How Can I Pay for Methadone Treatment?

In spite of today’s skyrocketing opiate addiction rates, the costs associated with drug treatment remains the number one deterrent keeping many from getting needed treatment help. According to the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, an estimated 23.1 million Americans struggled with substance abuse disorders. Of this number, less than 20 percent sought out treatment.

In effect, lack of adequate healthcare coverage accounted for why many failed to get treatment. Fortunately, recent years have brought on some drastic changes in healthcare and healthcare insurance coverage in general. This means, most anyone in need of methadone treatment help has the means to cover treatment costs.

Methadone Treatment Clinic Costs

As of 1974, methadone exists as the first drug to receive federal approval as an opiate addiction treatment medication. This coupled with extensive research on methadone’s therapeutic effects, dating back to the 1960s, has made a range of financial resources available to methadone treatment clinics.

These provisions have greatly lowered the cost of methadone treatment overall. On average, daily costs range around $76.13 for residential treatment programs with daily costs for outpatient programs ranging around $17.78. While relatively inexpensive compared to other forms of treatment, these daily amounts add up quickly, leaving many unable to afford needed treatment care.

Payment Assistance Options for Methadone Treatment

Medicaid can help pay for methadone treatment.

Medicaid Coverage

According to the Center for Medicaid & CHIP Services, state and federally sponsored Medicaid insurance offers low-income individuals a range of options for covering substance abuse-related treatment costs, including methadone treatment. In turn, some methadone clinics offer some form of assistance with applying for Medicaid for people who qualify for coverage.

Health Insurance Coverage

With the passing of the Affordable Care Act in 2008, all marketplace healthcare plans must provide coverage for substance abuse treatment as part of their standard policy offerings. This change means people who carry health coverage through an employer may well be able to cover a good portion of methadone treatment costs through their insurance plan, according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy. The year 2008 also saw the passing of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, which requires insurers to offer the same level of coverage benefits for both standard medical care and substance abuse treatment.

Sliding Fee Scale Option

Many methadone treatment clinics not only receive financial support from state and federal sources, but also nonprofit organizations and government grants. As a result, many clinics allow patients to cover treatment costs according to a sliding fee scale that’s based on their monthly income earnings. Sliding fee scale costs typically vary depending on any one clinic’s available funding.

Considerations

While finding a way to pay for methadone treatment costs may take a little research and time, the costs involved with maintaining an opiate addiction far surpass the costs of getting needed treatment help. In effect, drug addiction costs reach well beyond the pocketbook, destroying a person’s health, relationships and overall quality of life.

Ultimately, the longer a person lives with opiate addiction the harder it is to break addiction’s hold. For these reasons, it’s in your best interest to take advantage of available options for covering methadone treatment cost.