How to Pay for Drug Rehab Center Without Insurance

Can I Go to Alcohol and Drug Rehab Center Without Insurance?

The US is facing a rising problem with alcohol and drug addiction. In 2019 alone, there were 70,630 deaths from drug overdose.1 

One of the main reasons why many individuals struggling with substance abuse don’t get the help they need is lack of funds.2 In 2011, about 37% of people who didn’t receive adequate treatment reported that it was because they didn’t have the necessary funds. An additional 10% said their insurance didn’t cover the treatment.2

Fortunately, people seeking addiction therapy without insurance can choose between a number of other ways to pay for rehab without insurance. Eight percent of rehab facilities accept Access to Recovery (ATR) vouchers, and the same percentage accepts HIS, Tribal, or Urban funds. Finally, around 90% of drug rehab facilities accepts cash or self-payment.3 

Keep on reading to learn how you or your loved one can pay for drug or alcohol addiction treatment without private insurance. 

Payment Options for Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment Without Insurance

In 2011, nearly 60% of people older than 25 who were admitted into rehabilitation facilities didn’t have any healthcare insurance.2 Fortunately, there are various financing options to get substance abuse treatment without insurance.

Payment Plans

If you are in need of addiction treatment, you can contact a potential treatment facility and ask if they offer any payment plans for drug rehab without insurance. The same goes for people who need rehab for alcoholism with no insurance. Many institutions are flexible and will work with you to help you finance your rehabilitation.3

Loans and Credit Options

Several financial institutions provide loans or credit options for substance abuse treatment. Most have lower interest rates, and many can cover the entire cost of your drug treatment without insurance. Some of them include My Treatment Lender, Prosper and LightStream.4, 5,6

There are also several low-interest credit cards that you might be able to pay back once you get better. Some even specialize in healthcare financing. Two of them are CareCredit and United Medical Credit.7,8

Fundraising Campaign

Crowdsourcing sites have become a common place for people who are not sure how to pay for drug rehab without insurance in any other way. Many people use crowdsourcing (also known as crowdfunding) sites for gathering money for their rehabilitation. One of the most common crowdsourcing websites is GoFundMe.9,10

Scholarships

In recent years, more and more scholarship programs have become available to individuals struggling with SUDs. One of the most notable programs is the 10,000 Beds Scholarship Program.11

Sliding Scale

Sliding scale fees are a type of cost that can be adjusted depending on a certain factor. In the context of healthcare, this factor is usually the patient’s income. In other words, someone with a lower income would have to pay less compared to a person with a much higher income.12

Some facilities offer sliding scale payments for people looking for no insurance drug treatment centers.3 Keep in mind that this isn’t a guaranteed service and that you’ll likely have to bring proof of your income.

Faith Based Rehabs

Faith Based and Community Initiatives (FBCI) offer help to members of faith-based and community organisations.13 In 2021, about 78% of US citizens identified as religious.14 Many of them might be eligible to get help for paying for their rehab by some FBCI organizations.13

Non-Profit Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers

In 2017, about 53% of drug treatment facilities were non-profit rehab centers which provided care to about 49% of patients.3 These facilities tend to be more affordable compared to other, for-profit facilities, because in many cases they can be exempt from taxes.3 These facilities can be an amazing option for someone looking for drug and alcohol rehab without insurance.

Ask Family or Friends for Help

Finally, you can always try asking your family or friends to help you get the funds you need to recover. Many people surely wish you well and would be glad to do all they can to help you. Around 26% of patients admitted at drug or alcohol treatment without insurance used finances from their family members.2 

Medicare and Medicaid for Drug Rehab Programs

Medicaid is the largest healthcare insurance carrier in the US.15 It is a joint federal and state program providing low-cost or free insurance coverage to applicants with low income who are:16

• Older than 65.
• Younger than 19.
• Pregnant.
• Caring for a child.
• With disabilities.

Similarly, Medicare is a federal insurance program that mainly covers people who are:17

• Older than 65.
• With disabilities.

About 64% of outpatient and residential treatment centers accept Medicaid, while 35% of them accept Medicare.3 Keep in mind that, in some states, Medicaid will cover all adults below a specific income level.16 Both Medicare and Medicaid. offer financial coverage for people in poverty who meet their requirements.17

In most cases, Medicaid will cover the following services (partially or entirely):18  

• Screenings
• Intervention
• Long-term residential treatment
• Craving and maintenance medications
• Detox
• Family counseling
• Inpatient care
• Outpatient visits
• Various mental health services

On the other hand, Medicare consists of four parts designed to provide care for individuals who need to apply to drug treatment without insurance19:

• Part A offers insurance for up to 60 days in inpatient rehabilitation.
• Part B covers up to 80% of costs for outpatient care.
• Part C is private Insurance for people who want more benefits.
• Part D serves to help cover the costs of medications that manage cravings and help with withdrawal symptoms.

An individual can be eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid and get benefits from both programs to get rehab help without insurance.17

Treatment Types for Alcohol & Drug Addiction

There are several available addiction treatment types for people looking for no-insurance rehabilitation. Every patient with an SUD requires a unique approach, so there isn’t a single treatment that would be adequate for everyone.20 Some common options include the following: 

• Detox is usually the first step in the rehabilitation process. It is often necessary for helping people fight dangerous symptoms of withdrawal. The withdrawal occurs when the body of an individual addicted to a substance tries to get rid of opioid or alcohol toxins.20 Many no-insurance detox centers can help you go through this process as safely and comfortably as possible.21
• Inpatient rehabilitation programs provide individuals struggling with severe SUD with 24-hour intensive care.20 People can go to many inpatient rehabs without insurance, as long as they provide the funds in some other way or choose a free rehab center.3 No-insurance residential drug rehab centers provide housing for people who cannot deal with their SUD alone, while other facilities also offer hospital care. 20
• Outpatient treatment programs are for individuals with a milder case of SUD, or for individuals that have completed their inpatient programs.20 They provide people with therapies that will help them stay sober, without the need to stay at the facility for the duration of their treatment program. 21
• Sober Living Homes are substance-free residences where individuals recovering from SUD voluntarily choose to live together. They provide a supportive environment that helps people in their recovery.22

How Much Does Drug or Alcohol Rehab Cost?

The price of addiction rehab varies depending on many factors. This includes the severity of your SUD, the facility, and the type of treatment you require.21 Fortunately, there are many rehabs for people with no insurance and for people of all incomes.3

Overall, the cost of addiction rehab is likely to be as follows:

• Detox: $600-$1,000 per day, for a minimum of 7 days
• Inpatient and residential: $200-$900 per day, treatment lasts 30 to 90 days
•  Outpatient: $100-$500 per session

While inpatient treatment tends to be more costly, it provides better care for people with severe cases of SUD. On the other hand, outpatient treatment is more affordable and it is adequate for people with mild to moderate addictions.23 

Addiction Treatment Help Through Support Groups

Twelve-step support groups are another great option for people looking for local rehab centers for the uninsured. They are mutual aid organizations that help people recover from substance abuse. The first twelve-step program was Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) which was developed in 1935.24

Following the AA’s approach, various other support groups and organizations utilized twelve-step programs into their own way of battling addiction. They use ‘Twelve Traditions’ to help recovering addicts feel like a part of the ‘fellowship’ to help them recover.25

Some of the support groups that rely on twelve-step programs are:

• Alcoholics Anonymous.
• Narcotics Anonymous.
• Cocaine Anonymous.
• Crystal Meth Anonymous.
• Celebrate Recovery.
• Gamblers Anonymous.
• Heroin Anonymous.
• Al-Anon.
• Nar-Anon.
• Co-dependents Anonymous.

How to Get Into a Drug Rehab Without Insurance Immediately?

If you need immediate rehab for someone with no insurance, there are still options for you. While scholarships and credit cards might take a while to materialize, sliding scales and loans from your friends and family could allow you immediate acceptance into the rehab facility.

In 2017, there were 8,685 outpatient and inpatient drug rehabs that take Medicaid, as well as 4,767 that take Medicare. There are also 6,036 treatment facilities offering free rehab for people without insurance and people who cannot afford it.3

If you need rehab but have no money to pay for it, you can use websites such as FindTreatment.gov to locate facilities that offer substance abuse programs without insurance.

You may also call AAC’s hotline and speak with someone from our team that will help you find the best payment option for you. You might be able to agree on your financing immediately, while you’re on the phone. 

Frequently Asked Questions