If you’ve decided to seek treatment for a substance addiction, then you have taken the first and vital step toward recovery. The next decision to make is this: Which treatment program is right for you?
Cost is one of the biggest barriers to entering addiction treatment. Prices of rehab programs range from free to thousands of dollars, depending on the type and level of services provided. Many insurance plans cover the full cost of treatment programs, but if you don’t have insurance, you still have options. In Massachusetts, you can access treatment with or without health insurance.
This article provides an overview of some of the best low-cost or free rehabs in Massachusetts.
Rehabs that are supported by government funds (tax dollars) are often free or affordable. These programs are typically funded through grants or subsidies, and they can be a great alternative for those who are underinsured or uninsured.
Government-funded rehabs for alcoholism and drug addiction help those who are unemployed, uninsured, or unable to pay out-of-pocket find treatment programs that are either free or offered at a reduced cost. More than half of the treatment programs in Massachusetts receive some level of government funding.1
If you are covered under Medicare or Medicaid (MassHealth), you may already be eligible for certain rehab services. In Massachusetts, 72% of programs accept Medicare and 85% accept Medicaid.1
One drawback to government-funded rehabs is that resources are often limited, which means there may be a waiting list. This is another reason to seek treatment as soon as possible.
Some of the services offered through government-funded rehabs in Massachusetts include2
To qualify for government-funded treatment in Massachusetts, you may be required to meet specific criteria. Here are the most common requirements:
Each program may have additional qualifying criteria, so it’s best to contact them directly for more information.
Non-profit rehabs are similar to government-funded rehabs. The main difference lies in where they secure their funding. Non-profits are usually supported by private donors and charity organizations, which allow them to offer services for free or at a reduced cost.
Some of the most common services offered through non-profit rehabs in Massachusetts include:
Churches and other faith-based programs typically receive funding from religious organizations, private donors, or charity foundations. This allows them to offer free or reduced-cost treatment programs. Most faith-based programs, such as Christian rehabs, have a strong religious or spiritual component within their treatment programs.
Some of the services offered through faith-based rehabs in Massachusetts include:
If you have an insurance policy through MassHealth, Medicare, COBRA, or another private insurance plan, then the cost of your rehab may be fully or partially covered. In fact, 80% of the rehab programs in Massachusetts accept insurance.1
It is best to contact your plan directly to learn more about what is covered under your specific policy.
Once you’ve determined that your Massachusetts-based insurance plan covers rehab services, you’ll then need to identify which of the Greater Boston rehabs accept your insurance plan.
Many insurance plans have convenient online directories that include a list of health care providers and services that are in-network.
You can also call your insurance plan directly and speak with a customer service agent who can guide you to the information you are looking for. Ask questions to be sure you understand what your out-of-pocket costs will be. Some insurance plans cover the entire cost of rehab, while others require co-pays or coinsurance.
Alternatively, you may call our 24/7 helpline at (857) 577-8193 to find a rehab in Massachusetts that accepts your insurance. One of our treatment support specialists can help you get connected with a treatment center that best suits your needs and budget.
If you don’t have insurance and you’re struggling with alcohol or drug addiction, you have other options.
Over 50% of treatment programs in Massachusetts offer free services for people who cannot afford to pay, and many programs also offer reduced-cost or sliding scale options.1
If you’re looking for an affordable rehab program to begin treatment, the list below summarizes a few of the low-cost or free rehabs in Massachusetts.
Bay Cove Human Services is an affordable non-profit drug rehab for adults in Boston. Each year they serve more than 25,000 individuals and families, and they provide a broad range of services from outpatient care to inpatient treatment.
Services include the following:
Aftercare Services, INC. is a state-funded outpatient rehabilitation center that offers drug rehab services for adults in the Boston Metropolitan area. While they specialize in providing in-home personalized treatment programs and intensive outpatient treatments, they offer several community-based programs as well.
Services include the following:
AdCare Treatment Centers provide offer addiction treatment programs for patients of all ages in the greater Boston area. With several locations throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island, they have a wide network of services to fully support you during your recovery process.
Services include the following:
Bridge Over Troubled Waters is not a traditional rehab facility. Instead, it specializes in supporting homeless and runaway youth, many of whom are either at risk or are currently struggling with a substance misuse disorder. Services are specifically intended for individuals under the age of 24, with an emphasis on helping troubled youth become self-sufficient.
Services include the following:
Fenway Health is a progressive non-profit community health center that offers substance use counseling, education, and case management services. They specialize in supporting LGBT+, BIPOC, and other minority populations. With a focus on racial equity and social justice, they are able to reach historically underserved groups within the community.
Services include the following:
Women’s Renewal Clinical Stabilization Services specializes in rehab treatment for women only. The facility, which was first opened in 1862, was first hospital in New England to be founded and run by women, and it continues to focus on health care needs that are specific to women.
Services include the following:
Whittier Street Health Center is a community health center that offers comprehensive outpatient care services for many health conditions, including substance use disorders. Specialty care is also available for patients with ADHD, depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
Services include the following:
Rehabilitation & Health, Inc. provides outpatient treatment specifically geared toward adult men, with a special focus on those who are homeless, involved in the court system, or have a history of incarceration.
Services include the following:
While some rehab programs may be costly and out of reach, there are free and affordable rehabs in Massachusetts that have equally comprehensive treatment options.
Cost does not have to be a barrier to getting the treatment you need.
You are not alone. As of March 31, 2020, there were over 52,000 residents of Massachusetts actively receiving treatment for a substance use disorder.
If you feel overwhelmed by the options, contact one of our recovery specialists at (857) 577-8193 to find a low-cost rehab in Massachusetts.
STACY FISHER is a registered dietitian, certified diabetes care and education specialist, and author with more than 20 years of experience in the health care industry, where she’s helped patients recover from a wide range of chronic conditions.
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If you wish to explore additional treatment options or connect with a specific rehab center, you can: browse top-rated listings, visit our homepage, or visit SAMHSA, at www.samhsa.gov, or by calling 800-662-HELP. You may also contact The Florida Department of Children and Family Services at https://www.myflfamilies.com/