People seeking help for drug or alcohol addiction often have concerns about the cost of rehab and how they will pay for it. Health insurance may help cover some of the costs associated with addiction treatment, but if you don’t have health insurance—or the costs are still high even with your insurance—there are many ways to get help. Many treatment centers provide options for self-pay patients, including sliding scales and payment plans. Some organizations, such as hospitals, charities, and churches, also offer grants or scholarships for those who qualify.

The cost of addiction treatment shouldn’t prevent you from getting the help you need. This page will help you learn more about paying for rehab without insurance.

How to Go to Rehab Without Health Insurance

Facilities and healthcare professionals who treat drug or alcohol addiction understand the importance of making their services affordable to those in need. If you’re looking to enter a treatment program but don’t have insurance, you can start by contacting treatment facilities in your area to ask about your options. Some treatment facilities offer services based on a sliding scale, which means your fees may be lower based on your income.

Different Types of Health Insurance Coverage for Rehab

Before searching for assistance with paying for rehab, it’s worth investigating whether you already have health insurance coverage for rehab through any existing insurance plans. Some people have insurance that can help cover the costs associated with a treatment program and may not be aware of what is available to them. The following are a few different types of health insurance that may offer some coverage for addiction treatment programs.

Private Health Insurance Coverage for Rehab

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), private health insurance plans are required to provide some coverage for services typically included in drug or alcohol treatment programs.¹ These services include behavioral health treatment, mental health inpatient treatment, and treatment for substance use disorder (SUD).¹ Private health insurance refers to insurance provided by an employer or purchased through the health insurance market.

If you have any medical coverage available through your employer or your spouse’s employer, you may be able to use this coverage to help pay for treatment. If you are under the age of 26, you may also be able to obtain medical coverage through your parent’s health insurance plans. This applies to adult children whether you are married or unmarried.² However, keep in mind that you can only change insurance plans or enroll in new health insurance under certain circumstances. You can change your health insurance during open enrollment, which is a set period every year that starts on November 1.³ You can also change your insurance plans if you experience a life change known as a qualifying event. These include:⁴

Losing health insurance from another provider.
Moving.
Changing jobs.
Getting married.
Having a baby.
Adopting a child.

The exact coverage provided under private health insurance plans varies depending on the plan, so check with your insurance provider to see what you can expect from addiction treatment programs. Your out-of-pocket costs will be determined by factors such as your co-pay, co-insurance, and annual limits. It’s also a good idea to ask whether different types of treatment programs are covered, such as medical detox, intensive outpatient addiction treatment programs, or partial hospitalization rehab programs.

COBRA Coverage for Rehab

COBRA is another avenue for obtaining medical coverage. COBRA refers to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, which allows people and their family members to keep their employer-provided healthcare coverage even if they lose their job or their employer reduces their work hours.⁵

If you lose your job, you have 60 days to enroll in COBRA, and the coverage is typically the same as it was under your employer plan, meaning you have the same benefits and can continue to see the same healthcare providers, including those who provide addiction treatment services. COBRA is intended to provide temporary insurance coverage while you find a new job, but you can remain on COBRA for up to 36 months.⁵

Medicaid Coverage for Rehab

Medicaid is a public health coverage program available to people who meet certain eligibility requirements. These include certain low-income families, pregnant women, children, seniors, and people with disabilities.

Medicaid is administered by the states, so eligibility guidelines and coverage may vary depending on where you live.⁶ As with private insurance plans, the ACA states that Medicaid must provide some coverage for addiction treatment; however, not all facilities accept Medicaid. If you need assistance paying for rehab, it may be worth checking to see if you qualify for Medicaid coverage in your state.

Medicare Coverage for Rehab

Like Medicaid, Medicare is a federal health insurance program that helps pay for healthcare costs. Medicare is available to people who are 65 or older or to certain younger people who have a disability or meet other criteria, including a diagnosis of end-stage renal disease or ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease).

Medicare provides coverage for certain aspects of substance use treatment, including inpatient services provided by a hospital or psychiatric hospital and behavioral health services.⁷

Drug & Alcohol Rehab Programs That Don’t Require Insurance

If none of the above insurance programs are available, you might wonder, Can I go to rehab without insurance? In short, yes. You can look for a drug or alcohol rehab program that doesn’t require insurance. Many different options are available, including government-funded rehab facilities or faith-based treatment programs.

Government-Funded Drug & Alcohol Rehab Facilities

Government-funded rehab facilities, which are funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), provide free or low-cost treatment programs to people in need. Treatment services and eligibility requirements vary by state; to qualify, you may have to provide documentation such as proof of income and proof of residency in the state where you are seeking treatment.

You can search for government-funded treatment centers on the HRSA website and at FindTreatment.gov. You may need to contact treatment facilities directly to find out whether funding is available and whether you qualify.

Faith-Based Drug & Alcohol Rehab Facilities

Faith-based drug and alcohol rehab facilities are programs that provide treatment methods based on Christian principles. These may be offered as additional programs designed to complement medical and behavioral therapeutic interventions and may include Bible study, prayer groups, worship services, and meetings with pastors or priests. Faith-based treatment programs often offer scholarships for those who do not have insurance or cannot afford treatment.

Support Groups

Support groups are an important component of drug and alcohol treatment. While they are often considered a part of rehab aftercare programs, they are available to anyone struggling with substance use disorder, whether you have been to a rehab program or not. The most well-known support organization for those with alcohol use disorder (AUD) is Alcoholics Anonymous, which offers support groups that are completely free of charge. Membership is open to anyone.

Other support groups offering free meetings include Narcotics Anonymous, SMART Recovery, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). You may also be able to find free support groups through your local substance use agency.

Ways to Pay for Drug & Alcohol Rehab Without Health Insurance

If the above free rehab options are not a good fit for your needs, there are other ways to access care, including financing options or grants and scholarships. Many treatment facilities offer payment assistance and will be willing to work with you to make treatment affordable. If you are wondering how to pay for rehab without insurance, read below.

Financing Options for Rehab

Many treatment facilities, including iinpatient addiction treatment centers and outpatient drug and alcohol rehab programs, will provide financing options or allow you to pay over time. This allows you to receive the care you need without waiting until you have the funds to pay upfront.

Call treatment centers in your area to ask about financing. As with any payment plan, make sure you understand the terms and conditions. In some cases, you may not have to start making payments until you complete treatment, which will allow you to return to work or find a job after completion of your treatment program.

Grants and Scholarships for Rehab

Some hospitals, charities, or churches will make funds available for those who need help paying for treatment. Check with treatment programs and community services in your area. If you receive financial assistance, make sure you understand the terms of the program, including how much funding is available, whether it will cover the entire cost of your treatment program, and whether you will have to repay the money if you don’t complete treatment.

Relying on Friends and Family for Help Paying for Rehab

If you have friends or family members who are in a position to help pay for your treatment, consider approaching them to ask for help. Friends and family members may be reluctant to provide financial help if you don’t seem sincere in your efforts to quit using substances or if you have been through a rehab program before, so be willing to agree to mutually beneficial terms. For example, you could agree to pay the money back after treatment or agree to enroll in a sober living program after completion.

Start Your Recovery Today

American Addiction Centers offers drug and alcohol rehab facilities throughout the country, with varying levels of addiction treatment available to help patients achieve lasting recovery. With the variety of services, programs, and therapies available for those seeking help with drug or alcohol use disorder, it can be difficult to determine which program is right for you. We’re here to help you navigate your options and help you find a treatment that works for you. Call us at to speak with an admissions navigator today if you have questions about going to rehab without insurance or treatment options.

Can I Go to Rehab Without Insurance?