Drug and alcohol rehab programs can be very costly, especially for those who need full-time inpatient or residential care.
At a state-funded rehab facility, this cost is greatly reduced and may be free for some people.
Treatment centers can offer this by accepting government-funded health insurance, using federal and state grants, and providing financial assistance with other state-funded programs.
State Funding Through Government-Funded Health Insurance
Many treatment centers across the United States accept government-funded health insurance programs.
These include:
- Medicaid
- Medicare
- TRICARE
The most common government-funded health insurance that’s accepted at treatment centers is Medicaid.
Medicaid eligibility varies based on the state you live in, but in general, you must be:
- a U.S. citizen
- pregnant
- a parent or caretaker relative
- a child
- an adult between the ages of 18 and 64 earning a low income
- 65 years of age or older
- blind, disabled, or deaf
Level Of Coverage
State-funded rehab centers that accept Medicaid may be able to provide free or low-cost treatment for some or all of their services.
You’ll first need to check your health plan to determine what services are covered under your plan.
Medicaid plans typically include multiple levels of inpatient and outpatient care for mental health and substance abuse.
Many states provide health care with managed care organizations (MCOs), which are private health insurance companies that work with the state to provide affordable health care.
Review your member handbook and MCO’s health plan policies to find out what services are covered for you and your family.
Copayments
Some Medicaid plans in the U.S. require copayments, while others do not.
For those plans which do require copays, the fee is typically set based on your annual income and cannot exceed a certain amount per month or year.
Once you’ve reached that cap, you won’t have to cover any copays. This amount is usually a few hundred dollars.
Copays are often required for:
- prescription medications, such as withdrawal management medications
- inpatient services
- outpatient services
However, you may be eligible for a health plan that doesn’t charge copayments, in which you’ll be able to get free substance abuse treatment services.
Federal And State Grants For Substance Abuse Treatment
The primary source of state funding for these treatment programs is block grants and other grants awarded by the government.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awards block funding for mental health and substance abuse treatment, education, and prevention.
The two primary block grants from SAMHSA are:
- Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG): This program targets adults and children with mental illness, and is available in all 50 states.
- Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG): This program targets pregnant women, those who use intravenous drugs, and primary prevention services.
Each year, states granted this funding can disperse funds to different addiction treatment providers, who then create scholarships and other financial assistance programs for clients.
Other Funding Sources For Treatment Centers
There may be other state-specific grant and funding programs for substance abuse treatment programs.
Many non-profit organizations and state-run facilities can use these funds. Some are able to offer free treatment, while others can use a portion of the funds to cover treatment expenses.
These rehab facilities also typically receive donations and provide other financial assistance programs, which can be used to help pay for your drug treatment program.
Addiction Treatment Programs Offered At State-Funded Rehab Centers
Throughout the U.S., you can find a full continuum of care for drug and alcohol addiction treatment.
Keep in mind that if you have Medicaid or health insurance, you may have more options in finding treatment, as the options for free treatment at state-funded programs are limited.
Many state-funded rehab centers offer treatment options such as:
- inpatient treatment
- residential treatment
- standard outpatient programs (OP)
- individual and group counseling
- DUI services
Though services vary based on the state, your Medicaid plan can cover additional services such as:
- ambulatory detoxification
- withdrawal management
- partial hospitalization programs (PHP)
- intensive outpatient programs (IOP)
- medication-assisted treatment (MAT) using buprenorphine, methadone, Suboxone, and naltrexone
Getting Into A State-Funded Rehab Facility
State-funded treatment programs typically offer free and low-cost treatment, which means the programs are in high demand, as many people are seeking affordable behavioral health care.
You may need to remain on a waitlist before you can enter the program, especially if this is an inpatient or residential treatment center.
There may also be fewer addiction treatment options at a state-funded program with limited resources and addiction specialists on staff.
The drug abuse treatment program will likely require:
- proof of income
- Medicaid ID, if applicable
If approved and there is availability, you can begin your treatment program and discuss payment options for any remaining fees.
Other Rehab Payment Options
If you can’t get into a state-funded drug and alcohol rehab center, there are other options for low-cost treatment.
You can look into:
- health loans
- private health insurance
- self-payment
- paying on a sliding scale
- crowdfunding
- financial assistance offered by the rehab center
State-Funded Rehab FAQs
Finding a treatment program can be overwhelming when there are so many options for recovery.
To help you narrow your search, we’ve answered some of the most commonly asked questions about state-funded addiction treatment.
Is State-Funded Addiction Treatment Free?
Some state-funded drug addiction treatment programs are free, while others are only partially covered.
Do All State-Funded Rehab Centers Accept Medicaid?
Not all state-funded rehab centers take Medicaid, but there are many that do.
How Long Is The Waitlist For A State-Funded Rehab Program?
If you can’t get into the program immediately, you may remain on a waitlist for several weeks or months.
Are There Faith-Based State-Funded Rehab Programs?
Some religious treatment programs do receive state and federal funding for treatment if they’re considered a non-profit, but faith-based programs are usually funded primarily through private donations.
Find more information on religious drug and alcohol rehab centers
Can I Get Opioid Treatment At A State-Funded Rehab Center?
Some state-funded rehab programs offer opioid addiction counseling and medication, such as medication-assisted treatment programs.
Learn more about opioid detox and treatment
Find A State-Funded Addiction Treatment Center
Affordable treatment is possible with a state-funded substance abuse treatment program.
Depending on the state and treatment center, you can get inpatient, outpatient, and residential treatment at a low cost or for free.
Select a state below to find state-funded treatment near you:
Addiction Resource aims to provide only the most current, accurate information in regards to addiction and addiction treatment, which means we only reference the most credible sources available.
These include peer-reviewed journals, government entities and academic institutions, and leaders in addiction healthcare and advocacy. Learn more about how we safeguard our content by viewing our editorial policy.
- Medicaid.gov
https://www.medicaid.gov/ - Medicaid.gov — Cost Sharing Out of Pocket Costs
https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/cost-sharing/cost-sharing-out-pocket-costs/index.html - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration — Community Mental Health Services Block Grant
https://www.samhsa.gov/grants/block-grants/mhbg - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration — Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant
https://www.samhsa.gov/grants/block-grants/sabg
