Expert Insights
In nursing, there are moments that will always stick with you, no matter how many years pass. I had one of those moments when I worked as a school nurse. A student of mine overdosed in the classroom. In these situations, administration of Narcan would have significantly changed the outcome. Unfortunately, I did not have Narcan available.
Narcan is available without a prescription in Missouri. I would encourage everyone to keep a supply available at home, at work, in your purse or pocket. The administration of Narcan can mean the difference between life and death for the more than 10,000 annual drug overdoses in Missouri (data from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services).
~ Cary Damerow, BA, LPN
How Much Does Drug Rehab Cost in Missouri?
Missouri is ranked 29th nationwide in terms of addiction treatment affordability, with an average cost of drug and alcohol rehab of $56,782 (without insurance).
- Medical detox is the most expensive, with an average cost of $139,988
- Long-term inpatient drug rehab in Missouri costs an average of $50,107
- Outpatient addiction treatment in Missouri costs an average of $8,326
- Outpatient methadone treatment is the most affordable, with an average cost of $7,397
The cost of care can range from very expensive care at a luxury treatment center to low-cost care at facilities that aim to serve people of all income levels. Your out-of-pocket expenses will depend on factors including:
Inpatient vs. outpatient rehab
Where the facility is located
Insurance plans accepted
Amenities and features (luxury vs. standard)
Length of stay
How to Find Free Drug Rehab Centers in Missouri
As of 2024, there were over 290 drug rehab facilities across the state of Missouri. These facilities accept several payment methods. Of those treatment facilities, the following numbers reflect how many offer free or low-cost addiction treatment services:
261 accept self-payment or cash
216 offer sliding-scale fees for those without insurance
191 accept Medicaid insurance coverage
123 accept state funded insurance coverage
204 accept private health insurance
168 offer free or low-cost treatment
5 offer free treatment for all clients
10 accept tribal funding
There are several ways to cover the cost of your addiction treatment in Kansas. The below options can help make your care more affordable.
Major Private Insurance Carriers in Missouri
- Aetna
- Allied National
- Ambetter Health
- Beacon Health Options
- Blue Cross /Blue Shield
- Cigna
- Cox Health Plans
- Farmers Insurance
- Humana
- Medica
- Missouri Farm Bureau
- New Directions Behavioral Health
- Oscar Insurance
- State Farm
- United Healthcare
Medicaid
Federally funded Medicaid insurance in Missouri is administered by the Missouri HealthNet
Division, a part of the Missouri Department of Social Services.
Medicaid programs include substance abuse treatment that may provide services including detox, medication-assisted treatment, crisis care, inpatient/residential treatment, outpatient addiction treatment (both intensive outpatient and regular outpatient services), 12-step and other faith-based programs, gender-specific programs, LGBTQ+ programs, and specialized addiction treatment programs for women who are pregnant or who have young children.
Services vary by facility, and all options may not be available at a particular facility.You should check with your insurance provider to find out which facilities and programs would be available to you through your plan.
Medicare and Medicare Advantage
Medicare and Medicare Advantage insurance plans in Missouri cover mental health and will typically cover substance abuse treatment for those who are diagnosed with a substance abuse disorder. Services vary by plan, but they often include detox, medication assisted treatment, inpatient or residential care, outpatient treatment (partial hospitalization programs, or PHPs, and intensive outpatient programs, or IOPs), as well as regular outpatient treatment Individual, group, and family counseling.
Diagnostic psychiatric evaluations and psychological assessments, plus medication management are also often covered. It is important to check with your insurance provider, however, and ask about the details of your specific insurance plan’s addiction treatment coverage. Some policies limit the number of inpatient days they’ll pay for. Other fees, such as deductibles and copays, may apply as well.
Military Insurance
Insurances that are typically available to current military personnel and retired military veterans include TriCare insurance and benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. TriCare insurance offers addiction treatment coverage for military personnel who have been diagnosed with substance use disorder.
Services provided may include residential or inpatient care, opioid addiction treatment with detox and medication assisted treatment as necessary, outpatient treatment, including intensive outpatient programs, and partial hospitalization programs, as well as regular outpatient treatment. Policies vary, so the kinds of treatment services offered could differ, and some services won’t be available at all facilities. Also, insurance policies may place time limitations on certain services, such as inpatient care.
The Department of Veterans Affairs addiction and substance abuse treatment benefits available to military veterans in Missouri are offered through the VA Substance Use Disorder program. This program provides inpatient and residential treatment, as well as outpatient treatment, and opioid treatment services. But the services available do vary by state VA SUD facility locations. You can find a list of Missouri VA clinics that offer SUD programs on their website.
Tribal and Indigenous Peoples’ Programs
There are no federally recognized Native American tribes or federally funded Indian reservations in the state of Missouri. But the state does have a Native American population that is about 0.4% of the overall population. Substance abuse treatment for this population can be accessed at the Urban Indian Organization facility in Kansas, City Missouri that provides substance abuse counseling and emergency assistance services (food baskets, hygiene and household items, for example) for the American Indian population in that area.
There are 41 Urban Indian Organizations with 70 facilities throughout the United States. They provide access to health care and culturally appropriate services for American Indians and Alaska Native people who don’t live on or near a reservation. They administer health programs and activities that are in compliance with the Indian Health Care Improvement Act of 2010, that encourages support for Indian health services for Indian people who would otherwise not have access to culturally responsive treatment.
Other Low-Cost Options
Financial Assistance
To access assistance in financing your substance abuse rehab treatment, you could take out a loan from a bank, or borrow from a family member or friend. You could also solicit funding assistance via a social media platform, like GoFundMe.
This online platform helps people raise money for their projects and personal needs. Alternately, if you belong to a group that often faces discrimination– a racial minority group, or the LGBTQ+ community, for instance–check out organizations that support such groups. Sometimes these groups’ advocacy organizations have scholarships available that can help pay for substance abuse treatment for people who are members of their communities.
Sliding Scale Payments
Many rehab facilities offer reduced fee payment options. Sliding scale payment programs that are based on income help potential clients who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford treatment at a facility. If your income falls below the federal poverty level, you could receive the maximum fee reduction available at a facility.
But drug rehab costs vary significantly; for instance, luxury facilities cost much more than state-funded facilities. So even receiving a discounted fee wouldn’t guarantee that a specific facility would be affordable for you.
Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
The Family Medical Leave Act of 1993 gives job security to employees who take leave from their workplace for mental health reasons, such as seeking substance abuse treatment.
With FMLA, an employee can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave within a 12-month period, without losing their job. During the leave time, an employer must continue maintaining the employee’s health insurance benefits.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Block Grants
Block grants are provided to every state by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. These grants can be used by local government and non-governmental organizations for funding programs including detox, crisis services, inpatient and residential substance abuse treatment, outpatient substance abuse treatment, and supportive social services. 10
In Missouri, the Department of Mental Health uses SAMHSA block grants to provide funding for substance abuse and mental health prevention programs, addiction treatment, and substance abuse aftercare services. Priority is given to pregnant women and people who are HIV positive. Ask any rehabs that you are considering whether they might have SAMHSA grants available to help pay for your treatment.
Resources
- Opioids Dashboard | Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services. (2020). Mo.gov.
- America’s Health Rankings. (2021). Non-Medical Drug Use – Past Year In Missouri.
- Missouri Department of Mental Health. (2022). Services and Resources.
- American Psychiatric Association. (2021). What are Anxiety Disorders?
- MO-HOPE Project. (2022). Get Naloxone.
