Paying for treatment can be a challenge for some people or even the reason why they end up postponing their programs or not trying to get the help they need. If you have insurance, chances are your marketplace insurance can cover the program you want, since mental and behavioral health services are considered essential benefits, and insurances are required to cover them
Another possibility would be to look into your Medicare or Medicaid benefits if you know you are qualified to receive coverage from either of those. It is important to check which services are included since there are different types of coverages.
Still, many people cannot resort to those options, but that doesn’t yet mean they need to delay treatment. There are many ways to make a program more affordable, even if you have to pay out of pocket, such as:
- Sliding scale treatments – plans with fees that can be changed according to the patient’s income.
- Credit cards – people with good credit can use their credit cards, paying gradually as they are able to afford smaller payments a month.
- Payment plans – breaking the total price into monthly payments to get through them little by little.
- Rehab grants and scholarships – Government organizations offer grants or scholarships so that potential patients can afford their programs.
- Loans – even though it might not be anyone’s first choice, another alternative would be to take out a private loan, personal loans, or even home equity in order to afford treatment.
- Crowdfunding – online funds like a GoFundMe have become quite popular, useful, and efficient in getting people to come together to help pay for at least part of the costs.
Outpatient recovery programs are rehabilitation treatments that are just as efficient as residential programs, but that do not require patients to stay overnight or all day in order to receive medical and psychiatric help. These programs allow people to continue their usual routine as they recover from mental health disorders, so they can keep on going to work, taking care of family, studying, etc.
They are often recommended for milder cases of addiction, but they also work for anyone that wants to transition slowly into their daily, outside activities rather than go back at once. Other than that, they are also an option for those who do not qualify for residential treatment as their diagnosis might not fit the criteria.
So instead of staying 24/7, a patient has to make a number of visits a week for their sessions. The number and duration of such visits will depend on the scenario, the progress made, and the program that is chosen. A partial hospitalization program, or what is called PHP, for instance, is an alternative in which a patient has to go for sessions almost daily. The intensity of the treatment can be compared to that of residential treatment.
A partial hospitalization program is ideal for anyone who doesn’t feel very safe about going back home and into their community and usual day-to-day activities, as they fear they will ball back into their old habits.
If a PHP seems too intense or time-consuming, another great choice would be the intensive outpatient program, also referred to as IOP. While the concept of this program is essentially the same as a PHP – no need for a continuous stay like inpatient treatment -, the structure is just a little different.
IOP patients have to go back to their treatment facilities for individual therapy sessions, group therapy, and every other rehab activity required for their treatment, but these visits are not as frequent as it is with PHP.
Additionally, they might not be as long, either. While a PHP might require nearly everyday visits, an IOP would be less intense, with arrangements like thrice a week, for shorter sessions. As it is with partial hospitalization programs, IOP appointments would have to be decided depending on the needs of the patient, but they are less demanding than PHP treatment.
No matter what choice you make, it is important to understand that recovery is a process that extends beyond your stay or your visits – it’s for life. While adjusting, there is more that you can do in addition to therapy and medication in order to improve your mental, emotional, and physical health. Support groups, regular exercise, healthy eating habits, all of this and more has been proven to help the recovery process in great ways.
