Can Rehab in Arizona be Free?
The cost for treating addiction can vary between each treatment center in Arizona. There are some free programs available while others cost thousands of dollars per day. At SpringBoard Recovery, we want to make sure that each individual who needs help with drug rehab Arizona receives the care that they need.
No matter what your budget may be, it is important to know that there is help out there for you. At SpringBoard Recovery we will work with you directly to ensure that you get the care that you need to recover in a healthy environment.
What Types of Insurance are Accepted?
At SpringBoard Recovery we accept many different forms of insurance. This includes private insurance, military insurance, and state financed health insurance. If you have a question about what insurance that we accept and whether or not it will cover the cost of your rehab, simply contact us today and we will help you through the process.
People are often surprised to learn that their insurance will cover all or nearly all of their rehab program, which means that for most people rehab will be free or nearly free.
What if My Insurance Does Not Cover the Cost of Rehab?
There are some cases where insurance will not cover the cost of rehab. While these cases are very few, it does come up on occasion. When it comes to paying for rehab services there are many financing options available. This option will offer a way to pay for your care.
While taking on debt may not seem like something that you want or should do, it is important to look at rehab as an investment in yourself. Rehab will pay off over time as you will lead a more productive life once you have overcome your addiction.
How Much is Addiction Costing You?
When it comes down to it, the cost of rehab is not nearly as much as the cost of drug or alcohol addiction. Consider how much money you are currently spending on the drugs of your choice. Even though alcohol is relatively cheap in terms of costs, spending money on alcohol every day adds up. Other drugs are even more expensive and feeding your habit is costing you more than just the price of your drug of choice.
Drug and alcohol users are also more likely to switch jobs often or skip work than a sober individual. This has a negative impact on your income as switching jobs often entails starting at the bottom and making a lower wage than you would by staying at a job for a longer period of time. Skipping work means that you are not making as much money as you could be and could end up costing you your job. When you combine the cost of drugs, work issues, health issues, and legal issues it is easy to see that drug or alcohol addiction can cost you a lot more than the average price for rehab.
To consider the cost of addiction, an alcoholic who drinks a twelve pack each day for a year will spend more than $3000. This is if they only drink a 12 pack and nothing else each day. Some severe alcoholics drink more than this and spend much more. This does not include the amount that is spent on possible health issues and legal issues that arise.
There are some heroin users who have stated they have spent tens of thousands of dollars supporting their addiction.
The financial costs for addiction do not include the personal costs that addiction also causes. Addiction also affects personal relationships with friends and families, which results in a less meaningful life.
Arizona In-Network Treatment Programs Vs. Out of Network Programs: What is the Difference?
People who have health insurance have the opportunity to choose between two different types of providers; those that are in-network and those that are out of network. This is true for every service they receive, including for addiction treatment.
In-network means that the provider has made an agreement with the health insurance company to accept payment directly from them. They have agreed to work with the insurance company, which could mean that they have negotiated better rates. This is generally the way to go, and it is the best way to save money on the treatment that is needed
Out of network providers are different. They have not made any kind of agreement with health insurance companies at all. They will not accept payment from them directly, nor will the provider bill them. People who choose out of network providers typically have to pay for the services up front out of their own pocket. There is the possibility of submitting paperwork for reimbursement later on. But because there have been no negotiations, the rates tend to be much higher and reimbursements are usually small.
What Types of Services are Covered by Insurance in Arizona?
Most health insurance companies will offer some type of coverage for any recommended method of addiction treatment. This is something that people worry about when they go to rehab because they do not want to get stuck with a bill for something that was not covered.
Every health insurance plan is different. But there are certain types of treatment that covered – at least partially – when a person goes to rehab. They include:
- Drug and alcohol detox – This form of substance abuse treatment may be considered necessary depending on the type of addiction a person has. Research has shown us how important it is for people to be careful when they come off certain types of drugs. For example, opioids, benzodiazepines, alcohol and stimulants can all cause dangerous or even fatal withdrawal symptoms. Detoxing in a medical environment can help to avoid complications and make recovery much smoother.
- Individual therapy sessions – Therapy is an essential part of drug and alcohol rehab. Working with a therapist one-on-one has a lot of benefits, and it is often considered the cornerstone of addiction treatment.
- Group therapy – Similar to individual therapy, group therapy offers people peer support as they recover from their addictions. It has been shown to be an integral part of most treatment plans during rehab.
- Medication management services – A lot of people rely on medications during rehab for a few different reasons. During the detox phase, they can be very useful at helping to control withdrawal symptoms. During the rehab phase, they may be necessary because of the presence of any mental health or physical health issues that need to be addressed.
- Dual diagnosis treatment – Dual diagnosis treatment is highly recommended for people who have a co-occurring disorder such as anxiety or depression. This ensures that their mental health is being treated, which is often a contributing factor when it comes to substance abuse.
Every insurance plan is different, as we mentioned previously, as far as what is covered and what is not. But most health insurance providers offer some type of coverage for the recommended level of care. Some may offer payment in full for people who choose outpatient rehab programs such as IOPs and only partial payment for inpatient programs.
What Types of Services are Covered by Insurance in Arizona?
Most health insurance companies will offer some type of coverage for any recommended method of addiction treatment. This is something that people worry about when they go to rehab because they do not want to get stuck with a bill for something that was not covered.
Every health insurance plan is different. But there are certain types of treatment that covered – at least partially – when a person goes to rehab. They include:
- Drug and alcohol detox – This form of substance abuse treatment may be considered necessary depending on the type of addiction a person has. Research has shown us how important it is for people to be careful when they come off certain types of drugs. For example, opioids, benzodiazepines, alcohol and stimulants can all cause dangerous or even fatal withdrawal symptoms. Detoxing in a medical environment can help to avoid complications and make recovery much smoother.
- Individual therapy sessions – Therapy is an essential part of drug and alcohol rehab. Working with a therapist one-on-one has a lot of benefits, and it is often considered the cornerstone of addiction treatment.
- Group therapy – Similar to individual therapy, group therapy offers people peer support as they recover from their addictions. It has been shown to be an integral part of most treatment plans during rehab.
- Medication management services – A lot of people rely on medications during rehab for a few different reasons. During the detox phase, they can be very useful at helping to control withdrawal symptoms. During the rehab phase, they may be necessary because of the presence of any mental health or physical health issues that need to be addressed.
- Dual diagnosis treatment – Dual diagnosis treatment is highly recommended for people who have a co-occurring disorder such as anxiety or depression. This ensures that their mental health is being treated, which is often a contributing factor when it comes to substance abuse.
Every insurance plan is different, as we mentioned previously, as far as what is covered and what is not. But most health insurance providers offer some type of coverage for the recommended level of care. Some may offer payment in full for people who choose outpatient rehab programs such as IOPs and only partial payment for inpatient programs.
Understanding the Options for Free Addiction Recovery Support in Arizona
Even though going to rehab might be the best possible place for people to get treatment in Arizona, it might not always be possible. Fortunately, there are a lot of ways for people to get the support they need, and even without rehab, recovery is possible.
The following are all options that people may want to consider when they are ready to recover:
- Going to a 12-Step meeting (AA or NA). Both Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous can offer people a tremendous amount of peer support. There are meetings being held all over the State of Arizona in just about every city. They are held on a weekly basis and there is no charge for attending or for becoming a member. All that is required is for participants to have a desire to stop using.
- Visiting a free or low-cost clinic. There are medical clinics in Arizona that offer mental health and substance abuse treatment services. Depending on the facility, they may offer them for free or based on a sliding scale fee according to the individual’s income.
- Talking with a medical doctor. Though it might not be the most popular option, medical doctors are often well-versed in addiction recovery. They can prescribe medications to help people with their withdrawal symptoms. They may also offer psychiatric examinations or provide referrals for services that are more affordable.
- Local community centers. Sometimes they offer scholarships for rehab, or they may have volunteers that offer mental health or substance abuse services.
Are Intervention Services Covered Under Arizona Health Insurance Policies?
Most of the time, intervention services are not covered under health insurance because they are not deemed to be medically necessary. In some ways, this is understandable, but it can place a greater financial burden upon families who desperately want their loved ones to be able to get the help they need. But there may be ways around this problem too.
Some addiction treatment programs will offer to do an intervention for free if the individual will be coming to rehab at their facility. Or, they may say that it is covered by insurance but really, they are simply factoring in the cost.
Take some time and research intervention services in Arizona. Talk with the rehab programs to see if they can offer a referral for affordable interventionists. It may be possible to obtain their help at a lower cost, or perhaps work out a payment plan that works for everyone.
Is There a Need for Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment in Arizona?
There is a definite need for alcohol and drug rehab in Arizona. So many people do not know what services and programs are available to help them, and a lot of individuals and families are suffering.
But just how bad is the addiction problem in Arizona? And how does it compare to what is happening elsewhere in the United States? The statistics offer some helpful answers to these questions.
Arizona Substance Abuse Statistics
The drug and alcohol addiction problem in Arizona is much worse than most people realize. For example, consider the following statistics:
- In 2019, 20.8 out of every 100,000 people died because of drug injuries in Arizona, according to America’s Health Rankings.
- The 2019 Scorecard on State Health System Performance reported that the growth in overdose death rates was slower than the national rate between 2005 and 2017. But there was still growth.
- The overdose death rate went up 57% during that 12-year period.
- In 2005, there were 14.1 overdose deaths for every 100,000 people.
- By 2017, that number had gone up to 22.2.
- Opioids have been suspected in more than 3,400 deaths since June 2017 in Arizona.
- In 2018, Arizona suffered 1,106 opioid-related deaths.
- Of that number 352 of them were due to heroin.
- Prescription opioid overdoses were responsible for 362 deaths.
- 50.7 opioid prescriptions were written for every 100 people in Arizona in 2018.
- Between 2017 and 2020, there have been an estimated 5,592 opioid deaths in Arizona according to the Arizona Department of Health Services.
Alcohol Abuse and Binge Drinking in Arizona
The CDC conducted a study on alcohol poisoning deaths in Arizona. What they found is quite interesting:
- Unmarried men in their 40s and 50s are the most at risk for injuries from excessive drinking.
- Around 76% of people who die from alcohol poisoning are men.
- 68% of these individuals are non-Hispanic whites.
- Between 2010 and 2012, Arizona had the 4th highest death rate from alcohol poisoning in the United States.
- Alcohol poisoning is responsible for killing 18.7% of every million residents over the age of 15 in Arizona.
- 2.5% of all emergency room visits are related to binge drinking in Arizona.
- The same is true for around 4.5% of all inpatient hospitalizations.
- But alcohol is a contributing factor for about 1/3 of all emergency room visits, according to AZ Central.
Substance Abuse Statistics Among Young People in Arizona
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services reports that:
- 18% of high school students say that they consumed alcohol for the first time before the age of 13.
- This is higher than the national average of 16%.
- 33% of high school students report having had an alcoholic drink at least once in the last 30 days.
- 18% indicated that they had consumed 4-5 or more drinks within a couple of hours at least once during the last 30 days.
- 39% of high school students state that someone had given them the alcohol they consumed.
- 6% stated that they had driven a car or another vehicle after consuming alcohol.
Getting the Help that You Need
When it comes to addiction, as you can see the cost to your personal life is quite high. From the financial aspect to the personal aspect, being an addict can really “cost” you. This is why rehab is so important.
The first step in rehab is to admit that you have a problem. Once you realize that you have an addiction to drugs or alcohol, the next step is to find the care that you need. At SpringBoard Recovery we offer a full support system to help you through the recovery process.
When it comes to the cost of rehab, most of our patients end up with free rehab or very low cost rehab after their insurance is filed. Free rehab is often the norm and is just one of the reasons to consider SpringBoard Recovery for your rehab needs.
SpringBoard Recovery believes in treating the whole person when they walk through our doors. This includes helping a person through any mental or health issues that they may have that may be an underlying cause of their addiction.
Do not let the cost of rehab deter you from getting the help that you need. SpringBoard Recovery can help you sort out the financial aspect of rehab so that it is one less thing that you have to worry about. The most important thing that you need to do if you are suffering from an addiction is to get the support and help that you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Affordable Care Act?
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law in 2010 by President Obama. This comprehensive healthcare reform law had three goals:
- To make health insurance more affordable and therefore, more accessible for more people. It provides people with tax credits or subsidies that can effectively lower the cost of health insurance for people with incomes that are between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level.
- To expand the Medicaid program for all adults who have an income that is below 138% of the poverty level.
- To support new and innovative medical care delivery methods which are designed to generally lower the cost of healthcare.
The ACA has done so much for the addiction treatment industry and for the people who desperately need to go to rehab. In addition to all of the above, this law also requires health insurance companies to provide benefits to customers who need detox and rehab. In the past, this was not the case, and most people did not have this type of coverage at all. As a result, they either had to find other ways to quit using, or they felt they needed to continue to abuse substances.
How Much Will Insurance Companies in Arizona Pay for Addiction Treatment?
It is difficult to say how much a health insurance company will cover for addiction treatment because there are so many differences. When people choose their plan, they have a lot of options with a variety of coverage levels. That means the benefits are completely dependent upon what type of plan the individual has chosen.
As a general rule, most health insurance companies will offer excellent coverage for drug and alcohol detox. Many will even cover it in full and not require any type of co-pay. This is because this step is an essential part of the recovery process for many types of addictions.
Health insurance companies tend to offer better coverage for people who are seeking outpatient recovery programs. But any quality rehab program should go above and beyond to maximize the patient’s coverage so that they pay as little out of pocket as possible.
Are There Free Rehab Programs in Arizona?
Yes, there are ways to go to rehab for free if you live in Arizona. If you currently have Medicaid, you should be able to get into a state-run drug or alcohol rehab and it should be covered completely. But if you do not have health insurance, there is another avenue that you might want to pursue.
SAMHSA offers grants every year to help cover the cost of drug and alcohol treatment for people who do not have health insurance. This is a great option because it should cover the cost of detox and rehab in full, with no additional money required out of pocket.
What Can People do to Get Treatment if They do not Have Health Insurance?
If a person does not have health insurance and they do not qualify for a grant through SAMHSA, there are other ways for them to get the treatment they need. It can require some out-of-the-box thinking, but the following are all options:
- Talking with a loved one about possibly borrowing the money to help cover the costs of treatment.
- Getting information about financing options, which may cover the cost of rehab in full.
- Charging the treatment to a credit card.
- Taking out a personal loan to help cover the costs.
- Visiting local community centers and non-profits to get information on possible scholarships or other types of funding for rehab.
It is also a good idea to discuss the financial hardship and the need for rehab with someone at your local Department of Social Services. They may be able to provide additional assistance and help you get the treatment you need faster.
What Types of Addiction Treatment Services Does Medicaid Cover?
People who live in Arizona who are on Medicaid will not have to worry about co-pays when it comes to addiction treatment. This is good because it makes getting treatment a lot more affordable for them.
If you are on Medicaid, your health insurance offers benefits for the following services:
- Substance abuse screenings – You may have questions about whether you have an addiction that needs treatment. Medicaid will cover the cost of screenings to inform you about what type of rehab you need, if any.
- Intervention services – If your family has to have a professional addiction intervention, all or most of the cost of it will be covered by Medicaid.
- Drug and alcohol detox medications – A lot of people need to take medications like Methadone or Suboxone when they begin recovery. These and other medications can help with withdrawal symptoms, and they are covered by Medicaid.
- Family therapy – The family is often the biggest source of support for people in addiction recovery. Family therapy is usually highly recommended to repair relationships that have been damaged as a result of substance abuse.
- Inpatient treatment – If you are recommended for inpatient rehab, you will not have to worry about paying the bill on your own. Medicaid offers benefits to offset these costs.
- Long-term residential rehab – Perhaps you have been told that you need a higher level of care than even inpatient treatment has to offer. If that is the case, Medicaid will still cover the treatment you need in a long-term facility.
- Outpatient rehab – Medicaid offers coverage for people who need both inpatient and outpatient programs. Like many people, you may have started by going to an inpatient rehab center. But they will still offer coverage once you are ready to move into outpatient treatment.
- Additional mental health services – Addictions frequently accompany mental health issues. Getting treatment for them is really important. In fact, you may not be able to recover from your addiction unless you do. Medicaid will provide coverage for those mental health services as well.
Can I Get Health Insurance if I do Not Currently Have it?
You may be able to apply for a health insurance policy you can afford by visiting HealthCare.gov. Once you are there, you will be redirected to your state health insurance website. Please be aware that you may not always be able to apply, depending on what types of applications they are accepting at the time. There is an open enrollment time each year. But you can also ask for an exception.
Once you have health insurance, you should have no trouble finding a drug and alcohol rehab you can afford. You may even find that your treatment is covered in full.
Are There Other Ways to Get Addiction Recovery Support in Arizona That are Free?
You may be able to find additional ways of getting addiction recovery support in Arizona that are free of charge. For example, you might want to consider going to AA and NA meetings. They are being held on a weekly basis all over the state in just about every city. You can even find 12-Step meetings online. There is no charge to attend an AA or NA meeting. All you need is a desire to stop using.
SMART Recovery is another option that you might want to consider. This is not a 12-Step program. Instead, they rely on scientific methods of recovery. They have regular meetings and there are always people starting new ones. If you do want to go to an AA or NA meeting because you do not like the 12-Step method, this might be something for you to consider.
You may want to take some time and research free clinics in your local area as well. Many of them operate based on your income. Their services may be free for you to utilize, or they might have a sliding scale fee that you can afford.
How Long Should I Expect to Stay in Treatment?
Sometimes people are disheartened to learn that they will not be able to stop getting treatment once rehab is over. It may have taken you months or even years to get addicted to your drug of choice. That is damage that cannot be undone in a 28-day or even a 12-week program. It takes a lot longer in most cases.
But that does not mean that you will need to stay in a long-term treatment facility for months at a time. Most people do quite well with a “step-down” approach to recovery. For example, if you choose to go to an inpatient rehab center, an intensive outpatient program may be recommended for you after you finish.
Ongoing treatment is the best option available to you if you want to recover from your addiction. People who continue to get the help they need often find that they are much more likely to remain in recovery long-term.
Should I Choose a Private Rehab Program or a Free Rehab in Arizona?
At some point, you may need to make the decision between a public rehab and a private rehab. Both have their benefits, and you should definitely choose the one that is right for you.
Public rehab programs are often free for patients. This is good because it makes getting treatment more affordable. But it also creates some challenges. Because the treatment is free, it is in extremely high demand. You may find that you do not get as much attention from staff as you would at a private facility.
Private rehab offers a lot more benefits in that they do accept insurance, which can keep your costs low. They also often tend to keep their patient population low, which gives you more time with the staff. You may find other benefits too, such as:
- Better accommodations.
- Better food.
- Holistic treatment options.
- A higher overall success rate.
