How Much Does Addiction Treatment Cost?

Substance abuse treatment costs can vary widely based on the level of care, the length of stay, the types of services included, the facility amenities, and location. This article will review those factors so people seeking recovery have a better idea of what they might pay, and it explains how Futures Recovery makes care affordable.

Key Takeaways

• The cost of drug addiction treatment varies based on the level of care, length of stay, services included, facility, and location.
• Insurance is available, but plans and coverage vary. Most treatment centers offer insurance verification so you can confirm coverage before you commit.
• Investing in treatment typically pays off in the long run, improving relationships, finances, and decreasing the risk of drug overdose deaths.

Table of Contents

• Why Can’t We Put a Single Price Tag on the Cost of Drug and Alcohol Treatment?
• How Can Insurance Plans Help Cover Treatment?
• What Are Other Ways to Make Treatment Affordable?
• What Is the Value of Investing In Treatment?
• Get Started at Futures Recovery Healthcare Today
• FAQs

Introduction

SAMHSA research shows 80% of people who needed treatment for a substance use disorder in 2024 did not get it. Cost can be a factor, but options are available, and understanding how treatment costs work can make the decision easier.

When people don’t know how programs are structured, what insurance typically covers, or what payment options exist, cost can feel like a bigger obstacle than it is. Understanding what factors shape treatment costs, and what resources are available to help cover them, can make the decision to seek help feel far more manageable.

Why Can’t We Put a Single Price Tag on the Average Cost of Drug and Alcohol Treatment?

You can’t put a single price tag on drug and alcohol rehab costs because factors like the level of care, length of stay, services offered, and facility amenities affect the price.

Level of Care

Drug and alcohol addiction treatment consists of various levels of care, and each can serve as a primary form of care, or a step up or down from a previous level of care, as follows:

• Medical Detox: Recommended for clients who need to break the physical bonds of addiction and stabilize before entering rehab.
• Residential Treatment: With inpatient rehab, clients stay at the facility 24/7 for round-the-clock care and structured support.
• Partial Hospitalization Programs: Offer several hours of therapy a day, several days a week. Futures Recovery’s PHP spans five hours of therapy a day, five days a week.
• Intensive Outpatient Programs: Provide a more flexible schedule with shorter sessions. At Futures Recovery, sessions span three hours a day, three days a week.
• Traditional Outpatient Rehab: Focuses on relapse prevention strategies with weekly therapy sessions.

Length of Stay

Some individuals may stay in treatment programs longer than others. They may need additional levels of care and may need to stay in those levels for longer time periods. Duration typically relates directly to the condition’s severity.

Types of Services

Costs may vary by service type, based on the following factors:

• Do specialized services apply to co-occurring disorders?
• Are medications needed for detox and emotional regulation?
• Do the services require an additional time commitment or complex arrangements from the therapist?
• Are additional services included (i.e., holistic care alongside traditional services)?

Facility and Location

Treatment centers range from traditional to luxury, with luxury centers offering amenities like private rooms, gourmet meals, and fitness centers. Many of these luxury facilities are also located in upscale areas with a high cost of living. As a result, some luxury facilities operate outside insurance networks and require self-pay.

Futures Recovery Healthcare is an exception, offering a luxury treatment experience on its Tequesta, Florida campus while still working with insurance to help cover the cost of care.

How Can Insurance Plans Help Cover Treatment?

Insurance is available for mental health and substance use treatment, thanks to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), which requires that when insurance plans cover addiction treatment, that coverage be comparable to coverage for other medically necessary care. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) ensures most insurance plans cover addiction treatment as an essential health benefit. However, plans vary based on the following considerations.

• In-Network vs Out-of-Network Coverage: In-network providers will accept most benefits. With out-of-network providers, coverage is limited, and insurance may not be accepted.
• Deductibles: This is the amount you pay each year before insurance kicks in.
• Co-Pays/Co-Insurance: Co-pays are the flat rate out-of-pocket costs you pay for each session. With coinsurance, that’s a percentage.
• Limits: The amount plans will cover.
• Approvals: Most insurance plans will approve care based on what’s medically necessary and will continue requiring approvals as you progress through treatment.

For optimal transparency, get an insurance verification from your rehab center before you start treatment, so you know exactly what’s covered.

What Are Other Ways to Make Treatment Affordable?

You can also find affordable treatment through sliding scale fees, payment plans, nonprofit treatment centers, and employee assistance programs.

• Public or nonprofit programs typically charge less than private facilities. Some charge sliding scale fees; others are free.
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): Some employers offer employees support groups, counseling, and resources.
• Payment Plans: Many addiction rehab centers let clients pay off the cost of care over time to make it more manageable.

What Is the Value of Investing In Treatment?

Treatment may be one of the best investments for people struggling with drug abuse, saving you money in the long run and even saving your life.

Drug and alcohol addiction can lead to legal fees; it can cost you your job; and you can engage in risky behavior that damages property. Your health is at stake, which can lead to major medical costs. And then there are those priceless things, like your relationships and your happiness.

According to an NCBI Bookshelf study, misuse of alcohol, drugs, and prescribed medications is estimated to cost the U.S. more than $400 billion annually in healthcare expenses, criminal justice costs, lost workplace productivity, and motor vehicle crash losses.

Cost can seem like an obstacle, but once you explore your options, you’ll find solutions that make your efforts worthwhile.

Get Started at Futures Recovery Healthcare Today

Futures makes getting started easy. Verify your insurance online to clearly understand your covered services and estimate your out-of-pocket costs. We work with most major insurance plans and will walk you through the process to maximize your benefits and ensure you get the care you need.

Contact us to learn more about our individualized treatment plans.

FAQs

Does insurance cover addiction treatment?

Most insurance plans must cover addiction treatment as an essential health benefit under the Affordable Care Act, and the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act requires coverage to be comparable to coverage for other medical care. Exact coverage depends on your specific plan.

What’s the difference between in-network and out-of-network treatment?

In-network providers have an agreement with your insurance company, so more of your treatment costs are typically covered. Out-of-network providers may still be covered, but usually at a lower rate, with more out-of-pocket responsibility.

What if I don’t have insurance?

Many facilities offer alternative payment options, including sliding-scale fees, payment plans, scholarships, and state-funded or nonprofit treatment programs. The best way to learn what’s available is to reach out to a treatment center directly.

Is treatment worth the investment?

Untreated addiction often carries high costs to health, relationships, and work, so many people find that the value of treatment extends well beyond the immediate expense.

Does the type of program (outpatient vs. inpatient) affect what’s covered?

Yes. Coverage can vary by level of care, program length, and whether services like medical detox or co-occurring mental health treatment are included. Your insurance verification will outline what applies to your specific situation.

Sources

• SAMHSA. Release of the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Leveraging the Latest Substance Use and Mental Health Data to Make America Healthy Again. SAMHSA. https://www.samhsa.gov/blog/release-2024-nsduh-leveraging-latest-substance-use-mental-health-data-make-america-healthy-again
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA). CMS. https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/mental-health-parity-and-addiction-equity-act-2008-mhpaea
• HealthCare.gov. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Health Coverage Options. HealthCare.gov. https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage/mental-health-substance-abuse-coverage/
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Information on Essential Health Benefits (EHB) Benchmark Plans. CMS. https://www.cms.gov/marketplace/resources/data/essential-health-benefits
• NCBI Bookshelf. Substance Use Disorders. Nursing: Mental Health and Community Concepts. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK590030/