Expert Insights
The opioid epidemic is the most overwhelming professional challenge I have faced while working as a psychologist in Colorado. Communities have been decimated as thousands of individuals, many of whom started with a prescription for pain, became dependent on opioids and transitioned to street drugs.
According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, over 10,000 residents passed away from opioid overdoses between 2000 and 2022. The void left in their families and the impact on Colorado’s social and economic future is impossible to measure.
For years, people have had to drive hours to access qualified recovery services. The investment of settlement resources from big pharma to build local centers is a positive sign but access is still a challenge and addressing underlying mental health conditions must be prioritized.
~ Serg Valencia, MD, MS
How Much Does Drug Rehab Cost in Colorado?
Colorado is ranked 11th nationwide in terms of addiction treatment affordability, with an average cost of drug and alcohol rehab of $56,413 (without insurance).
- Medical detox is the most expensive, with an average cost of $139,079
- Long-term inpatient drug rehab in Colorado costs an average of $49,781
- Outpatient addiction treatment in Colorado costs an average of $8,272
- Outpatient methadone treatment is the most affordable, with an average cost of $7,349
Addiction treatment costs are variable. Luxury rehabs with resort-like amenities can cost tens of thousands of dollars for a 30-day stay. More typical inpatient programs are less costly, and outpatient programs may be even more affordable. The final price tag for Colorado drug rehabs will depend on multiple factors, including:
- Whether the program is inpatient or outpatient
- The location of the facility
- Which insurance plans the program accepts
- The special amenities provided
- Length of stay
Inpatient programs tend to have higher costs. Staying on-site for treatment requires paying for housing and meals, as well as the counseling and medical care associated with treatment. Different facilities have different pricing scales depending on the services and amenities they include. Outpatient treatment is less expensive because it does not include housing, meals, and certain medical services.
How to Pay for Drug Rehab in Colorado
As of 2024, there were over 450 drug rehab facilities across the state of Colorado. These facilities accept several payment methods. Of those treatment facilities, the following numbers reflect how many accept their respective payment methods:
379 accept self-payment or cash
262 offer sliding-scale fees for those without insurance
236 accept Medicaid insurance coverage
117 accept state funded insurance coverage
221 accept private health insurance
140 offer free or low-cost treatment
5 offer free treatment for all clients
21 accept tribal funding
Paying for addiction treatment in Colorado can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. Low cost and free rehab help reduce or eliminate the financial burden associated with substance abuse treatment.
Although finding treatment options that meet your financial ability may feel difficult, healthcare professionals are well aware that the cost of going without rehabilitation is far higher when you count the cost of drugs, loss of employment, damaged relationships, and possible incarceration.
Private Pay + Insurance
Most commercial health insurance plans and policies offer coverage for substance abuse treatment. This is mandated by two federal laws: the 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act and the 2010 Affordable Care Act. While these federal laws cover most insurance plans, there are exceptions, so you must verify your insurance coverage before beginning treatment.
Some people choose private pay even when they have health insurance coverage. This reduces the potential that an employer will discover they require addiction treatment. The following is a list of commercial insurance companies that provide coverage in Colorado:
- Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Colorado
- Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company
- Denver Health Medical Plan, Inc.
- HealthNetCo Insurance Agency
- HMO Colorado, Inc.
- Humana Health Plan, Inc.
- Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colorado
- Rocky Mountain Health Maintenance Organization
- Select Health
- United Healthcare Services, Inc.
- UnitedHealthcare of Colorado, Inc.
Medicaid
Medicaid is a health insurance program funded by state and federal funds but administered by the state. Eligibility requirements include several criteria such as income, being a citizen of the U.S. or certain qualified non-citizens, having an active Social Security card, and being a resident of the state of Colorado.
Medicaid helps pay for substance abuse treatment and co-occurring mental health conditions. Health First Colorado is Colorado’s Medicaid program. Health First provides you with a primary care provider within your regional organization. Individuals with complicated needs can contact their primary care provider or regional organization for care coordination, to get help with things like transportation, finding a specialist, or getting help with substance abuse treatment.
Medicare
Medicare is a federally funded health insurance program designed primarily for people 65 and older and those with certain disabilities. There are four parts to Medicare. Medicare Part A pays for inpatient hospitalizations, including inpatient or residential substance abuse treatment. Medicare Part B is outpatient services, including therapy and outpatient care for mental health conditions and substance abuse treatment.
Medicare Part C is also called Medicare Advantage plans. These are premium based policies offered by commercial health insurance to administer and manage Medicare Parts A and B. These plans sometimes offer additional benefits. Medicare Part D covers drug coverage, including drug substitution for opioid use disorders. Colorado’s Department of Regulatory Agency administers senior healthcare and Medicare and helps enrollees navigate the system. More than 1 million Colorado residents are enrolled in the Medicare program and roughly 51% have also purchased Medicare Advantage plans.
Military Insurance
TRICARE is Military Insurance that covers active duty military personnel, veterans, and their families. TRICARE is available worldwide and separates the U.S. into two regions. Colorado is covered in the West region by Health Net Federal services.
Many of Colorado’s veterans are also eligible for Medicaid. Eligibility for medical care through the VA health care does not affect Health First eligibility and may offer additional resources to individuals, such as substance abuse treatment. Enrollment in VA health care ensures you can receive immediate health care benefits in more than 1,700 places across the U.S. There’s no enrollment fee, premiums, or deductibles, and most veterans have no out-of-pocket costs.
Tribal Funding and Programs
According to the American Library Association, Indigenous Nations native to Colorado make up approximately 1% of the state’s population. The state maintains a directory of resource managers throughout the state called the Colorado Tribal Contacts List. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association has a Tribal Opioid Response Grant to help address the opioid crisis in tribal communities across the U.S.
Colorado also has a Land-based Tribe Behavioral Health Services grant program to provide infrastructure improvements in behavioral health facilities that serve the Indigenous population. Colorado Grant Watch treatment and prevention grants, seven of which are grants to help tribal entities address substance abuse problems.
Other Low Cost Options
There are several financial options to help lower the cost of alcohol and drug rehab. A personal loan is the fastest way to start substance abuse treatment. A personal loan from the bank offers greater confidentiality, while a loan from friends and family typically has a far lower interest rate and more flexible repayment plan.
Consider working with the financial counselor at your treatment center to find other options that reduce your out of pocket cost. If you don’t have a commercial health insurance policy, you may qualify for Medicaid. Some addiction treatment centers offer payment plans or sliding scale fees when you provide documentation of your income level and ability to pay.
Faith based organizations are usually nonprofit and offer help with payment. Local organizations may offer grants and scholarships and you might consider fund raising from friends, family, or crowd funding sources.
Resources
- America’s Health Rankings. (2021). Non-Medical Drug Use – Past Year In Colorado.
- Medicare.gov. (2022). Inpatient hospital care.
- Health First Colorado. (2022). Mental Health, Substance Use Disorder, or Behavioral Health Services.
- Colorado Judicial Branch. (2022). Drug Court.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021). Facility Locator. from https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/locator
