Expert Insights
Through my work as an addiction counselor in telehealth and inpatient rehab settings, I often support residents of New Mexico in their pursuit of sobriety.
However, securing their outpatient transitional services after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation presents significant challenges. The barrier of limited in person resources tends to leave those in recovery vulnerable to a cycle of substance abuse.
Unfortunately, the fentanyl crisis worsens overdose rates in New Mexico. In fact, there were 2.7 million fentanyl pills seized in Albuquerque alone during a recent record breaking drug bust, according to the US Attorney’s Office. Transitional telehealth services have become essential in bridging care gaps and supporting long term recovery for those affected.
~ Naya M.
How Much Does Drug Rehab Cost in New Mexico?
New Mexico is ranked 39th nationwide in terms of addiction treatment affordability, with an average cost of drug and alcohol rehab of $57,989 (without insurance).
- Medical detox is the most expensive, with an average cost of $142,964
- Long-term inpatient drug rehab in New Mexico costs an average of $51,172
- Outpatient addiction treatment in New Mexico costs an average of $8,503
- Outpatient methadone treatment is the most affordable, with an average cost of $7,555
The cost of rehabilitation consists of various factors, such as:
Whether the program is inpatient or outpatient
Features and amenities (luxury or standard facility)
The length of treatment
Your health insurance plan
Whether the facility or detox center accepts your insurance
The geographic location
Paying For Addiction Treatment in New Mexico
As of 2024, there were over 180 drug rehab facilities across the state of New Mexico. These facilities accept several payment methods. Of those treatment facilities, the following numbers reflect how many drug rehabs offer free or low-cost treatment programs:
132 accept self-payment or cash
89 offer sliding-scale fees for those without insurance
143 accept Medicaid insurance coverage
107 accept state funded insurance coverage
126 accept private health insurance
106 offer free or low-cost treatment
7 offer free treatment for all clients
48 accept tribal funding
State-funded facilities utilize public resources to provide help to those in need. Organizations like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offer block grants to addiction treatment centers across the country to facilitate low-income programs. You can find places that offer sliding-scales fees as well as scholarships, thanks to these grants.
If you don’t qualify for Medicaid, you may be able to get treatment through your health insurance. If you don’t have insurance, you may be able to qualify for financial aid at some rehab centers. Some places also charge their fees on an income based sliding scale.
If you have little money, no insurance, and no way to get insurance, there are some addiction treatment centers that provide totally free care or don’t bar people from treatment if they have no way to pay for it.
Self Pay and Private Insurance
Most people pay for care at drug rehab centers in New Mexico through their health insurance. Some may also pay out of pocket. Many people get health insurance either through their employer, Medicaid or Medicare. If you can’t get insurance from any of these options, then one place where you can get private insurance is by going through BeWell New Mexico. This is New Mexico’s health insurance marketplace. If you qualify for health insurance subsidies through the Affordable Care Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, the BeWell Marketplace is where you’ll find them. If you don’t meet the citizenship requirement for Medicaid, you might be able to get major subsidies by using BeWell New Mexico.
Medicaid
If you have Medicaid in New Mexico, you have coverage for addiction treatment. The Medicaid program in New Mexico is also known as Centennial Care. New Mexico is one of the states that approved Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. In expanding Medicaid, more people are able to qualify for it than before the expansion.
There are a number of considerations, but if your household makes less than 138% of the federal poverty level, you may be eligible. Children and pregnant women can have higher household incomes and still qualify. You can apply through the YesNM Portal.
Medicare
Most people who are over 65 or disabled are eligible for Medicare5. Medicare is a federal health insurance program designed to cover people who are retired or who can’t work due to a disability. It covers addiction treatment.
You can either have traditional Medicare that is offered directly by the federal government, or you can get a Medicare Advantage plan that is administered by a private health insurer. Medicare Advantage plans must cover the same services as traditional Medicare, but they can impose a network. If you’re considering a Medicare Advantage plan and suspect that you’ll need addiction treatment, check that the company you’re considering has substance use treatment providers in its network.
Military Insurance
People who are serving or who have served in the armed forces may get health benefits as a result of their service. If this is your situation, these health benefits usually cover addiction treatment. There are a few different types of military health insurance benefits and they differ in how they cover it.
If you get health care through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, then you can also get addiction treatment through them. Their addiction services are comprehensive and include every level of care from outpatient to residential.
If you get your benefits through TRICARE, they also cover substance use treatment, but operate more like an insurance company. You will need to find services through a provider in their network. In New Mexico, the network that serves you is TRICARE West.
One more military health benefits provider is the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veteran Affairs, or CHAMPVA. They also cover addiction treatment, but how you would access it depends on a few different factors. Some VA health centers also care for people with CHAMPVA benefits, so you may be able to get your care at a VA.
If you’re already getting your medical care at a VA then you may be able to get your substance use treatment there too. Additionally, many providers that are in network for TRICARE will also cover people with CHAMPVA benefits, but you will need to verify that they do.
Tribal Funding for Addiction Treatment
Native Americans who live in New Mexico have access to free services at Indian Health Service clinics. These clinics can be a good starting point because they often have outpatient substance use treatment services and case managers that can connect you with community supports.
In addition to these free services, you may also be able to get free or heavily discounted health insurance if you’re a member of a federally recognized tribe.10 Health insurance supplements the free care you already receive through the IHS and doesn’t stop you from continuing to see your providers there. With insurance, you can get access to additional addiction treatment services that are covered by your health insurer. You can find insurance plans for Native Americans at the BeWell New Mexico Health Insurance Marketplace.
Other Low-Cost Options
Not for profit hospitals and addiction treatment centers may be able to give you financial aid or a discounted rate if you ask about it. Community health case managers may know about affordable or free resources that are specific to the county you live in. There are also faith based addiction centers that help people stop using drugs through worship and Bible study. These programs are sometimes free.
Resources
- New Mexico Department of Health. (2021). Drug Overdose in NM Factsheet March 2021
- National Library of Health. (2022). Substance Abuse: Clinical Issues in Intensive Outpatient Treatment. Chapter 3. Intensive Outpatient Treatment and the Continuum of Care.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2022). Methadone.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2022). Antabuse.
- New Mexico Department of Workforce Development. (2022). New Mexico Paid Sick Leave.
