Addiction continues to affect millions of Americans each year. Unfortunately, many people struggling with substance use disorders avoid attending treatment, largely because they are worried about the cost.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), while 10% of the population struggles with addiction, 75% of them never receive the help they need.[1]
While addiction treatment can be expensive, intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are usually cheaper than other types of facilities like inpatient rehab. The cost of an IOP can vary greatly depending on the specific program, the amenities they offer, how long you need treatment, and more.
What is Included in the Cost of an Intensive Outpatient Program?
Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) offer comprehensive and personalized addiction treatment on an outpatient basis. They are more time-intensive than a standard outpatient program (OP) but more flexible than an inpatient program or PHP.
When you pay for IOP, you will receive a wide variety of treatment services like individual therapy, group counseling, and relapse prevention planning to help you achieve long-lasting sobriety.
While all intensive outpatient programs are different, most of them include the same basic services. If you want to know what your money is going towards, you can expect the following treatments to be included in the cost of an IOP:
- Individual therapy sessions
- Group counseling
- Psychoeducational support groups
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) services
- Relapse prevention planning
- Case management services like vocational or legal assistance
Additionally, most intensive outpatient programs offer treatment sessions three to five days per week depending on your needs. Typically, you will spend three hours each day attending therapy and counseling sessions. The cost of an IOP includes the time you will spend at the facility each day per week.
What Factors Affect the Price of IOP?
The cost of intensive outpatient treatment varies from program to program. There are factors to take into consideration that might cause certain facilities to cost more than others, such as:
Location
The cost of living varies by state and city, and this can have an impact on the cost of operating an intensive outpatient program. If your IOP is in a coastal town and located minutes from the beach, it might cost more than other programs in cheaper locations. On the other hand, if you find an IOP in an area of your state that has a lower cost of living, the overall cost should be lower.
Amenities and Services Offered
While IOPs offer fewer amenities than inpatient rehab programs, some of them have holistic treatments like yoga, meditation, and massage for you to take advantage of. When an intensive outpatient program offers extensive amenities, you can expect to pay more for treatment.
Additionally, some IOPs offer specialized services like medication-assisted treatment, dual diagnosis treatment, or trauma-informed care. This means they are hiring and paying specialists to work at their facility, which will cause their program to cost more overall. However, usually, this means you will receive a higher level of care, which can make it a price worth paying.
Duration of Treatment
Another thing to consider is how long you will be attending an intensive outpatient program. Most facilities price their program per day, which means spending 90 days in an IOP will cost more than 30 days of treatment.
While the length of your treatment program can affect the cost, you should never try to cut down on how long you spend in an IOP. When the facility assesses you to determine how long you need services, they are doing so based on your specific needs. Spending less time in treatment could directly affect how prepared you are to tackle sobriety independently.
Insurance Coverage
While many intensive outpatient programs accept health insurance, some of them do not. Typically, it will be substantially more expensive to pay for treatment out-of-pocket than using your insurance. It is best to choose an IOP that accepts your health insurance plan, especially if you are concerned about the cost.
How Can You Pay for IOP if You Don’t Have Insurance?
Even though intensive outpatient programs are significantly cheaper than other forms of addiction care, they might cause you some financial strain. This is especially true if you do not have health insurance and have to pay out-of-pocket. Thankfully, there are some ways to make IOP more affordable.
If you cannot pay for IOP with insurance, consider choosing one of the following options:
- Choosing a program that offers financing or sliding-scale payment plans
- Taking out a healthcare or personal loan
- Asking friends and family for donations
- Finding a program that offers scholarships or charity care
While the cost of intensive outpatient programs can be difficult to swallow, the support you receive will be worth it in the long run. Attending addiction treatment of any kind will offer you the tools and services you need to stay sober, which can save your life, keep you out of trouble, and prevent you from experiencing long-term physical and mental health effects.
Find an Intensive Outpatient Program Near You
If you or a loved one struggles with addiction, it’s time to consider professional treatment. At Mandala Healing Center, we pride ourselves on offering our clients with compassionate, well-rounded, and holistic care.
To learn more about our highly-rated intensive outpatient program, contact us today.
References:
- The National Institutes of Health (NIH): 10 percent of US adults have drug use disorder at some point in their lives, Retrieved January 2024 From https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/10-percent-us-adults-have-drug-use-disorder-some-point-their-lives