How Much Does Rehab Cost?

Last Updated: March 24, 2023

Editorial Policy | Research Policy

The cost of rehab will vary based on factors like location, insurance, program type and more. But there are payment options available, even with no insurance.

No matter what your situation is, there are many ways to pay for addiction treatment.

Though the thought of paying for substance abuse treatment may seem overwhelming, there are many options that help people pay for rehab and reduce the cost of treatment. The overall cost of rehab will depend upon various factors, such as the type of facility you attend, how long you stay in rehab and what kind of insurance coverage you have. Learn all the details to give you a better understanding of how much rehab costs.

Cost of Rehab Based on Level of Care

Perhaps the most important contributing factor to the cost of rehab is the level of care you choose. There are multiple options available when you are seeking an addiction treatment program, ranging from inpatient treatment to various types of outpatient care.

Inpatient programs are the most costly because, in addition to receiving treatment services, you will be provided with room and board since patients in this program live on site at a treatment facility. Outpatient services are often less expensive as patients return home after attending appointments.

Medical Detox

Medical detox is often the first step in the rehab process. When a person decides to stop using drugs or alcohol, a detox program provides them with the care and support they need to cope with withdrawal symptoms. Many patients undergo medical detox in an inpatient setting, with medical staff providing around-the-clock care, including medications that can alleviate withdrawal complications.

While the costs of detox will vary, the typical cost can range from about $300 to $800 per day. These figures represent the total cost of treatment; yYour out-of-pocket costs might be lower if you have insurance that covers medical detox.

Inpatient/Residential

Inpatient treatment, sometimes called residential care, is often the most costly form of rehab because they have a room or bed in the treatment center, and they receive all of their meals from the program. This understandably increases costs.

Inpatient care also involves a variety of services, such as individual and group counseling, consultation with a physician and therapeutic activities like art and yoga. All of this adds up, depending how long you stay and how luxurious the amenities and accommodations are. A recent study found that for-profit programs, from bare bones to luxury, charged an average of $17,434 for inpatient heroin addiction treatment.

Partial Hospitalization Program

Partial hospitalization programs are a middle ground between inpatient and outpatient care. Patients participating in a partial hospitalization program receive 20 or more hours of services per week. They may participate in individual and group counseling for several hours per day, up to five days per week, but often still live onsite. Due to the length of time spent in care, partial hospitalization is more costly than standard outpatient care.

Intensive Outpatient Rehab

Patients in intensive outpatient rehab participate in services for at least 9 hours per week. They may attend treatment in three-hour blocks — for example, three evenings per week. Intensive outpatient services typically involve a combination of individual and group counseling.

The cost of a 30-day intensive outpatient program ranges from $3,500 to $11,000. A recent study with people in opioid addiction treatment found that the average monthly cost of intensive outpatient care was $3,148 per person at the start of treatment.

Outpatient Rehab

Outpatient care is typically the most affordable level of addiction treatment, as patients receive under 9 hours of service per week. Someone in outpatient treatment may meet with a counselor once a week for an hour, for instance. Three months of outpatient care can cost from $1,000 to $10,000 in total.

Other Factors That Affect the Price of Rehab

Beyond the level of care, the overall cost of rehab depends on various factors, including:

Location

The price you pay for rehab will also vary based on the location of your treatment center. Rehab programs in large cities with a higher cost of living are likely to cost more than small-town facilities.

Amenities

Inpatient rehab programs can offer various types of amenities. Some basic treatment centers may offer patients little more than a bed and shower.. In contrast, other facilities often serve celebrity clientele and provide a range of amenities and luxury accommodations. A program with more amenities will be more costly.

Census

Patient census, which is the headcount of the number of patients enrolled in treatment, can also affect costs. Larger facilities with more patients tend to operate more efficiently, which reduces the costs for clients. On the other hand, smaller facilities may have higher costs, according to research.

Length of Stay

The cost of rehab will vary based on the length of stay. A patient who spends more time in an inpatient or medical detox program will understandably incur greater costs than someone who has a more brief stay in treatment. This is true for patients in outpatient programs as well, as they will attend fewer appointments than someone in the program for a longer time.

Treatments and Programs Offered

Programs that offer more comprehensive treatment will be more costly when compared to those that offer basic services, such as individual and group counseling. For instance, some facilities, whether inpatient or outpatient, may have a psychiatrist on staff. Patients who receive services from this provider will incur higher costs than those who only meet with an addiction counselor.

Programs that offer medication-assisted treatment (MAT) may also cost more because patients receive a prescription for medication in addition to counseling. These programs must have a prescribing professional on staff, such as a medical doctor.

Insurance

Depending on the type of insurance you have, some or all of your stay in addiction rehab may be covered by insurance. Different insurances offer different types of coverage, and your out-of-pocket costs will depend on your specific insurance policy. If your insurance covers rehab, your out-of-pocket costs will be lower.

Rehab With Insurance

As noted, insurance can reduce the costs of rehab if covered by your provider.

Many people are able to use their insurance for rehab treatment, but many factors can affect what is covered. Coverage can vary based on state and federal laws, so it is important to speak with your insurance provider to verify that addiction treatment at your chosen facility is covered.

The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper is in-network with many private insurance providers, but each individual’s plan benefits may vary. Contact your insurance provider or one of our representatives to verify your policy details.

Types of Health Insurance Used for Rehab

The two primary types of health insurance plans are private insurance and public insurance. There are some key differences between private vs. public health insurance.

Private Insurance

These are policies that you purchase for yourself or have through your employer, and you are primarily responsible for the costs. Private insurance will typically cover some or all of your rehab costs.

Public Insurance

These policies are provided through the government and also pays for some or all of your insurance costs. Public insurance includes programs like Medicare and Medicaid. According to stipulations of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Medicaid programs must cover addiction treatment as essential benefits. Not all rehab facilities accept Medicare or Medicaid.

Regardless of your policy, you will likely have to pay some out-of-pocket expenses for rehab. You can contact your insurance provider to find out how much your insurance policy will cover.

Rehab Without Insurance

If you do not have a health insurance policy or your policy does not cover enough of your treatment costs, there are other ways to pay for drug or alcohol rehab. There are government-funded options available to those who qualify and payment plans to ensure people can receive treatment without incurring an unaffordable financial burden.

Other Ways to Pay for Drug and Alcohol Rehab

If you don’t have private health insurance that you have purchased individually or obtained through an employer, other options are available to you.

Medicare and Medicaid

Government-funded health insurance policies like Medicare and Medicaid provide coverage for low-income families, people with disabilities and seniors. These policies cover addiction treatment, but some facilities do not accept these plans, including The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper.

Even though we do not accept Medicare or Medicaid health insurance, we would be happy to help you find another rehab center or solution that meets your needs.

SAMHSA Grants

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides grants to state-funded addiction treatment programs. These SAMHSA grants allow public and nonprofit facilities to provide more people with access to addiction support. You may be able to receive free or low-cost treatment from a facility sponsored by one of these grants.

Financing

Addiction recovery can be a difficult process, and the last thing you should have to worry about is finances. To help ease the burden of paying for treatment, there are many options for rehab financing. You may take on a payment plan from the rehab center, take out a medical loan from your bank, which allows you to pay back the costs of rehab over a longer period, or a generous friend or family member may be able to provide you with a loan.

Fundraising or Crowdfunding

The internet has helped many families pay for medical expenses through crowdfunding and fundraising. Websites like GoFundMe allow people to raise money for a variety of different life situations, including drug or alcohol addiction treatment. You can also fundraise through more traditional options, such as hosting a garage sale or another event.

The Real Cost of Addiction

No matter how you decide to pay for treatment, it will always be worth the investment for your long-term health and happiness. While rehab may come with a cost, the truth is that when you enter recovery and achieve sobriety, you set yourself up for a life that is free from the grips of addiction. In the end, becoming sober saves you from spending money to maintain your addiction. It also reduces the legal and healthcare costs associated with active addiction.

In the long run, investing in treatment saves money that otherwise would have been spent to keep the addiction alive.

Drug and Alcohol Rehabs Near Me

If you’re looking for addiction treatment, it is helpful to contact facilities or providers near you to inquire about their costs, as well as whether or not they accept your insurance. Your local mental health board may be able to provide you with information about local treatment centers.

If you’re having difficulty finding a treatment center, SAMHSA offers a search tool that will provide you with a list of addiction rehabs near you. The tool has information about each rehab, including the types of payment they accept. Keep in mind that in some cases, people decide to attend a rehab facility that is far from home for a change of scenery.

Addiction Treatment and Rehab in New Jersey

For those in the New Jersey area, The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper offers addiction treatment services that are convenient to locations like NewarkCamden and Trenton, as well as Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We offer a full continuum of addiction services, including inpatient and outpatient care, as well as medical detox. Our inpatient facility offers 90 beds and various amenities, including a full fitness facility, a yoga room and an outdoor volleyball court.

If you or a loved one is ready to take the first step toward a healthier life, The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper can help. Contact us today to learn more about payment options, insurance and treatment plans that can work well for your situation.

Questions?

Our Recovery Advocates are ready to answer your questions about addiction treatment and help you start your recovery.

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Sources

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French, Michael T.; Popovici, Iona; & Tapsell, Lauren. “The Economic Costs of Substance Abuse Tr[…]nt and Reimbursement.” Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, December 2008. Accessed March 11, 2022.

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