Expert Insights
As a social worker, I have cared for many clients in the criminal justice system. Oftentimes, their charges are a result of being under the influence or having an extensive history of substance use.
In a lot of cases, these clients have never been given the chance to receive treatment outside of jail for their substance use or co-occurring disorders.
In South Carolina, they have started to implement different programs to help reduce recidivism and give people a chance. South Carolina’s probation and parole division offers a sentencing reform program. They also have other statewide programs that do similar things but offer different approaches both therapeutic and non-therapeutic.
It’s my hope that these programs can make a powerful difference in the lives of people who are fighting lifelong battles with addiction.
~ Geordyn Houston, LMSW
How Much Does Drug Rehab Cost in South Carolina?
South Carolina is ranked 37th nationwide in terms of addiction treatment affordability, with an average cost of drug and alcohol rehab of $57,774 (without insurance).
- Medical detox is the most expensive, with an average cost of $142,434
- Long-term inpatient drug rehab in South Carolina costs an average of $50,982
- Outpatient addiction treatment in South Carolina costs an average of $8,471
- Outpatient methadone treatment is the most affordable, with an average cost of $7,527
The cost of rehab can vary, depending on the type of rehab you choose and the facility you attend. Your out-of-pocket costs could be very high if you go to a luxury facility, or you could find a treatment program with low costs. Some things that affect rehab expenses include:
Whether you go to an inpatient or outpatient program
If the facility has luxury amenities or special services
The duration of treatment.
If your insurance plan covers some or all of the costs
Where the rehab is located
Residential rehab or inpatient rehab is usually more expensive than an outpatient program. Inpatient includes the costs of living at the facility, medical costs, as well as addiction treatment services. Outpatient programs cost less because you are only paying for therapy.
Paying for Addiction Treatment in South Carolina
Major Private Insurance Carriers in South Carolina:
- Aetna
- Allstate Health Solutions
- Ambetter /Absolute Total Care
- Blue Choice Health Plan of South Carolina
- BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
- Cigna Health Care of South Carolina
- Coventry Health Care of the Carolinas
- Humana
- Molina
- Select Health of South Carolina
- UnitedHealthcare
- US Health Group
- ValuePenguin
Medicaid
Healthy Connections is the name for Medicaid insurance in South Carolina. Medicaid substance abuse treatment coverage usually includes services like detox, medication assisted treatment (MAT), crisis care, inpatient or residential treatment, various outpatient options, 12 Step and faith-based programs, and LGBTQ programs.However, not all services are available at every facility.You should always check with your insurance provider to ask which facilities and programs would be covered through your specific Medicaid insurance plan, and what additional costs or copays might apply.
Medicare and Medicare Advantage
Medicare and Medicare Advantage insurance plans in South Carolina provide coverage for mental health, plus substance abuse treatment if the person is diagnosed with a substance abuse disorder (SUD). Substance abuse services vary by plan, but most often include detox, with MAT as needed, residential or inpatient care, and outpatient treatment.
Individual, group, and family counseling are covered, and medication management, along with diagnostic psychiatric evaluations or psychological assessments, may be included. But be sure you check with your insurance provider to find out the details of your plan’s addiction treatment coverage. Policies often place limits on the number of residential or inpatient hospitalization days they will cover. Fees may apply as well, such as deductibles and copays.
Military Insurance
Insurances that are typically available to active military personnel and military veterans are TRICARE insurance and the insurance benefits provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs, commonly called the VA. TRICARE covers substance abuse treatment for their members who have been diagnosed with an SUD. Covered services usually include inpatient or residential care, treatment for opioid addiction–detox and MAT–plus outpatient treatment options.
The services available vary according to individual policies. So, some services won’t be available at every facility, and some policies will have limitations on certain services, like the number of inpatient or residential treatment days covered.
The VA’s addiction and substance abuse treatment services for South Carolina military veterans are provided by the federal VA SUD program. This program offers inpatient treatment and outpatient treatment, as well as specialized opioid treatment. The services available will vary according to specific VA SUD facility locations. You can find a list of South Carolina VA clinics that have SUD programs at their state directory.
Tribal and Indigenous Peoples’ Programs
The only federally recognized American Indian reservation in the state of South Carolina is the Catawba Indian Nation. There are also members and descendants from other Indian tribes, however, especially the Cherokee, who live in South Carolina. The lower Eastern Cherokee Nation of South Carolina is recognized as a tribe by the state, but not by the federal government.
The U.S. Indian Health Service maintains just one clinic facility in South Carolina: the Catawba Service Unit in Rock Hill. They may provide substance abuse treatment. They’re an outpatient clinic that offers medical and dental treatment, and through partnerships with other community organizations, offer mental health and counseling services, including telehealth behavioral health services. You can call the Catawba Service Unit at 803-366-9090 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
Another source for mental health and substance abuse counseling for South Carolina Native Americans can be found at community mental health centers that are sponsored by the U.S. Department of Human Services. The Human Services department oversees clinics called Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) that provide services to underserved communities throughout the U.S.
These can include American Indian communities that don’t have Indian Health Service facilities. FQHCs accept Medicaid as insurance.Go to the FQHC website and use the search box to type the state’s name. This will bring up contact information for FQHC clinics located in South Carolina counties.
Other Low-Cost Options
Financial Assistance
You might be able to finance your substance abuse rehab treatment by taking out a loan from a bank, a friend, or a family member. You could also try to solicit funds on a social media platform such as GoFundMe. This online platform helps people raise money for projects or personal needs.
If you are part of a community that faces discrimination, such as a racial minority group or the LGBTQ+ community, you might be able to get funding from organizations that serve these communities. Some advocacy organizations offer scholarships to help pay for addiction treatment for individuals who’re associated with their underserved groups.
Sliding Scale Payments
Many rehab facilities offer reduced fees or sliding fee payment structures to potential clients who, without their financial help, wouldn’t be able to access treatment at their facility. If your income is below the federal poverty level, you may be able to receive the maximum fee reduction offered at a rehab facility. But remember, substance abuse rehab treatment programs vary greatly in cost.
For instance, luxury rehabs are much more expensive than state-funded facilities. So, even if you are offered a substantial fee discount, that still won’t be a guarantee that a particular rehab will be affordable for you.
Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Since enactment of the 1993 Family Medical Leave Act, job security has been guaranteed to employees who take leave from their workplace for mental health reasons, such as accessing addiction treatment. Thanks to FMLA, you can take unpaid leave time for up to 12 weeks, in any 12-month period, without the risk of losing your job. During your leave time, your employer is required to continue maintaining your health insurance benefits.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Block Grants
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA, gives block grants to every state. These grants are designated for use by local government or non-governmental organizations to pay for services including mental health crisis services, inpatient or residential or treatment, and outpatient addiction services.
In South Carolina, the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services uses federal SAMHSA block grants to help fund addiction prevention services, substance abuse treatment, and support for addiction recovery. Ask the rehabs that you’re considering if they have SAMHSA grants that can help you pay for treatment at their facility.
Resources
- America’s Health Rankings. (2021). Non-Medical Drug Use – Past Year In South Carolina.
- Challenges Inc. (2024). Harm reduction services https://challengesinc.org/ https://challengesinc.org/
- Healthy Connections Medicaid. (2024). Healthy connections is South Carolina’s Medicaid program. https://www.scdhhs.gov/
- Healthy Connections Medicaid. (2024). Updated Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services: rate increases.https://www.scdhhs.gov/search?s=substance+abuse+
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2024). FQHCs by State. https://data.hrsa.gov/data/reports/datagrid?gridName=FQHCs
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (2024).South Carolina: Substance use disorder (SUD) program. https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/state_SUD.cfm?STATE=SC
