Finding Affordable Drug Treatment

Finding Affordable Drug Treatment

By Jenny Hunt, Palm Partners Recovery Center

February 8, 2012

Finding affordable drug treatment is something that many struggle with. It is one of the biggest barriers to seeking drug treatment for people that want to get help. Navigating the waters of finding affordable drug treatment can be a daunting task, but it is out there.

The first step in finding affordable drug treatment is to research your health care insurance coverage. Many people don’t realize that many health care plans will cover drug treatment at little or no out of pocket cost. Most states (43 of them) have laws that require plans to cover drug treatment. Because of the stigma associated with addiction, you may have to be prepared to challenge your health insurance carrier if they deny coverage. Some states find it difficult to enforce the laws regarding drug treatment because of this stigma. Keep in mind that group health insurance is required to comply with state law, but financially, it is beneficial to them to deny coverage. Research your state laws before you contact your health insurance carrier and don’t take no for an answer. With the right attitude and information, you can find affordable drug treatment.

Once you know what kind of benefits you have and which places accept your insurance, it is important to research the drug treatment facility. Affordable drug treatment facilities vary widely in the kind of care they provide and the success rate of the patients. Write down all of your questions before you contact the affordable drug treatment facility. Find out if the affordable drug treatment center provides detox in house or at an outside facility. If it is outside, make sure that the detox facility is covered by your insurance as well. Ask about the length of drug treatment, and what happens if your benefits run out before you are finished with the program. Often, the affordable drug treatment center can contact your insurance and find out what kind of benefits you have.

Even if you don’t have health insurance, you can still find affordable drug treatment. Many drug treatment facilities will work with you financially; most offer a discounted rate for those without health insurance coverage. Several affordable drug treatment facilities offer some type of scholarship program for certain individuals to help offset the cost of treatment.

Additionally, if you do not have health insurance coverage, you can contact your state’s lead agency for drug addiction and alcoholism. All states have a lead agency to plan and administer drug and alcohol abuse prevention and addiction treatment services. These agencies have access to funds for people with little or no insurance coverage so that they too can find affordable drug treatment.

Most importantly, do not delay getting help because you do not think you can find affordable drug treatment. If you are planning to confront a loved one about their drug or alcohol problem, find affordable drug treatment before you meet with them. This is a life and death disease, and people who want help are dying every day while trying to find an affordable drug treatment program or waiting to get into one.

If you or someone you know is looking for affordable drug treatment call us at (877) 711-HOPE (4673) or visit us online at www.palmpartners.com.