Expert Insights
I recently read a news story about a Metairie mother arrested after her 1-year-old daughter overdosed on fentanyl and required Narcan for revival.
And that’s not even the worst part: this was the second time the little girl overdosed on this deadly poison and required life-saving measures to bring her back. At least the woman had the good sense to rush her child to a fire station for help when she found her unresponsive.
I mention this case in order to make one point: fentanyl is a pandemic of epic proportions and it’s quite obviously being ignored by our elected leaders.
~ Natalie Baker
Cost of Drug Rehab in Metairie
As you research your options for drug or alcohol rehab in Metairie, remember that several variables can impact your overall treatment expenses. Those variables include:
Treatment setting (inpatient or outpatient)
Features and amenities (luxury or standard facility)
Duration of program (30, 60, or 90 days)
Health insurance plan
Choosing a rehab facility in-network with health insurance provider
Government funding
Location (city vs. suburb)
Within 25 miles of Metairie, you’ll find 18 alcohol and drug rehab facilities. Most, if not all, of them accept multiple forms of payment to accommodate a wide variety of patient needs, financial situations, and insurance plans.
Of those 18 treatment centers:
16 accept self-payment (cash, credit card, etc.)
8 use a sliding fee scale for those without insurance
16 accept Medicaid insurance coverage
5 accept Medicare insurance coverage
11 accept private health insurance
8 accept TRICARE military insurance
9 offer various forms of payment assistance for financially eligible patients
Low-Cost and Free Drug Rehab Centers in Metairie
Even if you feel you cannot afford rehab, you still have options to seek professional treatment. Several Metairie alcohol rehabs offer reduced-cost services and other financial resources for individuals who may not have the means to pay for care.
Government-Funded Programs
If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for low-cost or free care at a government-funded alcohol and drug rehab in Metairie. These facilities receive subsidies from state and federal sources, so they can provide evidence-based treatment for people who don’t have the resources to pay for care.
To qualify for reduced-cost or free services, you must be able to show proof of financial need, state residency, and proof of your insurance status. If accepted, you’ll receive the same types of evidence-based treatment that privately funded facilities provide. But be aware that you may be placed on a waiting list for enrollment, depending on your addiction status.
Sliding Scale Programs
If you can’t get into a state-funded facility or don’t want to wait, look for Metairie drug rehabs that use a sliding fee scale. These facilities will use your income and may also factor in your living expenses to determine the cost of your program. The lower your income, the more of a discount you’ll be eligible for. Ultimately, you’ll only be charged what you can reasonably afford to pay.
Be aware that some facilities have a bare minimum fee, while others serve patients regardless of their ability to pay. If you have a very low income, you may qualify for free care, depending on the facility you choose.
Rehab Scholarships
Some facilities offer partial or full scholarships for patients who can demonstrate serious financial need. National philanthropic organizations like 10,000 Beds also offer scholarships for individuals who need help paying for some or all of their treatment costs.
If you don’t have the resources to pay for care, consider applying for one or more of these need-based awards. You can call treatment centers individually to see if they offer any type of financial aid. Even if a facility doesn’t offer scholarships, they may be able to point you in the direction of treatment centers or organizations that do.
Using Insurance to Pay for Care
If you have private or public health insurance, you may be able to use your plan to pay for drug or alcohol rehab in Metairie. Under the Affordable Care Act, most health insurance policies must offer coverage for addiction treatment services because they’re classified as essential health benefits. However, coverage can vary depending on the provider and plan. Some policies pay for care in full, while others pay for certain services or a specific percentage of total costs.
If you’re unfamiliar with your plan’s benefits, call the number on the back of your insurance card to request a breakdown of your coverage. You can also ask for a list of alcohol and drug rehabs in Metairie that accept your plan.
Resources
- Metairie, Louisiana Population 2022 (Demographics, Maps, Graphs). (n.d.). Worldpopulationreview.com.
- Cassidy.senate.gov. (2022, July 26). Cassidy Co-Leads Senate HELP Hearing on Fighting Fentanyl Crisis.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021, June). Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) 2019 (Revised), Admissions to and Discharges From Publicly Funded Substance use Treatment.
- Louisiana Legislature. (2022). House Bill No. 601, Act 225.
