How to Pay for Drug & Alcohol Rehab Without Insurance

Author

Nikki Seay

About the Author

Medical Reviewer

Dr Jillian Foglesong Stabile

About the Reviewer

Private pay for addiction treatment means that you are solely responsible for paying the fees associated with your treatment. For those who are either under-insured or uninsured and considering private pay for rehab, the following are some commonly used private pay options you might want to consider.

Zero-Interest Financing

Many alcohol and drug rehabs have relationships with financial institutions that have agreed to offer interest-free financing for up to one year. Alternatively, some of these institutions have also agreed to offer financing at a low-interest fixed rate for up to two years. Your eligibility for any of these financing programs will be determined by the lending company.

Personal Loans

If you’re lucky enough to have a financially stable friend or a family member who supports your recovery efforts – someone who might be willing to provide you with a personal loan – it certainly never hurts to ask. Before securing a personal loan from a friend or family member, however, you need to make absolutely sure that you will be able to meet all the expectations and repayment details.

You should also be prepared to hear “no” from your friends or family members when it comes to this option. The truth is that some people don’t feel comfortable enough to lend you money yet – even if it is for something as positive as recovery services. For example, if you consistently stole money from your loved ones in order to support your addiction, you might have a difficult time convincing them that you’re being honest this time. You’ll likely need to take all of these factors into account before asking someone for financial assistance.

Personal Bank Loans

If you have an account at a local credit union, bank, or another financial establishment, they may be able to offer you a personal medical loan to help cover the cost of detox and recovery. Many banks and credit unions offer financing options for medical emergencies, and addiction treatment definitely falls into that category.

You could also look into getting a credit card to charge the costs of treatment. Many credit card companies offer deferred interest or low-interest rates for medical expenses like addiction treatment or outpatient recovery programs.

Secured Medical Loans

A secured loan is one where you’re required to put up a form of collateral in order to secure the loan itself. When applying for secured loans, the collateral is what helps you secure better rates. In order to be approved, however, you have to have a good credit score, good credit history, and (usually) provide proof of employment. Lenders also look at your finances to determine whether or not you have outstanding or significant debt.

Payment Plans With the Rehab Center

Most rehab centers understand that people generally can’t afford to pay for the entire cost of treatment upfront. Talk to the treatment center of your choice and ask if they offer any kind of in-house financing opportunity. Some facilities actually offer low interest rates or zero percent financing for set periods of time.