Expert Insights
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently established a national research network meant to evaluate harm reduction services. This new network includes nine research studies, one of which will be conducted at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
The University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Medicine and Public Health’s Dr. Ryan Westergaard will head up a team of researchers to test the effectiveness of remote tools like overdose prevention hotlines and secure smartphone applications designed to improve access to harm reduction services in urban and rural regions of Wisconsin.
How We Rank Listings
Every listing in our Madison directory is scored using a multi-factor system that weighs accreditation, licensing, range of services, and available payment options. Accreditation by bodies such as The Joint Commission or CARF signals that a facility meets independently verified standards for clinical quality and safety. We also consider the number of treatment levels a program offers, whether it treats co-occurring mental health conditions alongside substance use disorders, and how many payment pathways are accepted. Facilities that serve specific populations, including veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals, or young adults, receive credit for that breadth of care. Listings are reviewed periodically as facility status, services, and payment information change. If you believe a listing contains inaccurate information, use the report tool on any facility page.
Rehab in Madison: What to Know
Madison is the capital of Wisconsin and the seat of Dane County, with a metro-area population of roughly 680,000. As home to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, several major health systems, and a large state-government workforce, the city has an unusually strong healthcare foundation for its size. That foundation extends to addiction treatment: 46 treatment facilities serve Dane County residents, covering everything from medically supervised detox and residential rehab to outpatient counseling and sober living.
Several providers anchor the local treatment network. Tellurian Behavioral Health operates a full continuum at its Femrite Drive campus, including medically monitored detox, residential treatment, day treatment, outpatient services, and medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. Journey Mental Health Center provides community-based addiction counseling and integrated co-occurring disorder care. UW Health, through its Compass Program, brings addiction medicine expertise tied to the university’s medical system. Together these providers and the broader facility network cover most of the evidence-based treatment options available today, with 32 of 46 programs equipped to address co-occurring mental health conditions alongside substance use.
Fentanyl has reshaped the substance use picture in Dane County over the past decade. Synthetic opioids have displaced heroin and prescription drugs as the primary driver of overdose deaths, and fentanyl now appears in the supply of cocaine and other stimulants as well. If opioid use disorder is part of the picture, Madison has several programs offering medication-assisted treatment using buprenorphine or methadone alongside behavioral therapy, and the Behavioral Health Resource Center (BHRC) at 608-267-2244 can help any resident navigate options at no charge, regardless of insurance status or income.
For adults without coverage or the means to pay privately, Dane County funds a limited number of residential treatment slots through its Human Services Department. The BHRC operates a walk-in assessment clinic that determines clinical and financial eligibility; people who qualify are referred directly to a residential program. Anyone experiencing a substance use or mental health crisis can call the Dane County 24/7 Emergency Crisis Line at 608-280-2600 at any hour.
How Much Does Rehab Cost in Madison?
Treatment costs in Madison generally follow Wisconsin state averages. No city-specific pricing data is publicly available for Madison, so the figures below represent statewide averages compiled from treatment provider data. Actual costs vary based on program length, facility type, level of care, and what services are included in an individual plan. Verifying your insurance benefits before admission is one of the most reliable ways to reduce out-of-pocket expenses; 39 of Madison’s 46 facilities accept private health insurance.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Rehab
For people comparing levels of care on cost, inpatient rehab delivers the most intensive clinical support at the highest price point, while outpatient programs can make sustained treatment financially realistic for people with work or family obligations. Insurance, BadgerCare Plus, and financial assistance programs can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs at either level.
How to Pay for Rehab in Madison
All 46 facilities in Madison’s directory accept at least one payment pathway, and most accept several. Self-payment, private insurance, BadgerCare Plus (Wisconsin’s Medicaid program), and Medicare are the most widely available options. The grid below shows how many facilities accept each type.
Medicare
Twenty Madison facilities accept Medicare, making it a meaningful option for older adults and people with qualifying disabilities. Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital-based substance use treatment, and Part B covers outpatient counseling and certain forms of medication-assisted treatment. Benefits under Medicare Advantage plans vary by carrier, so contacting a facility’s admissions team to confirm coverage before beginning treatment is a practical first step.
Medicaid (BadgerCare Plus)
Wisconsin’s Medicaid program is called BadgerCare Plus, and it covers a comprehensive range of substance use disorder services for eligible residents. Twenty-eight Madison facilities accept BadgerCare Plus, including programs offering medical detox, residential treatment, outpatient counseling, and medication-assisted treatment. Wisconsin expanded its BadgerCare Plus coverage to include residential SUD treatment in February 2021 through its federal 1115 waiver, and county prior authorization is no longer required for residential referrals under that benefit. If you already work with an outpatient provider, they can assess your clinical need and make a direct referral to a residential program covered through your BadgerCare Plus benefit.
TRICARE and Military Benefits
Eighteen Madison facilities accept TRICARE, reflecting the area’s significant veteran and active-duty population. TRICARE covers medically necessary substance use disorder treatment, including detox, inpatient rehab, and outpatient services. Veterans can also access the dedicated Addictive Disorders Treatment Program at William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, which is funded separately from TRICARE. Our guide to rehab resources for veterans and military families covers eligibility, VA programs, and how to access care.
Insurance and Private Pay
Thirty-nine Madison facilities accept private health insurance, covering most major plans available in Wisconsin. Under federal mental health parity law, insurers that cover substance use treatment must do so at the same level as other medical conditions. Common Wisconsin carriers accepted at treatment facilities include the following.
- Dean Health Plan
- Quartz Health Solutions
- WEA Trust
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
- UnitedHealthcare
- Aetna
- Molina Healthcare
- Humana
Sliding-Scale Fees and Financial Assistance
Eleven facilities offer sliding-scale fees based on income, and 21 offer some form of financial assistance. These programs are particularly relevant for people who earn too much to qualify for BadgerCare Plus but lack adequate private coverage. Nine facilities also offer financing arrangements, allowing treatment costs to be paid over time rather than upfront.
Free Treatment Programs
Five Madison facilities offer free treatment for all clients, typically supported by state and county grants. For people who do not qualify for free programs but face financial barriers, rehab scholarships can cover partial or full treatment costs at participating facilities nationwide.
Levels of Care Available in Madison
Madison’s 46 facilities cover a wide range of treatment intensities, from medically supervised detox through longer-term outpatient care and sober living. The directory includes 17 medical detox programs, 17 inpatient rehab programs, 2 partial hospitalization programs, 40 standard outpatient clinics, 32 dual diagnosis programs, and 3 sober living homes. No intensive outpatient programs (IOP) were reported among current Madison listings.
Medical Detox
For many people, medical detox is the first step. Seventeen Madison facilities offer medically supervised withdrawal management, where clinical staff monitor vital signs, manage symptoms, and prescribe medications when needed to reduce discomfort and reduce risk. Detox alone addresses physical dependence but is not a complete treatment for substance use disorder; it is a transition point into the next level of care.
Inpatient Rehab
Seventeen Madison programs offer inpatient or residential treatment, where clients live on-site and receive structured daily programming including individual therapy, group sessions, and skills-building activities. This level of care suits people who need 24-hour support, who are stepping down from detox, or who have not found success in less intensive settings. Program lengths typically range from 28 to 90 days.
Partial Hospitalization (PHP)
Two facilities offer partial hospitalization programs, which provide structured clinical programming for several hours per day, five days per week, while allowing clients to sleep at home or in sober housing. PHP is often used as a step-down from inpatient care or as an initial level of care for people who have a stable home environment but need intensive clinical support.
Outpatient Programs
With 40 standard outpatient clinics, Madison’s outpatient access is broad. Outpatient rehab allows individuals to attend therapy and counseling sessions on a scheduled basis while continuing to live at home. It works best when someone has stable housing, a supportive home environment, and a substance use pattern that does not require around-the-clock monitoring. Outpatient programs also serve as continuing care after completion of a residential or PHP level of treatment.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Thirty-two Madison facilities are equipped to treat co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders at the same time. This is clinically important because conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar disorder frequently occur alongside substance use disorders, and addressing only one at a time tends to produce worse long-term outcomes. Programs that integrate addiction therapy with psychiatric care give people a more complete foundation for recovery.
Sober Living
Three sober living homes in Madison provide structured, substance-free housing for people who have completed primary treatment but are not ready to transition to fully independent living. Sober living supports the critical early months of rehab aftercare by combining peer accountability, routine, and increasing autonomy, reducing the relapse risk that often accompanies an abrupt return to an unsupported home environment.
Specialty Programs in Madison
Specialty programming increases treatment effectiveness by addressing the clinical and social factors unique to specific populations. Madison’s facility network includes strong representation across most specialty categories, with particularly deep availability for young adults, women, men, and people with alcohol or opioid use disorders. Cards below represent programs meeting minimum-count thresholds.
Free and Low-Cost Rehab Resources in Madison
Several programs in Madison and Dane County offer addiction support services at no cost or on a sliding scale. The Behavioral Health Resource Center (BHRC) at 608-267-2244 can help any resident navigate local options, regardless of insurance status or income. If you or someone you know is in immediate crisis, call 911 or the Dane County 24/7 Emergency Crisis Line at 608-280-2600.
Crisis Lines
The resources below are available around the clock for anyone experiencing a substance use emergency or mental health crisis. For more on crisis support, see our guide to suicide prevention and crisis resources.
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988. Free, confidential support for mental health and substance use crises, available 24 hours a day. 988lifeline.org
- SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357. Free, confidential treatment referrals and information, 24 hours a day, in English and Spanish. samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
- Dane County 24/7 Emergency Crisis Line: 608-280-2600. Telephone and face-to-face crisis counseling for Dane County residents experiencing a mental health or substance use emergency, available at any hour.
County Health and Navigation
- Behavioral Health Resource Center (BHRC): 608-267-2244. Free navigation services for any Dane County resident seeking mental health or substance use support, regardless of insurance, income, age, or legal status. Walk-in available Monday through Friday at 2450 Rimrock Rd, Suite 301, Madison. danebhrc.org
- Dane County Department of Human Services, Adult Addiction Treatment: Connects uninsured and underinsured residents to county-funded treatment programs and assesses eligibility for residential SUD treatment under BadgerCare Plus. danecountyhumanservices.org
Community and Nonprofit
- Journey Mental Health Center: 608-280-2720. Community-based mental health and addiction services, including co-occurring disorder treatment. Accepts Medicaid, Medicare, sliding-scale fees, and self-payment. Located at 25 Kessel Court, Madison. journeymhc.org
- 211 Wisconsin: Call or text 211. Connects residents to local social services, including substance use treatment, emergency housing, and food assistance. 211wisconsin.communityos.org
Harm Reduction
- Public Health Madison and Dane County Syringe Services Program: Free safer drug use supplies, including naloxone (Narcan), fentanyl test strips, xylazine test strips, and sterile injection equipment. Available at two Madison locations: 2705 E. Washington Ave. and 2300 S. Park St., Monday through Friday. No judgment; no identification required. publichealthmdc.com
- Dane County Emergency Management Harm Reduction Vending Machines: Free naloxone, fentanyl and xylazine test strips, and other harm reduction supplies available around the clock at locations throughout Dane County. em.danecounty.gov
Veterans and Military
- William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Addictive Disorders Treatment Program: Located at 2500 Overlook Terrace, Madison, WI 53705. VA-funded outpatient and specialized substance use disorder services for eligible veterans, including medication-assisted treatment, group and individual therapy, and co-occurring disorder care. Contact through the VA’s online scheduling system or call the hospital’s main line. va.gov/madison-health-care
Drug and Alcohol Use Statistics in Madison
Dane County has experienced a significant overdose crisis over the past decade, driven primarily by the spread of synthetic opioids. In 2023, 144 people in the county died from a drug overdose, according to Public Health Madison and Dane County. Provisional data for 2024 indicates a roughly 20 percent decrease, a welcome trend that local public health officials have attributed in part to expanded access to naloxone, harm reduction programming, and community partnerships. Opioids, especially fentanyl, remain the central driver of these deaths.
Resources
- Public Health Madison & Dane County. (2025). Summary of Drug Overdose Deaths in Dane County 2000-2023. https://publichealthmdc.com/documents/Summary_of_Overdose_Deaths.pdf
- Public Health Madison & Dane County. (2025). Digging Deeper into Overdose Deaths in Dane County. https://publichealthmdc.com/blog/2025-08-20/digging-deeper-into-overdose-deaths-in-dane-county
- Wisconsin Public Radio. (2024). Fentanyl continues to drive overdose deaths in Wisconsin. https://www.wpr.org/news/fentanyl-continues-overdose-deaths-wisconsin
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services. (2024). Medicaid: BadgerCare Waiver. https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/medicaid/waiver-badgercare1115.htm
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services. (2024). BadgerCare Plus: Covered Services and Copays. https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/badgercareplus/services.htm
- Addictions.com. Wisconsin Addiction Treatment Programs and Costs. https://www.addictions.com/rehabs/wisconsin/
- Dane County Department of Human Services. Adult Addiction Treatment. https://danecountyhumanservices.org/Behavioral-Health/Adult-Addiction-Treatment
- KFF. (2026). Opioid Overdose Deaths: National Trends and Variation by Demographics and States. https://www.kff.org/mental-health/opioid-overdose-deaths-national-trends-and-variation-by-demographics-and-states/
- CDC Injury Center. (2024). Overdose Prevention Funding — Wisconsin. https://www.cdc.gov/injury/budget-funding/wisconsin.html
- Dane County Emergency Management. Overdose Prevention. https://em.danecounty.gov/overdose-prevention
