Alcohol and Drug Stats in Billings
Many people in Billings, MT, suffer from alcohol and drug abuse problems. Here are some drug and alcohol use statistics for people 12 years and older in the Montana region that includes Billings and Yellowstone County for 2016–2018:3
About 45 female offenders in Billings received drug and alcohol rehab services in 2015, with an average treatment cost of $5,515.5
In 2017, about 23% of high school children in the Billings metropolitan area reported they had been offered, sold, or given drugs.4
About 21% binged on alcohol in the past month.
Close to 4% misused pain relievers in the past year.
About 49% used alcohol in the past month.
Close to 17% used marijuana in the past year.
Less than 1% used heroin in the past year.
Almost 2% used cocaine in the past year.
Financing Alcohol and Drug Rehab in Billings, MT
Drug and alcohol misuse treatment and therapy can be costly. However, high rehab costs shouldn’t create barriers to receiving quality care in Billings, Montana. There are many funding options for people with low income in Billings, including the following:
Find a Program That Offers Payment Plans: Some facilities may offer a payment plan to those who do not have enough money to cover the cost of rehab all at once. This will help you pay off the costs that fall to you after insurance pays its share. The facility will create a payment schedule so you can spread payments out over time. You may have to make a deposit or a large partial payment before beginning treatment. Some facilities charge interest on delayed payment plans.
Rehab Scholarship: Some rehab programs offer rehab scholarships or grants to people with low income or who lack resources. If eligible, you can expect at least some of the cost of drug and alcohol use treatment to be covered by a rehab scholarship.6 These programs may have certain stipulations associated with the scholarship. For example, some programs may withdraw their funding if you decide to end treatment early.6 You can end up paying for the entire cost if you leave early.
State-funded rehabs: State-funded rehabs use government funds to deliver low-cost and free drug and alcohol treatment to residents of Montana who don’t have insurance. The Addictive and Mental Disorders Division (AMDD) of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services administers state-funded drug and alcohol treatment, prevention, and rehabilitation services.7 You can locate an AMDD-affiliated licensed rehab center to obtain free or low-cost state-funded rehab for long-term or short-term treatment.
State-funded drug rehab centers in Billings and nearby communities within 25 miles include the following:
- Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Community Based Services
- Ideal Options Billings
- Rimrock Foundation
Private Insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid
Numerous rehab centers in Billings and nearby communities accept private health insurance plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Aetna, and others. You can expect to pay a significantly smaller rehab fee when you use your insurance plan to pay for treatment. The amount you pay will depend on your plan and the insurance company.
Medicare and Medicaid are government insurance plans that cover at least some of your rehab costs. However, not all rehab centers accept government insurance, so you’ll need to contact the provider to determine if your government plan is accepted. You may be eligible for Medicare if you are older than 65, have ESRD, and ALS. You can expect Medicare to cover the following rehab services in Yellowstone County:8
- Opioid addiction treatment
- Alcohol misuse screenings
- Inpatient treatment
- Outpatient rehab
- Telehealth
- Partial hospitalization
- Group and individual therapy
- Medication-assisted treatment
Similar to Medicare, Medicaid provides low-cost health insurance coverage for people with low income or who lack financial resources. However, Medicaid coverage varies in each state, and eligibility is not based on age. You can sign up for Medicaid at any time because there is no enrollment period. Your income and the number of people in your family are used to determine Medicaid eligibility.6 Medicaid may not cover all rehab services. The following services are offered through Medicaid:9
- Outpatient therapy
- Medication management
- Program for Assertive Community Treatment (PACT)
- Day treatment
- Group home services
- Project for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness
You can expect to obtain funding to support your recovery journey without breaking your budget.
Is it Easy to Travel to and Within Billings, MT?
You may need local information about Billings, MT, before your trip to visit a loved one or to receive rehab treatment. You can make the most of your stay in Billings if you know where to stay, how to get around, and fun activities to do. If you prefer to fly to Billings, there are several airports to choose from, such as Billings Logan International Airport, Wilcox Airport, Skywagon Ranch Airport, and Haynes Ranch Airport. If you already live near Billings, you can search “drug rehabs” or “alcohol rehabs” to figure out best options for travel and routes.
Traveling within Billings does not have to be a hassle. Once you arrive in Billings, you can use the Met Transit system to travel within the city. Alternatively, you can rent a car and use the extensive road networks to explore the Billings metropolitan area and neighboring communities. The variety of travel options within the city will make it easy for you to run errands and make the most of your stay in Billings.
You have plenty of hotel locations to choose from in Billings that will place you in close proximity to the scenic Yellowstone River, rimrocks, the surrounding mountains, and the prairies of Montana. There are plenty of recreational activities in nature for you to enjoy if you are the outdoorsy type. The semi-arid climate of Billings makes outdoor activities a pleasant experience.
Resources
- Laws. (n.d.). Good Samaritan Protections.
- Montana Judicial Branch. (n.d.). History of the Montana Treatment Courts.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). National Survey on Drug Use and Health: 2016-2018 Model-Based Substate Estimates for Montana.
- Fonte, N., & Trad, A. (2019). Billings Metro VISTA Project Methamphetamine & Opioid Response Initiative: A community Assessment.
- Montana Department of Justice. (n.d.). Substance Use in Montana.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2019). Paying for treatment: If you don’t have insurance.
- Montana.gov. (n.d.). Addictive & Mental Disorders Division.
- Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Mental health & substance use disorder services.
- AMDD/Mental Health Bureau. (2019, February 12). Montana Mental Health Centers.