Jointly funded by the federal and state governments, Medicaid is state-administered health insurance for low-income and needy individuals, including adults, children, the elderly, and the disabled. Coverage for substance abuse treatment under Medicaid was greatly expanded under the ACA. Currently, Medicaid is required to cover all basic aspects of substance abuse treatment, including detox, inpatient and outpatient services, medication, recovery maintenance and relapse prevention services, and more. Levels of coverage vary by state, though, so be sure to check your state’s Medicaid program for more information.
There are about 12,000 substance abuse treatment centers in the United States, yet only a small fraction of people who need treatment actually receive it. There are lots of factors at work here, including social stigma, fear of losing a job, lack of information on treatment, and refusal to admit one has a problem. But perhaps the biggest barrier to addiction treatment is cost. Knowing how valuable rehab is means little if you cannot afford it.
Treatment is probably more accessible than you think. Most centers accept private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid. When that isn’t enough one can turn to programs that offer scholarships, low-cost loans, and other types of financial assistance for drug rehab.