A whopping 91.5% of Americans had health insurance in 2018 for various medical needs. However, some insurers are up to their old tricks, making even more profits by denying basic care for people who suffer from substance use disorders and addiction. High deductibles and no out-of-network benefits are becoming the norm with many plans. Contracted or “in-network” treatment providers are pressured by the insurance companies to put patients in IOP (outpatient) too soon, with disastrous results. So, how much will addiction treatment cost you at a drug and alcohol rehab center in Florida? Let’s delve into that a bit further.
Do you need to move forward with addiction treatment for you or a loved one? If so, please visit rehab admissions to find out how to get the process started.
Addiction Treatment Cost
Consumers who choose a quality-driven treatment approach versus an insurance-driven one often must be willing to pay out-of-pocket addiction treatment costs. This is when picking a high-quality center with an advantageous cash rate is wise. Beware of hospital-based and big-box treatment providers which are based on volume and insurance billing. Due to all the overhead expenditures (billing costs, insurance reviewers, auditors, coders, and collectors), “the rate is the rate.” They must collect $600 to $1,400 per patient day to cover their expenses. That is what is billed to the insurance companies for rehab.
The Affordable Care Act makes insurance providers cover part of the addiction treatment cost. But, if insurance won’t pay for most of addiction treatment costs (and they often do not), the same amount is billed to the consumer. There is no cash rate. And whether they expect to be paid by an insurance check, the family or the patient, at those inflated rates, the pressure is on the first month to get the revenue that is available and move the patient to a low-quality outpatient experience which will be billed at about $250–$350 per session, at about three sessions a week for 4–6 weeks. When the tap runs dry on that, the patient is then discharged. This abrupt discharge is often to nothing but 12-step meetings when continued treatment is necessary for lasting recovery.
Length of Effective Treatment
NIDA guidelines say people need about 90 days in primary treatment for it to be effective. Anything less has limited to no effect. Insurance-driven treatment typically sees 8–12 days of inpatient approved by the insurance, followed by 4–6 weeks of intensive outpatient program in Florida. This is clearly a problem, setting the patient up for relapse because of less than affordable addiction treatment costs. Relapsing after this type of insurance-driven treatment is demoralizing for all and often very costly to the family. The patient typically has to start from scratch and repeat the entire process all over again, usually with an even greater chance of failure.
Research has shown that beyond primary treatment, people in recovery need to continue some level of care for an extended period of time. Aftercare, sober living, and continuing care programs like 12-step groups are important for long-term sobriety.
Many people in early recovery find that they need to change their entire lifestyle, including their friends, job, and where they live. This can be a difficult but necessary step to avoid relapse triggers and stay on the path to sobriety.
For some people with a less severe addiction, outpatient treatment may be a viable option. This can include weekly therapy sessions and attendance at 12-step meetings.
It’s important to remember that addiction is a chronic disease, and there is no “cure.” But with treatment and support, people in recovery can manage their symptoms and live a fulfilling life.
Longer Treatment Worth the Addiction Treatment Cost
Smaller independent centers have a unique approach to treatment and addiction treatment costs. Starting with a quality-driven model versus insurance-driven, all aspects serve to to maximize access, engagement and long-term success. Since we know that virtually all patients who are diagnosed with a moderate-to-severe substance use disorder will require a minimum of 90 days of primary treatment (often a combination of inpatient and outpatient rehab in Tampa with a tapering approach is clinically preferred), the fee structure is set accordingly to facilitate continuity of care for the 90 days, plus aftercare programs. Having a reasonable cash rate for a 90-day program is integral to the quality-driven approach.
When inquiring about rehab and addiction treatment costs, ask:
- What is your cash rate for a 90-day program?
- May I step-down to outpatient prior to 90 days and will my rate be adjusted accordingly?
- Do you bill insurance?
To find out more about the quality-driven treatment model contact BoardPrep Recovery Center®.
Affordable Treatment in Tampa
BoardPrep Recovery provides affordable addiction treatment costs with or without insurance. Our compassionate experts help clients find the best rehab programs to fit their substance use disorder and budget. Individualized substance use disorder programs include:
- Florida alcohol rehab for physicians, doctors, and professional careers
- Heroin detox and rehab
- Opiate and opioid rehab in Tampa, FL
- Meth addiction treatment in FL
- Cocaine rehab program in Tampa
Call 866.796.4720 to speak with a specialist about addiction treatment costs and ways to handle paying for rehab. Don’t let anything stand in your way.