Government and State-Funded Rehab Centers

State-funded rehab programs can offer low-income individuals or those without private insurance an affordable treatment program. Cost is often one of the largest factors in where and when people attend treatment, and for how long they remain in treatment. As a result, cost can form a barrier that keeps people from finding critical care for substance misuse.

State-funded rehab programs offer a variety of therapies, evidence-based treatments, and medications for addiction treatment.³ States all across the country offer state-funded rehab. In 2019, there were 15,961 substance abuse treatment centers in the United States and a total of 1,460,706 clients in substance abuse treatment.⁴ Understanding what state-funded rehab is, how to enroll in a program, and how to find a state-funded rehab near you can help you begin your journey to recovery.

What Are State-Funded Rehab Centers?

State-funded rehab centers are medical facilities that offer addiction treatment and receive funding from federal, state, or local governments. SAMHSA is a major institution that provides funding (through grants) to the states for this purpose.¹ Congress has mandated funds to go to each state as non-competitive grants, meaning states receive this money automatically.⁵ There are other, more specific grant opportunities that states can also apply for.⁶ Additionally, rehabs may be funded at the state-level through public insurance programs like Medicaid, or on the local and tribal level.

Who Is State-Funded Rehab For?

State-funded rehab centers are designed to assist individuals with substance use or mental health disorders.¹ However, since they are grants provided and distributed by the government, they typically assist those who cannot afford treatment at a private facility and at-risk individuals.² In addition, some funding goes to institutions such as the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA); so if you’re a veteran with a substance use disorder, you may be able to receive rehab assistance through the VA’s Veterans Alcohol and Drug Dependence Rehabilitation Program, which is a government-funded rehab.⁷

What Is the Difference Between State-Funded Rehab and Private Rehab?

State-funded rehabilitation centers and private rehabs have several similarities and differences. As mentioned above, one of the main factors of a state-funded rehab is that they most of their operating budget comes from government sources.¹ This can drive the costs down for people who are in a lower income bracket, making state-funded treatment centers more affordable.¹ Private rehabs must rely on fees from patients to offset costs, making them more costly.

Another difference between state-funded rehab programs and private rehabs is the focus of the treatment. State-funded rehab centers put more of a focus on evidence-based treatment and medication-assisted treatment.³ Private rehabs may focus their services more on amenities, holistic treatments, and other types of therapies. As a result, state-funded rehabs tend to provide exclusively the industry standard of in terms of services like detox, inpatient rehab, and outpatient rehab. As a result, they may lack amenities or comforts for patients during treatment that would be found at a private rehab center.

Additionally, state-funded rehabs may also have long wait lists. Due to the high demand for affordable treatment, you may need to wait several weeks or months to begin treatment at a state-funded program.

Who Qualifies for State-Funded Rehab?

The qualifications for entering a state-funded rehab center will vary from state to state. Many rehabs may also have certain eligibility requirements, so it’s worth checking with any prospective rehab centers to make sure you qualify. One of the most common requirements is that you fall within a certain income bracket and do not have private insurance.

Certain public insurance plans can also help you cover the cost of state-funded rehab:

• Medicare: This insurance is for people over the age of 65 or those with certain disabilities.⁸
• Medicaid: Medicaid insurance is provided to individuals of all ages who meet eligibility requirements for their state. Some groups of people, such as pregnant women, children, and people receiving SSI, are automatically eligible for this insurance.⁹
• VA Insurance: VA healthcare benefits are available for those who served in the military, naval, or air service without a dishonorable discharge.

How Much Does State-Funded Rehab Cost?

The cost of state-funded rehab will vary based on several factors. Where you choose to attend treatment, how long the treatment lasts, how intense the treatment is, and what degree of insurance coverage you have will all cause the costs to vary. There are also programs like loans, scholarships, and sliding scale fees that may help to reduce the costs of state-funded rehab. Overall, it’s important to check with your insurance provider to check your coverage before treatment.

How Quickly Will State-Funded Rehab Begin?

Due to the lower costs of state-funded rehab, it may be difficult to secure a spot in a state-funded rehab program. Where the facility is and how many people are seeking to attend treatment there can influence how long you may have to wait. For example, if a state-funded treatment center is the only facility located in a rural area, then it may be in high demand and have a long wait list.

It’s important to remember that one should not delay care, especially if they are in a crisis. You may be able to reduce the wait time by checking with multiple rehabs. A professional at an addiction helpline may be able to help you explore options for finding treatment sooner rather than later.

How to Find State-Funded Rehab Near Me

If you’ve decided to commit to treatment you’ll need to begin the process of finding a nearby state-funded rehab. One of the best ways would be to contact a doctor or trusted medical professional. They can help determine your medical needs and may be able to give you a referral to a state-funded rehab program or visit an online detox and rehab directory to find a state-funded rehab or detox center near you.

If you have public insurance like Medicare, Medicaid, or VA insurance, you may be able to find state-funded rehab programs through these networks. For example, the VA operates an extensive network for treatment providers that work with VA insurance. Contacting a VA representative is often the first step to finding a state-funded rehab program through the VA. Contacting Medicare and Medicaid can also be an important first-step for finding in-network state-funded detox or rehab programs.

You may also consider calling a rehab hotline. These helplines, like the one operated by American Addiction Centers (AAC), run 24/7 and can answer questions you may have about finding state-funded rehabs in your area. You can also text us to get more information about finding state-funded rehab.