Expert Insights
As someone who studied social work and worked at the heart of mental health crisis work, it does not make sense to me that Kent City Council passed an ordinance prohibiting the possession of drugs.
I believe that instead of increasing the criminalization of possession — from a misdemeanor to a gross misdemeanor — we should be putting money towards harm reduction efforts like they’re doing in the neighboring state, Oregon.
You cannot prosecute someone who has died from an overdose, but you can provide harm reduction supplies, reduce the spread of infection, and provide healthcare — all services that have been shown to increase people seeking recovery.
~ Olivia Pennelle
Paying for Alcohol and Drug Rehab in Kent
Costs of rehab can vary depending on your needs and preferences, such as short-term or long-term programs, what types of amenities are included, and the level of support received. If you are among the millions of Americans that don’t have access to employer or state-funded health insurance, there are still plenty of options for you in Washington. In addition to low-income and free rehabs such as:
- The Salvation Army
- Alternative Counseling
- Services through the King County Behavioral Health and Recovery Division
Scholarships might be available through private and state-funded programs, though they are usually reserved for those with the most severe need. If you have no other way to pay for addiction treatment, you can ask a facility you have your eye on, you might be surprised who has a scholarship fund available.
Medical loans are another way to pay for care, which might be found independently or offered through the center’s financing department. You can find out if a Kent drug rehab offers payment plans or other financing options by calling and asking the admissions team.
Private and Subsidized Health Insurance
If you have health insurance coverage through your employer or purchased coverage off the open marketplace, you can generally use that coverage to pay for drug rehab in Kent. Insurance companies that serve Washington, such as Kaiser, Regence BlueShield, PacificSource Health Plans, and Providence Health Plan, all have different policies and fees. Call your insurance provider by dialing the customer service number on the back of your card. They’ll be able to answer questions about rehabilitation, what services they pay for, and give you a referral to your nearest in-network addiction treatment program.
Medicare and Apple Health, Washington’s Medicaid program, provide payment for addiction services, including:
- Outpatient
- Detox programs
- Inpatient, to an extent
- Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs)
- Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs)
- Standard outpatient programs (SOPs)
- Aftercare and case management services
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
- Online consultations and telehealth services
To qualify for these free health insurance programs, you must either be very low-income or be above age 65 or disabled. Each program has different requirements and coverage limitations, so make sure to learn about what your plan would be able to cover before signing up for any program that needs your health insurance coverage.
Speak with your nearest health and human services agency to get screened and apply for Medicare or Apple Health. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) keeps track of certified programs and shows there are 17 accredited alcohol and drug rehabs in Kent, at least six of which offer some sort of financial assistance — whether it’s a sliding fee scale or a scholarship.
Resources
- Washington Healthcare Authority. (2022). Ricky’s Law Involuntary Treatment Act.
- King County Hospitals for a Healthier Community. (2022). King County Community Health Needs Assessment.
- King County, WA. (2022). Overdose deaths.
- Center for Disease Control. (2022). CDC Wonder Tool.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (June 2021). 2019 TEDS Annual Report.
