Alcohol Rehab Insurance | Understanding Coverage & Costs

If you struggle with alcohol abuse or alcohol use disorder (AUD), it’s important to seek treatment at a drug rehab center. 

Some people avoid treatment due to the high cost of rehab. Fortunately, most health insurance plans will cover some or all of your treatment costs. 

How Much Does Alcohol Rehab Cost Without Insurance?

In general, a standard drug rehab program costs between $2,000 and $25,000 a month. 

However, the price can vary widely depending on numerous factors, including:

• the type of treatment center (for example, non-profit healthcare centers are usually free, while centers with luxurious amenities like gourmet food and swimming pools can cost far more than a standard treatment center)
• whether you choose inpatient treatment or outpatient treatment (inpatient programs usually cost more than outpatient programs)
• the length of your treatment

Health Insurance Policies That Cover Alcohol Rehab

As per the Affordable Care Act (ACA), all health insurance policies must provide some form of coverage for alcohol addiction treatment. 

This applies to private insurance policies (such as Cigna, Aetna, and Blue Cross Blue Shield) as well as public health insurance policies like Medicaid and Medicare.  

How Much Will Private Insurance Cover?

The specific insurance coverage you receive depends on your insurance plan. In most cases, the higher your monthly premium, the more coverage you’ll receive.

The majority of plans offer full or partial coverage for treatment services deemed medically necessary, such as:

• screening for alcohol abuse and alcohol use disorder
• medical detox to help you slowly and safely stop drinking alcohol
• mental health therapy, where you can develop healthy coping skills to manage drug abuse triggers
• support groups, where you can connect with other people recovering from substance use disorders
• medications to ease alcohol cravings and help you maintain recovery

Medical Necessity 

However, many health insurance companies won’t cover services they deem medically unnecessary, such as gourmet food, yoga classes, and massage therapy. In addition, some insurers won’t cover inpatient rehab that lasts more than 30 days. 

Similarly, some employer-sponsored insurance plans will only cover first-time addiction treatment. If you relapse and need additional treatment, your plan might not cover you. 

Deductibles

Also, even if your plan offers full coverage, you may need to pay a deductible before coverage begins. 

To learn more about your deductible and how much coverage you’ll receive, contact your health insurance provider. You should also contact any addiction treatment providers you’re interested in to make sure they’ll accept your insurance. 

How Much Will Public Insurance Cover?

The two most common forms of public health insurance are Medicare and Medicaid. 

Medicare

You may be eligible for Medicare if you’re over 65 or disabled. Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) can help cover inpatient alcohol rehab for a total of 190 lifetime days. Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) can help cover outpatient alcohol rehab.

Similarly, Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage) may help cover medications used to treat alcohol use disorder, such as acamprosate or disulfiram, as long as they’re deemed medically necessary.

To determine exactly how much coverage you’ll receive through Medicare, review your policy online or contact a Medicare representative.

Medicaid 

You may be eligible for Medicaid if you’re over 65, under 19, pregnant or a parent, or within a specific income range. 

Like Medicare, Medicaid can cover inpatient or outpatient alcohol rehab as well as prescription drugs used to treat alcohol use disorder. To find out how much coverage you can get through Medicaid, review your policy online or contact a Medicaid representative. 

Paying For Alcohol Rehab Without Insurance

If you don’t have insurance, you have other financing options for alcohol rehab. For instance, many rehab facilities offer payment plans. That means instead of paying a large sum all at once, you can pay in smaller increments over a certain period of time.

Loans & Scholarships

Another popular payment option is taking out a loan. You could ask a loved one for a personal loan or apply for a medical loan through a bank or other financial institution. 

Finally, some treatment facilities offer scholarships to cover some or all of your treatment costs. When searching for treatment programs, ask whether they offer scholarships and how to qualify. 

If you or a loved one struggles with alcohol, please contact an Ark Behavioral Health specialist to learn about our substance abuse treatment options.