Expert Insights
As a nurse practitioner, I saw firsthand the damage that drug and alcohol misuse has done to Kansas’ communities and families. It poses a serious public health challenge, contributing to preventable deaths, chronic disease and mental health conditions. Families I treated who struggled with addiction wound up in emergency rooms and many were hospitalized with overdose, liver disease, and poor cognitive function.
In Kansas, the highest number of drug-related deaths was from opioids of any type. According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s Division of Public Health, the rate of change began growing year over year in 2019, jumping 43% in 2020 and 68.5% in 2021.
Only the number of heroin deaths decreased, dropping 56.8% in 2022. Still, these increases in overdose deaths highlight the need for more access to addiction treatment in Kansas.
~ Gayle Morris, BSN, MSN
How Much Does Drug Rehab Cost in Kansas?
Kansas is ranked 17th nationwide in terms of addiction treatment affordability, with an average cost of drug and alcohol rehab of $56,618 (without insurance).
- Medical detox is the most expensive, with an average cost of $139,584
- Long-term inpatient drug rehab in Kansas costs an average of $49,962
- Outpatient addiction treatment in Kansas costs an average of $8,302
- Outpatient methadone treatment is the most affordable, with an average cost of $7,376
How to Pay for Drug Rehab in Kansas
As of 2024, there were over 170 drug rehab facilities across the state of Kansas. These facilities accept several payment methods. Of those treatment facilities, the following numbers reflect how many accept their respective payment methods:
162 accept self-payment or cash
115 offer sliding-scale fees for those without insurance
129 accept Medicaid insurance coverage
84 accept state funded insurance coverage
133 accept private health insurance
80 offer free or low-cost treatment
3 offer free treatment for all clients
11 accept tribal funding
Private Insurance Carriers
- Aetna
- Allied National
- Ambetter Health
- Beacon Health Options
- Blue Cross /Blue Shield
- Broker Source of Kansas City
- Cigna
- Farmers Insurance
- Health Insurance Cooperative
- Humana
- Medica
- New Directions Behavioral Health
- Oscar Insurance
- State Farm
- Sunflower Health Plan
- UnitedHealthcare
- ValuePenguin
Medicaid
Government-funded Medicaid insurance in Kansas is administered by the Division of Health
Care Finance. They use a Kansas managed care program called KanCare. KanCare offers Medicaid and the Kansas CHIP program for children.
Substance abuse treatment provided through KanCare Medicaid programs may include crisis care, detox, medication assisted treatment, inpatient or residential drug treatment, outpatient addiction treatment with intensive outpatient or regular outpatient services, 12-step and faith-based programs, gender-specific programming, LGBTQ+ programs, and special addiction treatment programs for pregnant women.All services are not available at every facility.So, you should check with your insurance provider to learn which facilities and programs would be available to you.
Medicare and Medicare Advantage
Medicare and Medicare Advantage insurance plans in Mississippi will cover mental health and substance abuse treatment, if you are diagnosed with a substance abuse disorder (SUD). Services will vary by plan, but they will often include detox, medication assisted treatment (MAT), residential or inpatient care, outpatient treatment (including partial hospitalization programs and intensive outpatient programs), and regular outpatient treatment, as well as individual, group, and/or family counseling.
Diagnostic psychiatric or psychological evaluations and medication management are also typically covered. It is important that you check with your insurance provider, however, to find out the exact details of your insurance plan’s substance abuse treatment coverage. Many policies have limits on the number of inpatient days they will pay for and other fees may apply as well, such as deductibles and copays.
Military insurance
Insurances available specifically to military and military veterans include TriCare and insurance benefits available through the VA–Department of Veterans Affairs. TriCare insurance covers addiction treatment for current and retired military personnel who have been diagnosed with substance use disorder (SUD).
Services covered may include residential or inpatient care, treatment for opioid addiction, with detox and medication assisted treatment, and outpatient treatment, including intensive outpatient programs, partial hospitalization programs, and regular outpatient treatment. Policies vary, so the types of treatment services offered may differ. Some services may not be available at all facilities. In addition, sometimes insurance policies place limitations on specific services.
Department of Veterans Affairs addiction and substance abuse treatment benefits for military veterans in Kansas are offered through the VA Substance Use Disorder (SUD) program. This program provides inpatient/residential treatment and outpatient treatment, plus opioid treatment services. But services vary by the VA’s SUD facility locations.4 You can find a list list of Kansas VA clinics that have SUD programs at on the VA website.
Tribal Funding/Programs
The Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska White Cloud Health Center
The Sac and Fox Nation tribes of Kansas are served by the White Cloud Health Center locations in Brown and Doniphan counties in Kansas. Substance abuse treatment services offered include assessment and outpatient treatment. Acute, chronic, and preventative care is provided.
They also have community health representatives who can provide transportation to a health center facility. Or they can make visits to a tribal community member’s home, if travel is unsafe or difficult for the individual.
Kansas Kickapoo Tribe: Tribal Health Native Connections Program
The Native Connections program, part of the Kickapoo Tribe Behavioral Health department, receives grants from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) to provide prevention education and resources to tribal youth. Programs are offered in schools, through Boys and Girls Clubs, and through other community organizations.
The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Behavioral Health Program
The substance abuse program of the Prairie Band of the Potawatomi Nation in Mayetta Kansas provides tribal members with substance abuse and mental health evaluations, crisis intervention services, individual, family, and couples counseling, and outpatient group counseling. They also offer anger management classes, alcohol and drug school information, prevention activities, and jail visits. They collaborate with tribal, city, and county court systems.
Other Low-Cost Options
Financial Assistance
If you need help to finance your drug rehab treatment, you might consider taking out a loan from a bank, or from a family members or friend. You might also try to solicit funding assistance on a social media platform, such as GoFundMe, a platform that helps people raise funds for projects and personal needs.
If you are a member of a group that often faces discrimination, such as a racial minority group, or the LGBTQ+ community, check out different organizations that support these groups. Sometimes their advocacy organizations offer scholarships to help pay for substance abuse treatment for members of their communities.
Sliding Scale Payments
Many rehab facilities offer reduced fee payment options to help potential clients who otherwise would be unable to afford treatment at their facility. If your income is below federal poverty level, you might be able to receive the maximum amount of fee reduction that a facility offers. But since drug rehab costs vary greatly–for instance, between luxury and state-funded facilities–even receiving a discounted fee would not guarantee that a particular facility would be an affordable option for you.
Family Medical Leave Act
The Family Medical Leave Act of 1993 assured job security for employees who take a leave from work for mental health reasons, including seeking treatment for addiction. With FMLA, you can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave within any 12-month period, without losing your job. During your leave time, your employer is required to continue maintaining your health insurance benefits.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Block Grants
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration provides block grants to every state. These grants are used by local government and non-governmental organizations to assist them in providing services like mental health crisis services, inpatient or residential substance abuse treatment, and outpatient addiction treatment.
In Kansas, the Department of Aging and Disability Services uses these block grants to provide funding for substance abuse and mental health prevention services, addiction treatment, and recovery support. Ask rehabs that you are considering if they have SAMHSA grants available.
Free Addiction Treatment in Kansas
Kansas Crisis Hotlines
Kansas 211
Funded by United Way, Kansas 211 connects Kansas callers with crisis resources such as addiction treatment options, housing resources, childcare and senior care resources, employment support options, and other crisis support. You can reach the hotline by dialing 211 on your phone.
National Rehab Hotline / Kansas
Part of the National Rehab Hotline organization, and available 24/7, the Kansas Addiction Hotline is a free and anonymous crisis call hotline. To receive help with addiction, call 866-210-1303. You will be connected to an addiction specialist who can help you with resources and support.
Adolescent Center for Treatment
ACT is associated with the Johnson County Mental Health Center that provides community mental health services. JCMHC is a Community Mental Health Center, licensed by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services. The 10-bed ACT facility in Shawnee, Kansas is a residential drug treatment facility for adolescents.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Kansas
NAMI Kansas is a nonprofit organization, and part of the national NAMI organization. NAMI helps families, caregivers, and other individuals who are affected by mental illness. It may be their own mental illness, or the mental illness of someone they care about. NAMI Kansas provides education, support, and community outreach, plus awareness education about mental health issues. They also aid mentally ill individuals in managing their symptoms and navigating the mental health system.
Heartland Regional Alcohol and Drug Assessment Center
The Heartland Regional Alcohol and Drug Assessment Center has offices in Roeland Park and Mission, Kansas. This nonprofit serves 76 counties in Kansas, providing substance abuse assessments, referrals, and treatment, including crisis services. Crisis calls are accepted 24/7 by calling the main office at 913-789-0951 or 1-800-281-0029. Regular office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 am till 5 pm, central standard time.
Salvation Army – Kansas City – Adult Rehabilitation Center
The Salvation Army Rehabilitation Center in Kansas City provides 6-12 months of rehabilitation for males ages 21-65 and older who have alcohol and/or drug addiction. The program provides food, housing, work opportunities, counseling, and spiritual care. Program recipients must take part in work therapy and attend all program activities and classes.
Adult Detoxification Unit
The Adult Detoxification Unit, located in Shawnee, Kansas, assists people in safely detoxing from alcohol or drugs in a non-medical process. Staff is available 24/7 during detox. After detox, clients are referred to community treatment resources and 12-step groups for follow-up care. The facility is a department in the Johnson County, Kansas government system. Call 913-826-4100 for admission information.
Kansas City Behavioral Health Services / Designated Women’s Substance Abuse Treatment
In association with Kansas Medicaid’s KanCare, there are eight Designated Women’s Substance Abuse Treatment Programs throughout Kansas. Women who have substance abuse and who are pregnant, have children, are attempting to regain custody of their children, or are using IV drugs are given priority for admission to the treatment program. Program locations are: Bridgehouse/Salina, Garden City, Marienthal, Sedan, Pittsburg, Lawrence, and Wichita (2 locations).
Confluence – Harm Reduction Kansas City
Confluence – Harm Reduction Kansas City provides free naloxone (Narcan), fentanyl testing strips, condoms, hygiene kits and N95 masks. Supplies are confidentially delivered on selected routes, or you can receive them by mail. Call 816-944-0917, or text them, to sign up to receive supplies.
Drug Laws in Kansas
Kansas Good Samaritan Law
The Kansas Good Samaritan Overdose Law protects people who assist in an overdose emergency situation, preventing them from being arrested or prosecuted for their actions, as long as the care is offered “in good faith,” reasonably, and without recklessness.
Kansas Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substances
Under Kansas Statute 21-5706, it is unlawful to possess or distribute controlled substances, or their precursors, including stimulants, opiates, narcotics, hallucinogens, marijuana, and anabolic steroids. It is also illegal to possess drug paraphernalia, and to manufacture or cultivate a controlled substance. Felony charges may be served for violations.
Kansas Cannabis (Marijuana) Law: Possession
It is illegal to possess marijuana in Kansas. Possession of marijuana of less than 450 grams for first-time offenders in Kansas is a misdemeanor. It is punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a fine up to $1,000. Possession of 450 grams and more is a felony. It can result in punishment of 10 months of probation to 42 months in jai, plus a fine up to $100,000.
Kansas Cannabis (Marijuana) Law: Sale and Distribution
In Kansas, sale of less than 25 grams of marijuana is a felony punishable by 14-51 months of jail and a fine up to $300,000. Distribution of 25- 450 grams is a felony punishable by 46-83 months in jail and a fine up to $300,000 as well. Sales of amounts over 450 grams can result in imprisonment for 46- 204 months and fines up to $500,000.
DUI Laws Kansas: First and Second Offense
For a first DUI in Kansas the punishment is 48 hours of mandatory imprisonment or 100 hours of community service, plus a fine of $500-$1,000. You must also attend a DUI program (at your expense), and your driving privileges will be suspended for 30 days and restricted for another 330 days.
A second offense results in 90 days to one year in jail, $1,000-$1,500 in fines, and driving privileges suspended for one year. You must also install an interlock ignition device to drive your car after suspension is completed, and you must use it for one year.
DUI Laws Kansas: Third and Subsequent Offenses
In Kansas, a third DUI offense results in 90 days to a year in jail, a fine of $1,500 to $2,500, plus a court-ordered DUI class, and a one-year suspension of driving privileges. An interlock ignition device must also be installed in your car. A fourth DUI offense results in the same punishment above but with the maximum fine of $2,500.
In addition, following incarceration you will be on probation for a year and must complete a drug/alcohol program at your expense. Any further subsequent violations result in the same punishment as the fourth violation, and in addition, your driving privileges are permanently revoked.
Sources
- Kansas Department of Health and Environment / Division of Health Care Finance / KanCare & Medicaid. https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/183/KanCare-Medicaid
- White Cloud Health Center (2024). https://whitecloudhealthcenter.org/about-us
- Topeka Capital-Journal Online News (2020). Kickapoo Tribe Nets $1.2 Million Grant. https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/state/2020/08/19/kansas-kickapoo-tribe-nets-12m-grant/43090707/
- United Way (2024) Salvation Army – Kansas City–Adult Rehabilitation Center. https://uwgkc.myresourcedirectory.com/index.php/component/cpx/?task=resource.view&id=2948097
- Johnson County Kansas government (2024). Adult Detoxification Unit. https://www.jocogov.org/contact-us/all-locations/adult-detoxification-unit
