Five Ways To Make Rehab More Affordable
I didn’t “hit bottom” until I lost everything to my addiction, my job, my house, my car, my savings account, and anything I ever owned that had any monetary value. I was finally ready to commit to rehab, to do whatever it took to get sober, but rehabs cost money, and I didn’t have any. And so my quest to find an affordable rehab began. This is what I learned along the way.
Insurance
If you are still working and have a health insurance plan, often times it will pay for a portion of your treatment. A few things to remember:
- Make sure you understand any limits that your insurance company has, such as how many days of treatment they will pay for, the level of treatment you are eligible to receive, and the total cost.
- Don’t forget to ask if you have any co-pays. They are usually billed by the day, so this will affect the length of a program you can participate in.
- When you choose an affordable rehab, be sure to ask if they take your insurance.
For those of you who do not have commercial insurance coverage, check into whether or not you will qualify for Medicare or Medicaid. Medicare is for people over 65 and those with disabilities. Some states deem addiction as a disability. Medicaid is for those with limited or no income. If you fall into any of these categories, do yourself a favor and apply as soon as possible. One or both of these programs may pay for part or even all your costs.
Sliding Scale Fees and Financing
Many facilities realize that their patients need affordable rehab, so they offer a sliding payment scale. This means your fees are based on what you can afford to pay according to your income. An affordable rehab usually assigns a financial planner to your case to help you figure out a payment plan. They may ask for recent pay stubs or bank statements if you have any.
Some rehabs also offer financing. This varies from program to program. You can look on the website for the rehab – sometimes they will indicate that they offer financing. If not you can try to call and ask if they offer financing for rehab – the worst that can happen is that you find out they do not.
Scholarships
Some of the more affordable rehabs award scholarships that will pay for part, or sometimes, even all of your treatment, so be sure to ask about that when contacting them.
State Funded Rehab Centers
Some states offer free rehab services via tax-supported facilities. These include inpatient or outpatient services and detox centers. Often times there is a waiting list, so you will want to make contact with these centers as soon as possible. You may also have to travel to a different part of your state, but the free treatment is well worth the trip.
Ask For A Loan
Approach a family member or friend to ask for a loan to attend an affordable rehab. While you may feel awkward making this request, you need to keep in mind that these are the people who care about you, and would probably be more than willing to help you if they can. Remember, they want you to be able to live a healthy, sober life. Be sure to make some sort of payment arrangements with them for after you complete the program and begin working. Let them know you are serious about getting well.
Attending an affordable rehab is the best investment you can make in yourself and your sobriety. You can get your life back without relying on drugs or alcohol. This is a second chance that you do not want to refuse.
The Anaheim Lighthouse is a modern and effective addiction treatment center in Southern California. To talk to us about financing options at our affordable drug and alcohol rehab that fit your needs, contact us today.
