Addiction is a common yet devastating problem that millions of Americans face each year. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 48.7 million people struggled with addiction in 2022.
While the best way to recover from a substance use disorder is professional rehab, it can be extremely expensive. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford to pay for addiction treatment out of pocket. Thankfully, addiction treatment programs are required to be covered by insurance companies.
If you do not have insurance, you might be wondering how to secure it before you attend rehab. There are many ways to go about obtaining private insurance, including asking your employer, using the marketplace, or waiting for open enrollment. There is also the possibility of obtaining short-term insurance if you are between coverage.
Receiving substance abuse treatment is necessary to recover from addiction. While finances are important, staying healthy and safe should be your priority. Getting an insurance plan that covers addiction treatment is not as hard as it seems.
Does Insurance Cover Drug and Alcohol Rehab?
Thanks to laws like the Affordable Care Act (ACA), insurance companies recognize addiction as an essential health benefit. This means they are required to cover addiction treatment services like rehab centers.
Whether you need alcohol addiction treatment or mental health treatment, your insurance company is required to cover at least some of the costs. The amount and type of coverage you receive will vary depending on the specific plan you have. For example, HMOs require you to choose an in-network facility for them to cover the costs of treatment.
How to Get Insurance For Rehab
If you do not currently have insurance, you might be able to find a healthcare plan before you begin addiction treatment. While navigating the health care and insurance system can be difficult, there are a few easy ways to secure a plan that works for you.
To get insurance that covers drug and alcohol rehab programs, use one of the following tactics:
Ask Your Employer
If you have a job, the first thing you should do is check to see if your employer offers insurance plans. Most companies have a healthcare plan for their employees. Typically, they pay a portion of the monthly cost of your insurance to make it more affordable.
Because using employment-based insurance can be a cheaper option, this is the best way to secure insurance before you go to a rehab facility.
Use the Healthcare Marketplace
The ACA set up a marketplace to make it easier for people to obtain private insurance. This website allows you to compare insurance plans that are available to you. If you do not have a job that offers insurance, this might be one of the easiest ways to obtain a plan that suits your needs.
Open Enrollment
Unless you have a qualifying life event, you may have to wait for open enrollment for health insurance. The open enrollment period is a designated time of the year when you can purchase and apply for insurance for the upcoming year.
For most states, open enrollment is between November 1st to January 16th. The only downside to using this method is that you might have to wait a while to begin using your insurance, as you can only apply during this specific period.
Explore Short-Term Insurance
If you missed the open enrollment period and do not have an active insurance plan, you might be able to secure short-term insurance. This type of insurance gives you temporary coverage during a lapse in permanent coverage.
The downside of short-term insurance is that it does not offer coverage for pre-existing conditions, however, it might be the solution you need until you can secure permanent insurance.
How to Pay for Rehab Without Insurance
Sometimes insurance is just not financially feasible for everyone. Additionally, it might be difficult for you to secure insurance if you are struggling with addiction and need treatment now. If you cannot get insurance in time, there are still some options available to you.
There are a few different ways you can go about paying for rehab without insurance. First, some treatment facilities offer payment plans. For example, treatment centers might have sliding scale fees that only require you to pay what you can afford based on your income.
Other options for paying for rehab without insurance include:
- Dipping into your savings
- Asking family and friends to loan you money for treatment
- Crowdsourcing on social media
- Finding a rehab program that offers payment plans
- Choosing a treatment option that is government-funded
- Looking for addiction treatment scholarships
- Taking out a personal or health care loan
While these options might not feel comfortable, receiving addiction treatment is the most important thing. Without rehab, you might not be able to keep a job, stay physically healthy, or maintain your relationships. Addiction also puts your life at risk by increasing your chances of a fatal overdose.
For these reasons, you should never let stress about your finances prevent you from receiving the help you need.
Verify Your Coverage Today
If you or a loved one needs help with drug or alcohol addiction, Mandala Healing Center is here to help. We offer compassionate, evidence-based, and holistic care for substance use disorders. We also offer treatment for any co-occurring mental health conditions you might struggle with.
Our dynamic addiction treatment methods provide a foundation for lifelong recovery by addressing the underlying causes of suffering in today’s families. Our patients are empowered to reclaim their lives and restore their health, free from addiction and substance misuse.
We believe everyone should have access to treatment, so we accept a wide variety of health insurance plans. Additionally, we offer free insurance verification with no obligation to choose our facility.
Contact the Mandala Healing Center today to verify your coverage and begin the addiction recovery process.