Expert Insights
I recently learned that a street outreach program used in New York City is being implemented in Syracuse, and I couldn’t be more supportive.
Onondaga County has used some of the money from opioid lawsuits and awarded $3.7 million to six organizations for outreach and addiction treatment efforts. The money will be used towards medication-assisted treatment, harm reduction services, street outreach, increased access to Narcan and drug testing kits, and drug prevention in schools.
I think it’s a great idea that the money is being spent in these specific and meaningful ways because if we don’t reduce harm, we don’t have a chance of saving a life. By just pushing recovery and abstinence programs, we run the risk of not meeting people where they are at and that’d be dangerous, because of fentanyl infiltrating the drug supply.
People who take drugs need to be supported, not criminalized. And when accessing harm reduction services, people struggling with addiction are more likely to enter recovery.
~ Nikki Seay
Cost of Drug Rehab in Syracuse, NY
The price of drug rehab in Syracuse, NY, varies, due to the following factors:
- Treatment setting – Inpatient settings are more expensive than outpatient settings, due to the 24/7 care provided.
- Treatment location – Rural locations are typically more affordable than urban areas. Highly desirable areas usually cost more as well.
- Features and amenities – If a program offers more features or luxury amenities, it costs more. Some facilities include very high-end amenities that greatly increase the cost of treatment.
- Duration of program – Longer programs cost more. Typical drug rehabs in Syracuse, NY, last for 30, 60, or 90 days.
- Health insurance coverage – Insurance often covers treatment costs, but coverage varies by provider and plan.
While costs vary throughout Syracuse and the state, in New York, the average cost of outpatient rehab is $1,706. For inpatient treatment, the average cost in New York is $56,653. Based on national averages for medication assisted treatment, Syracuse residents can expect to pay around $126 per week for methadone, $155 per week for buprenorphine, and $1,177 per month for Naltrexone.
How to Pay for Treatment in Syracuse, NY
Private Insurance
Coverage varies by provider and plan, but all insurance carriers must cover substance abuse treatment to some extent.
Medicaid
New York’s Medicaid program provides health coverage to lower-income residents of Syracuse. These services include coverage for substance abuse treatment.
Medicare
Medicare is the federal health insurance program that covers individuals 65 or older or who have certain disabilities. Many Medicare plans are available, and most include coverage for drug rehab in Syracuse, NY.
Sliding Scale Payment Options
These programs allow you to pay only what you can afford based on your income. You must provide proof of income to qualify.
TRICARE Insurance
TRICARE provides health insurance coverage for active-duty service members, retirees, and their family members. This military-personnel coverage includes drug rehab in Syracuse, NY.
IHS-Funded Drug Rehabs
Through IHS (Indian Health Service), American Indians and Alaska Natives can receive low-cost or no-cost drug rehab in Syracuse, NY.
Making Drug and Alcohol Rehab More Affordable
If drug rehab in Syracuse, NY, feels out of reach financially, try the following options to reduce the cost.
Choose a Program Offering Payment Plans
Payment plans allow you to work with the facility to pay for your treatment in small weekly or monthly increments.
Apply for a Rehab Scholarship
Scholarships for drug rehab in Syracuse, NY, are often available through treatment facilities, corporations, and non-profit organizations.
Ask About Sliding Scale Payment Options
While not always heavily advertised by facilities, this option is often available. It allows you to pay only what you can afford for treatment, based on your income.
Resources
- Provisional County Drug Overdose Deaths. (2022, February 8). National Center for Health Statistics.
- U.S. County Opioid Dispensing Rates, 2020. (2021, October 5). Drug Overdose | CDC Injury Center.
- jmulder @syracuse.com, J. T. M. |. (2022, August 3). Onondaga County sees 14 opioid overdoses in one day. Spike linked to fentanyl. Syracuse.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021). How much does opioid treatment cost? National Institute on Drug Abuse.
- Scott, M. (2023, March 1). The city of Syracuse records more than 40 overdoses this week from new drug, xylazine. WSTM.
