in treatment.
Some treatment facilities have luxury rooms and executive programs that increase the price.
State-funded rehabs are free but have limited availability and limited treatment programs and there may be a waiting period to get in. After you’ve been accepted, it may take a couple of weeks to several months.
Drug Detoxification Treatment
Drug detoxification (detox) is a medical plan to eliminate the drugs in a person’s body and their dependence on them. Detox is often considered the first step in rehab. It prepares the person to go on to substance abuse treatment without the physical effects of the drug in the system.
The price of a detox program also depends on whether the person stays in the detox center or comes and goes as an outpatient. As you’ll see, the cost of detox varies widely as it does for other services. Detox may cost anywhere from $250 to $800 per day.
Advantages of Detox Treatment
- Medical supervision (withdrawal from some substances can be life-threatening)
- Medical professionals can prescribe medication to help with withdrawal symptoms
- Monitoring will make sure you complete detoxification safely and comfortably
- Less likelihood of relapse
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient drug rehab in Los Angeles is in a hospital and usually lasts for a 28 to 30-day period. These services tend to involve more extensive treatment. The benefits of inpatient treatment and living at the facility are:
- Immediate access to detox services, counseling, and group therapy
- Patients have daily supervision to make sure the treatment is effective
A 30-day inpatient program may vary anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 depending on the clinic and there may also be an admission fee.
Residential Rehabilitation
Residential rehab plans exist outside the hospital system. They are live-in facilities like inpatient services. Short-term services are usually 3 to 6 weeks and long-term care can be 6 to 12 months. The residential rehab price ranges between $5,000 and $80,000 depending on luxury amenities.
Advantages of Residential and Inpatient Treatment
- Residents have a secure and sober environment with no access to substances
- Medical monitoring during detox and throughout recovery
- Lower chance of relapse
- Individual and addiction treatment therapy programs plus alternative therapies
- Less exposure to environmental triggers
- Confidentiality
- Regular assessments of your progress
Disadvantages
- It is necessary to take time off from school, work, and home obligations
- Price
Outpatient Services
Outpatient services are medical tests or procedures that can be done in a treatment facility without being admitted as a patient. Many procedures and tests can be done in a few hours. Outpatient services include:
- Prevention and wellness, such as counseling
- Diagnoses, such as lab and psychological evaluations
- Treatment, such as counseling
- Rehabilitation, such as drug or alcohol rehab
Outpatient services are less expensive and less extensive than residential or inpatient treatment. Nevertheless, there are several levels of outpatient care that can have an effect on the cost. They are the following:
A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is sometimes also called a day program and is the highest level of outpatient care. In a PHP, a person receives the same level of treatment intensity as in a residential program, but they don’t live at the facility. Depending on the facility, you may attend sessions at the treatment facility 5 to 7 days per week. If you have a stable home but need residential treatment, this might serve as an appropriate alternative.
An intensive outpatient program (IOP) can provide a lover level of intensive care without the time necessary for a PHP. People with mild to moderate addiction may find this appropriate. It is also often used as a step-down program from a higher level of care. IOP’s typically require 2 or 3 days of treatment for about 3 hours per day. Of course, this all depends on the facility.
General outpatient programs require fewer hours of treatment–generally once or twice a week for an hour. This is a good way to continue treatment after formally completing another program.
- Less expensive because you don’t live at the facility
- Lower chance of relapse in PHP
- Outpatient staff members are well-trained in the service they provide
- Treatment may specialize in one type of treatment
- Frequently, all the treatment you need can be provided in one place
- Insurance is more likely to cover outpatient treatment
- Emergency medical care may not be available round-the-clock
- Higher potential for access to alcohol or drugs
- Life-threatening or dangerous withdrawal symptoms
- More possibility to relapse
General outpatient care may range between $1,400 to $10,000 for 30 days. The cost is generally higher for the higher levels of outpatient care. And, as previously mentioned, there are other factors that affect the cost. This illustrates why it is necessary to contact the facility before making a decision. Still, any price you may have to pay is a worthwhile investment to save your life or the life of a loved one.
Focus on Treatment
Generally speaking, there are other pros and cons for each treatment option, and some of them are debatable. The ones mentioned above are true at most facilities. However, you can disregard all the reasons and focus on the one listed for residential, inpatient, and PHP advantages: lower chance of relapse. This is your life and if you want it back, you may need to do things you don’t necessarily want to. After you’re clean and sober, you’ll be glad you did.
Sober Living Homes
After people complete their formal residential or inpatient treatment, they are faced with returning to their former living environment. At this point, some people choose a sober living residence. If you are not confident in returning to independent living or you need a stable home while in outpatient care, these drug-and alcohol-free homes can be vital in maintaining your sobriety and helping you stay on your recovery journey.
Advantages of Sober Living Homes
You get a chance to interact with different people who will have their own perspectives on sobriety to share and that you can apply to your own life.
An important benefit is the ongoing structure and support you need in recovery. Housing staff is trained to provide ongoing care and to ensure that all residents stick to the rules of the house.
In sober living, you’ll learn important life skills that you let slide during your active addiction. You will learn skills such as:
- Doing laundry
- Grocery shopping
- Finding a job and keeping it
- Going to work every day
- Exercising
- Maintaining personal hygiene
Many people are afraid of failing when they finish treatment and are scared to make the transition back to the real world. Sober-living homes make the transition smoother because you’ll begin to understand that sober living is a path you’ll be on for the rest of your life.
In sober living, possible triggers to relapse don’t surround you the way they would if you go home immediately following treatment.
Sober Living Costs
As with everything, prices vary greatly. Sober living prices range from $1,500 per month to $20,000 for long-term private facilities.
Accessing Rehab with Medicare and Medicaid
Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California) and Medicare are health insurance programs that are funded by the federal and state governments. They offer coverage for substance abuse treatment programs. Medicare is available to Americans over the age of 65, regardless of income. Depending on their situation, it is available for certain individuals under 65.
Medicaid is generally available to low-income people. Eligibility requirements depend on the state of residence. If you’re wondering if you can find state-funded drug and alcohol rehabs that accept Medicare and Medicaid, you can. Many drug rehabs accept these government programs. Contact your state Medicare and Medicaid agency to find out if you qualify for one of the programs. There may be state-funded rehabs near you or other facilities that accept Medicare and Medicaid.
Accessing Rehab through The Affordable Care Act (ACA)
The Affordable Care Act mentioned earlier expanded coverage so that more Americans can have access to health insurance. The ACA stipulates that both mental and behavioral health disorders are covered the same as physical health disorders. This includes SUD treatment including:
- Medical detoxification
- Inpatient or residential treatment
- Outpatient treatment
- Therapy
- Additional services deemed to be necessary
You can get ACA coverage through the Healthcare Marketplace.
Alternative Financing
- Credit card
- Personal loan
- 401(k) or IRA plan
- Crowdfunding sites
- Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant provided by SAMHSA
- Salvation Army
- HFA medical loan–apply online at paybyhfa.com
- CareCredit credit card–apply at carecredit.com
Questions to Ask a Rehab Center
Of course, you certainly should inquire about the rehab prices. And always remember that these prices vary widely among facilities. Once you’re ready to contact rehab centers, here are some other important questions to ask.
- Do you have a physician on-site?
- Are your personnel medically trained?
- Are you licensed by the state?
- Are you accredited by The Joint Commission?
- Are you able to treat other mental health issues?
- What insurance do you accept?
Westwind Recovery® Can Customize Treatment for Your Needs
At Westwind Recovery®, we can provide you with the following advantages. We offer 3 levels of outpatient programs:
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
- Outpatient Program (OP)
If you are comfortable and stable at home, one of our outpatient programs could be the perfect option for you.
And if you need more support while in treatment, Westwind Recovery® has seven sober living residences in the Los Angeles area. You will benefit from learning from other people going through the same experiences as you and building supportive relationships that can last a lifetime.
Therapy programs are the treatment that makes the difference between success and relapse. At Westwind, we have licensed, experienced addiction therapists who are trained in several approaches to behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapies are evidence-based therapies that have been shown to be effective in treating substance use disorders.
In addition, our counselors can create an individualized treatment plan that may include our alternative therapies such as art therapy, adventure therapy, and music therapy. We can also offer treatment for individuals who are suffering from a co-occurring mental health disorder, known as a dual diagnosis program.
Let’s Talk About Options
Call our admissions specialists. You have questions and we can provide answers. We will do all we can to check your insurance coverage or help you through other options. No one should worry about money when their life or that of a loved one is on the line.
It All Comes Down to This…
While you’re doing everything you can to find a way to access treatment and worrying about the rehab price, keep this in mind. Your life, your well-being, and that of your family should be the main consideration. Everything else should take a back seat. Contact us today to begin.
Dr. Deena is the Chief Clinical Officer of Westwind Recovery®, an award-winning outpatient treatment center in Los Angeles where she oversees the clinical and administrative program and treatment methods. Dr. Deena is a doctor of psychology and licensed clinical social worker since 1993. LCSW #20628. Originally from the East Coast, Dr. Deena has worked running treatment centers, worked as a therapist in psychiatric hospitals as well as school settings and currently has a thriving private practice in the LA area. Dr. Deena has appeared regularly on the Dr. Phil Show as an expert since 2003. She has also been featured on many other TV shows, podcasts and has contributed to written publications as well as podcasts.
