Expert Insights
People want to visit Las Vegas, whether it’s for the shows, the buffets, the casinos, or a myriad of other entertainment reasons. As a substance abuse counselor, I work with my patients in Continuing Care to create a recovery-related plan when they’re getting ready to visit Las Vegas.
For example, we would research 12-step meetings ahead of time and call the area’s office to make sure the meeting list was up-to-date. I would also make sure not to sugarcoat the importance of sticking to the recovery plan.
Alcohol use is generally higher per person in Nevada than in most other states. For example, data from Landmark Recovery indicated that in 2019, alcohol-impaired driving led to the deaths of 92 people in Nevada. This represents 30.3% of driving fatalities. The alcohol-related death rate in The Silver State is 17.1 per 100,000 individuals, which is much higher than the national average of 12.6 per 100,000 individuals.
So, if you are a person in recovery from alcohol or substances, pack your recovery toolkit along with your suitcase when you plan a trip to “the Strip.
~ Shaweta “Shay” Vasudeva, MA
How Much Does Drug Rehab Cost in Nevada?
Nevada is ranked 47th nationwide in terms of addiction treatment affordability, with an average cost of drug and alcohol rehab of $62,530 (without insurance).
- Medical detox is the most expensive, with an average cost of $154,159
- Long-term inpatient drug rehab in Nevada costs an average of $55,179
- Outpatient addiction treatment in Nevada costs an average of $9,169
- Outpatient methadone treatment is the most affordable, with an average cost of $8,146
The exact cost of drug rehab in Nevada will vary based on several factors. These factors include the type of facilities available and the type of program that suits your individual needs. The best way to estimate future costs is to think about the following:
The type of treatment program you’ll need (inpatient vs. outpatient care)
The type of facility, as in luxury-style accommodations or basic amenities.
The duration of treatment (this could be anywhere from 30 to 90 days)
Your insurance policy or lack thereof
Choosing a facility in-network with health insurance provider
Whether you’re eligible for special financing
The location of the facility or detox center
How to Pay for Drug Rehab in Nevada
As of 2024, there were over 120 drug rehab facilities across the state of Nevada. These facilities accept several payment methods. Of those treatment facilities, the following numbers reflect how many accept their respective payment methods:
92 accept self-payment or cash
59 offer sliding-scale fees for those without insurance
89 accept Medicaid insurance coverage
44 accept state funded insurance coverage
77 accept private health insurance
58 offer free or low-cost treatment
4 offer free treatment for all clients
26 accept tribal funding
Private Pay and Insurance
Most people use health insurance to pay for drug and alcohol rehab. If you have health insurance, your plan may cover addiction treatment. Some plans make it easy to check what they cover online, but you may have to call and ask.
If you don’t have health insurance but make too much to get Medicaid, you might be able to get a discount on your insurance premiums. People making up to 400% of the federal poverty level can qualify for a discount if they reside in Nevada. The way to get subsidized health insurance is to apply through Nevada Health Link. These are some of the most common health plans in Nevada:
- SelectHealth
- Hometown Health
- Molina Healthcare
- Imperial Health Plan
- Aetna CVS
- Health Plan of Nevada
- Ambetter – Silver Summit
- Anthem Nevada
Medicaid
Medicaid is the health insurance program for people with low income. To qualify for Medicaid in Nevada you need to make 138% of the federal poverty level. If you’re pregnant, you can qualify if you make up to 165% of the federal poverty level. Your children may be able to get Medicaid even if you can’t. If they’re under the age of 19, they can get Medicaid if your family income is 205% of the poverty level. Apply for Medicaid through Access Nevada.
Medicare
Medicare is a federal health insurance program. If you’re over 65 or disabled you might be eligible to sign up. You can sign up for it directly through the federal government or you can get a commercially managed plan. Commercially managed plans are also known as Medicare Advantage plans. Medicare Advantage plans usually make you stay within a provider network, so if you’re thinking of using a Medicare Advantage plan to pay for addiction care, check what’s available in your network.
Military benefits
If you serve or have served in the Armed Forces you likely have some form of military health care benefits. If you get health care from the VA system, you can get addiction care there too. They have a full range of substance abuse services including residential rehab and methadone.
Family members of veterans may have CHAMPVA benefits. Those will cover you at some VA hospitals and some services that take Tricare, but you will want to check first. If you have Tricare you can get services anywhere within their network. Nevada is part of Tricare West.
Native American and tribal benefits
If you’re a member of a federally recognized tribe, you can get free outpatient services at one of the five IHS clinics serving Native Americans within the region. These clinics integrate addiction treatment into their clinics. If you need residential treatment, they may refer you out, but they will be able to make an assessment about what program might best fit your needs and refer you there.
Other low-cost options
Addiction treatment centers that are not for profit need to show that they benefit the community to earn their tax exempt status. They may have funding available that isn’t advertised, so these are good places to call and ask about scholarship options. Some religious organizations sponsor faith based addiction rehab that is free.
Resources
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2021, November 10).Mental Health and Substance Use Insurance Help
- Access Nevada: “https://accessnevada.dwss.nv.gov/
- Nevada Medicaid Brochure: https://dwss.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/dwssnvgov/content/Home/Features/Forms/Peace%20of%20Mind%20Brochure%204-22%20ADA.pdf
- Tricare West: https://www.tricare-west.com/content/hnfs/home/tw.html
- Native American/Tribal Health: https://www.nevada211.org/native-american-services/indian-health-service-clinics/
