Budgeting for Recovery: What You Should Know About the Cost of Rehab

Recovery is a winding road, but one that is worth navigating. However, a person struggling with substance use disorder might not know where to look to find treatment. Plus, finding the right rehab at the right price can be a struggle. 

The cost of drug rehab can be expensive. Everyone has a life to go back to and may or may not be able to pay for treatment all on their own. Whether it’s a family to feed, a job to do, or school, making a recovery budget is necessary. 

That’s why it’s important to look for drug rehabs covered by health insurance. That way, a person in recovery can find the program they need and get back to their life, now sober and healthy. 

How Much Does Rehab Cost with Insurance?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires insurance providers on the Health Insurance Marketplace to cover mental health and substance abuse services. While plans will differ depending on need, as well as the state in which a person lives, the ACA prohibits spending limits.

For one example of coverage, Medicare Part A, which covers inpatient hospital care and residential treatment, requires a deductible for each benefit period, as well as a daily coinsurance payment after the first 60 days of each benefit period. In 2021, this deductible was $1,484. Similarly, Medicare Part B’s coverage of outpatient care can include psychiatric evaluation, psychotherapy, partial hospitalization, and telehealth services. Its deductible payment was $203 in 2021. 

Types of Rehab and Their Costs 

Just as insurance policies will differ in what they cover, rehab also varies in price. In 2023, without insurance, rehab costs: 

• $250-$900 per day for detox
• $1,450-$11,000 for outpatient care
• $3,100-$10,000 for intensive outpatient care
• $5,300-$80,000 for residential treatment

In general, the average cost of rehab per person is $13,475. This number may seem daunting, but it is important to remember the role insurance can play in making rehab affordable. The type of rehab center, type of treatment, length of stay, and intensity of care will all factor into the price. 

There are also state-run facilities that may provide free treatment however, these programs may have longer wait times and more limited programs.

It is possible to find more affordable rehabs. For example, the cheapest detox programs can be $1,750, while the most expensive can reach up to $5,600 for a 7-day period. A person in recovery will be able to select the options that best suit their needs.

More intense than detox is outpatient rehabilitation, where a person receives treatment but isn’t admitted as a patient. Cheaper and less in-depth than inpatient rehab, general outpatient treatment can range from $1,400 to $10,000 over a 30-day period. 

More intense outpatient treatments, such as intensive outpatient care, have the potential to be more expensive. For example, intensive outpatient treatment averages $17,250 for a 30-day period. On the other hand, a partial hospitalization program costs an average of $12,000 over a 30-day period.

In addition to outpatient treatment, inpatient rehab tends to last for a 28 to 30-day period and involves more in-depth treatment than outpatient. Depending on the clinic, a 30-day program can range from $5,000 to $20,000. On average, that’s $575 a day. Inpatient care can also last longer, with 60 to 90-day programs that cost between $12,000 to $60,000.

Finally, residential treatment offers live-in care that can last weeks, months, or even a year. Short-term treatment can last 3 to 6 weeks, while long-term care lasts from 6 to even 12 months. Because residential care can be luxurious, it has the potential to cost more, between $5,000 and $80,000 depending on the program.

These rehab costs may be daunting, but these programs can be life-changing for a person in recovery. And many of these programs will become more affordable with the right insurance.

“Regular spending on drugs or alcohol adds up, especially when considering other effects that substance use disorder has on one’s lifestyle.”

Why Pay for Rehab?

If rehab doesn’t feel worth the price, then it’s important to consider that substance use disorder will cost more in the long run. Regular spending on drugs or alcohol adds up, especially when considering other effects that substance use disorder has on one’s lifestyle. 

For example, a charge for driving under the influence (DUI) can cost thousands of dollars in legal fees and increase insurance rates. Health issues related to substance use can also be costly. A person who overdoses can incur major medical bills in intensive care. Not only that, but substance use disorder can lead to chronic health issues, which will be expensive to treat.

In truth, whether or not a person chooses to spend money on rehab, they will still end up paying for their substance use disorder. The difference between choosing rehab and substance use is that continued substance abuse will never stop costing money, health, time, and relationships.

By paying for rehab instead of substance use, a person can ultimately save money overall. Furthermore, embracing sobriety will help a person with their career, allowing them to make more money in the long run. Spending money on rehab will thus really pay off over time and prevent a person from experiencing the physical, mental, emotional, and legal consequences of addiction.

Budget for Your Recovery with SoberMind Recovery Center

The cost of drug rehab is worth a life of recovery. For anyone looking to go sober, finding a drug rehab covered by health insurance can mean reclaiming their life. And by finding the right program in the Health Insurance Marketplace, they can make sure that rehab is affordable.

For people who are still looking for the right treatment program, SoberMind Recovery can help. With LGBTQ+ sober living and dual diagnosis treatment in Los Angeles, we just might offer the care you need. Call us today at 818-835-9268 or at 819-398-8047 to find out if our compassionate, evidence-based treatment is right for you.