Most private insurance plans (including employer-provided plans and ACA Marketplace plans) cover substance abuse treatment because it’s classified as an essential health benefit. This means services like detox, inpatient rehab, and outpatient therapy are typically included in insurance coverage. If you have insurance, your provider (e.g., Blue Cross, Aetna, Cigna, Christus Health etc.) will often pay a significant portion of rehab costs, leaving you responsible for copays, deductibles, or coinsurance as per your plan. It’s important to check your insurance benefits or have the rehab center verify coverage. Thanks to federal parity laws and the Affordable Care Act, insurers can’t exclude substance abuse treatment – they must cover it similarly to other medical conditions.

Medicaid, the state-federal insurance for low-income individuals, and CHIP often cover addiction treatment at little or no cost to the patient, provided the facility accepts Medicaid. Many rehab centers in Austin are Medicaid-approved. Medicare, for people over 65 or with certain disabilities, also covers inpatient and outpatient rehab (more on Medicare specifics in the next question). Additionally, Veterans can access rehab through the VA health system. Many treatment programs take VA benefits, Medicare, or Medicaid as payment, so public insurance is a key resource. In Texas, there are also state-funded programs and nonprofit organizations that receive government grants to provide free or low-cost treatment for those who qualify and lack other means.

If someone doesn’t have insurance, they may pay for rehab out-of-pocket (self-pay). Rehab costs can be high, but many centers offer payment plans or sliding scale fees based on income. Some nonprofit or state-run facilities offer scholarships or grants to cover treatment for those in need. It’s also not uncommon for family members to help pay for a loved one’s rehab. Financing programs or medical loans are another option to spread out the cost. Importantly, no one should delay seeking treatment due to cost – there are resources available. You can contact Texas state health services or use SAMHSA’s treatment locator for programs that offer assistance. Many programs in Austin will work with you to find a payment solution, whether through insurance, public funding, or affordable payment arrangements. As SAMHSA notes, many rehab programs accept Medicaid, Medicare, VA benefits, or private insurance, and there are free and low-cost options across the country. In short, rehab can be paid by insurers (private or government) or by the individual, and help is often available to make treatment accessible.