How to Find Detox in Wisconsin

The opioid epidemic is growing in the United States. Wisconsin has a 19.2 per 100,000 mortality rate from substance addiction. This rate equals 1,079 people per 100,000 that died due to a drug overdose in 2018. [1] Wisconsin’s substance abuse mortality rate is slightly under the national rate, 20.7 per 100,000. [2]

The American Addiction Centers is here to provide the citizens of Wisconsin resources to find affordable treatment and support to defeat drug dependency. We are committed to helping you or a loved one overcome substance abuse addiction.

On this page, you will find information about treatment program options available in Wisconsin. We also supply valuable information on accredited programs and facilities and the types of payment options available for substance abuse addiction treatment.

Types of Rehab Available in Wisconsin

Successfully overcoming addiction is a two-step process. The first step is detoxification. This detoxification process involves removing the addictive substance from a patient’s body. Once this step is complete, the patient moves into a long-term counseling program.

Detox is the most stressful, and sometimes painful, part of substance abuse treatment. When the body withdraws from addictive substances, there are often physiological effects. [3] To minimize the pain and stress, many facilities provide medically supervised detoxification. After detox, the patient is physically and mentally ready for long-term treatment.

In long-term treatment, patients receive counseling and support through inpatient or outpatient care. The difference between inpatient and outpatient is whether or not the patient lives onsite in a facility for a short period or not. Inpatient care is suitable for patients who require a distraction-free environment and access to medical staff 24/7. Outpatient care is ideal for patients that can not take time off from work or can not commit to an extended amount of time off or away from home.

Both types of rehabilitation facilities provide the necessary support and counseling needed to address the social, behavioral, and psychological issues related to substance addiction. [4]

The table below lists the number of treatment facilities in Wisconsin that offer each level of care:

Type of Care, by number and percent
	Facilities
	No.	%
Outpatient	229	85.45%
Regular	220	82.09%
Intensive	98	36.57%
Day Treatment/Partial Hospitalization	23	8.58%
Detoxification	11	4.10%
Methadone/buprenorphine maintenance or naltrexone treatment	71	26.49%
Residential (non-hospital)	46	17.16%
Short Term	27	10.07%
Long Term	39	14.55%
Detoxification	2	0.75%
Hospital Inpatient	25	9.33%
Treatment	15	5.60%
Detoxification	23	8.58%
Total	268	100.00%

Paying for Addiction Treatment in Wisconsin

Private or state-funded insurance coverage is the most common method of paying for substance abuse treatment. Without health insurance, treatment may feel out of reach for some patients. The main reason why uninsured patients forgo treatment is due to cost, which is understandable.[5] The average cost for substance abuse treatment ranges from $3,000 to $10,000 for 90 days for outpatient care, and inpatient care ranges from $5,000 to $20,000 for 30 days. [6] However, for those without health insurance, there are still treatment options.

All rehab facilities are private or state-funded. Private treatment centers offer more amenities and treatment options and have lower staff to patient ratios. State-funded facilities have limited amenities and a higher staff to patient ratio, along with entry waitlists. State facilities types provide accredited treatment for little to no cost for patients without insurance or financial security.

Another payment option for uninsured patients is the federal Substance Abuse Block Grant (SABG). This program provides funds to states to plan, implement, and evaluate activities to prevent and treat substance use disorder. [13] SABG is the most extensive federal program dedicated to improving publicly funded substance treatment and prevention.

Unfortunately, Wisconsin has not expanded Medicaid coverage with the Affordable Care Act. However, the state’s Medicaid program, known as BadgerCare, does cover all legally present residents with incomes under the poverty level.[14].

State-Funded Rehab & Private Rehab in Wisconsin

Private facilities are the best option for those with employer-based health insurance or financial security. These facilities offer various therapy options, amenities, and staffing tailored to their patient’s needs. Many private insurance companies cover most of the cost of treatment. [7]

Patients without insurance do not have as many options. However, it is possible to receive accredited care in a state-funded facility. State facilities offer low-cost and sometimes free treatment for substance abuse.

However, the patients must apply and qualify first, and treatment is based on the severity of the addiction and income due to limited funds. These facilities are funded by grants or Medicaid reimbursement[8]. The approval process can be lengthy, and many state-funded facilities have waiting lists. However, state-funded treatment centers are a feasible option for uninsured patients.

The table below lists the number of Wisconsin facilities by private non-profit, private for-profit, locally funded, state-funded, or federally-funded.

Facility Operation, by number and percent
	Facilities
	No.	%
Private Non-Profit	114	42.54%
Private for Profit	100	37.31%
Local, county, or community government	42	15.67%
State government	1	0.37%
Federal Government	3	1.12%
Tribal Government	8	2.99%
Total	268	100.00%

Regardless of your current health insurance status, there are many substance abuse treatment options in Wisconsin.

Ways to Pay for Treatment in Wisconsin

There are 268 treatment facilities for substance abuse in Wisconsin. Of the 268 facilities, 241 accept private insurance, and many clinics offer alternative payment options. At least 158 clinics accept state-financed health insurance, and 155 accept federal military insurance plans.

The uninsured rate in Wisconsin is 5.5 percent, which is significantly better than the national uninsurance rate of 8 percent. [10] With or without health insurance status, many Wisconsin substance abuse facilities offer alternative financing options so you can find an affordable treatment that matches your budget.

You will find the typical payment methods used and how many Wisconsin facilities accept each payment type in the table below.

Facility Payment Options, by Number and percent
	No.	%
Cash or self-payment	255	95.15%
Private Health Insurance	241	89.93%
Medicare	153	57.09%
Medicaid	225	83.96%
State-financed Health insurance	158	58.96%
Federal military insurance	155	57.84%
No payment accepted (free treatment for all clients)	2	0.75%
IHS/Tribal/Union (ITU) funds	42	15.67%
Other payments	1	0.37%
Sliding fee scale	121	45.15%
Treatment at no charge or minimal payment for clients who can’t pay	90	33.58%
Total	268	100.00%

About 90 percent of Wisconsin treatment facilities accept private insurance, 57.1 percent accept Medicare, and 84 percent accept Medicaid payments. For clients with lower income, 45.1 percent of the facilities use a sliding fee scale based on income, and 33.6 percent provide treatment at no charge or a minimal amount.

Wisconsin Treatment Center Accreditations

Picking a treatment center based on accreditation is equally important as picking one that’s in your insurance network. Accreditation ensures that a facility and its practitioners use research-based methods and nationally recognized standards in addiction medicine.

Fortunately, some organizations regulate accreditation and provide you with a list of facilities that meet their standards. The Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment of 2018 (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act is a governing body that ensures the quality of accreditation by standardizing treatment and care are administered to patients. Any facility accredited through SUPPORT offers nationally recognized guidelines that ensure that patients receive quality and uniform behavioral health care. [11]

Another organization that oversees accreditation in behavioral medicine is the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). CARF will help you find an accredited facility or practitioner. The Joint Commission Accreditation for Addiction Treatment Providers (Joint Commission) provides accreditation to service providers and can also help you locate accredited providers. [12]

The table below lists the number of typical accreditation types or licenses to help you understand the number of accredited facilities and how common they are.

Facility Licensing, Certification, or Accreditation, by number and percent
	No.	%
Any listed agency/organization	252	94.03%
State substance abuse agency	214	79.85%
State mental health department	179	66.79%
State department of health	132	49.25%
Hospital licensing authority	34	12.69%
The Joint Commission	55	20.52%
Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)	20	7.46%
National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)	9	3.36%
Council on Accreditation (COA)	15	5.60%
Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP)	2	0.75%
Other national organization or federal, state or local agency	6	2.24%
Total	268	100.00%

The State of Wisconsin has several reputable accredited providers. Exactly 94 percent of all facilities have some accreditation, and 79.9 percent are accredited state substance abuse agencies.

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