Alcohol Rehab Without Insurance in Illinois

Getting Treatment Without Insurance in Illinois

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was created in order to make sure that people can afford health care. The ACA makes it possible to get health care coverage even if you don't have any health insurance at the moment. People who qualify may be eligible for a subsidy, which is money paid out by the government to help pay for the monthly cost of your health insurance.

Find a treatment facility or a substance abuse counselor that offers sliding scale fees. A sliding fee schedule is based on income and family size. Ask the facility you choose if they have one and what the costs will be.

Ask your state Medicaid department about getting Medicaid coverage. It can help pay for rehab or substance abuse counseling.

Talk to an intake counselor at a treatment facility. They are there to answer questions and give you information.

State-Funded Treatment Through IDHS SUPR

The Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery funds Substance Use Disorder organizations through a combination of State and Federal grant dollars.

IDHS SUPR funds community organizations that provide state licensed substance use disorder treatment services, including medication assisted treatment and recovery support services. The following is a list of those services:

• Screening and assessment for individuals
• Outpatient services
• Intensive outpatient services
• Residential care in licensed facilities
• Withdrawal management services

Treatment programs and organizations are available statewide through IDHS/SUPR that provide affordable treatment and recovery support services to Illinois citizens.

Some private licensed treatment organizations offer a sliding scale fee structure based on an individual's ability to pay. Organizations also provide payment plans to assist those without financial resources.

If an individual has no form of health care coverage and wishes to receive services from a state-funded organization, they can contact the provider directly and ask if the program is funded through IDHS/SUPR.

Applying for Illinois Medicaid

Necessary medical benefits include mental health and substance abuse services, prescriptions, doctor visits, emergency care, hospital care, lab tests, and x-rays. You may also receive dental care, immunizations, hearing and vision screenings, transportation to appointments, and durable medical equipment. The list of benefits varies by program.

Medicaid is a state-federal partnership. It provides health insurance to people with low incomes or disabilities. Each state sets its own rules for eligibility.

The HealthChoice Illinois plan will vary by region, but all plans cover many services.

Illinois Medicaid applications go through ABE, a one-stop application system that allows individuals to apply for benefits at any time. You can begin the application process online, or you can call the Family Community Resource Centers nearest your home to begin the application process over the phone.

You will be asked several questions about your family and what types of health services you need to complete your application.

Sliding-Scale and Free Programs

Many programs ask about a sliding fee scale when you're asked to pay for your services. The program may also call this a payment plan.

Sliding fee scales adjust charges by income levels. Some clinics ask patients to fill out financial information forms before they're allowed to enter treatment.

Some programs, like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, are run by people who have been in recovery for many years. They meet regularly to offer support for each other, which can be incredibly helpful for those trying to get sober or stay sober after they have already completed treatment at a rehab center. These programs do not cost anything because they are based on mutual support and fellowship.

Ask whether you qualify for a sliding fee scale or if payment plans are available. Some clinics have these programs, but not all of them do.

Priority Populations

IDHS SUPR gives priority admission in this rank order:

• Pregnant injecting drug users
• Pregnant woman with substance use disorder
• Injecting drug users
• Post-partum women
• Persons with service in the U.S. Armed Forces
• Parenting individuals with substance use disorders
• Illinois Department of Children and Family Services referrals
• Persons eligible for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) and other women and children
• Department of Corrections (DOC) referred individuals who have completed a prison treatment program or who have been referred for treatment for Illinois courts as diversion to a prison sentence

Priority admission starts with pregnant injecting drug users and pregnant woman with substance use disorder who receive priority status because of the impact of these conditions on families and society.

The Illinois Department of Human Services offers a wide range of treatment and support services for individuals with substance use disorders who are uninsured or whose coverage is terminated for short periods of time.

Using the Illinois Helpline to Find Funded Care

The Illinois Helpline is a confidential statewide service for locating substance use disorder (SUD) and problem gambling treatment and recovery services. Helpline specialists can answer questions about SUD or problem gambling services; help you find a provider that meets your needs; connect you with medication-assisted treatment (MAT); refer you to local prevention, recovery support, education, counseling, or other services; and provide referrals for additional supports.

People who need substance use or problem gambling treatment can speak to a care coordinator for confidential help in finding the right treatment options. Helpline care coordinators offer help seven days a week.

Helpline specialists use evidence-based approaches to connect people with treatment, recovery support, and other available resources.

There are many Illinois state-funded treatment and recovery service providers that can serve as an alternative to private, fee-based treatment.

Helpline specialists will also connect callers with treatment and recovery providers who accept Medicaid as payment.

Individuals experiencing substance use disorders who have no or limited insurance, including Medicaid, should call the Helpline for assistance with finding appropriate services. Helpline specialists can provide information about treatment options for adolescents and adults experiencing substance use disorders.

What to Ask When You Call a Program

When you call a program, ask about payment options and whether a sliding fee scale is offered.

• What is the cost of treatment? And what does it include?
• Will my insurance cover these costs?
• Are there different levels of care and do those have different prices?
• Are there other costs that are not included in the overall price estimate? If so, how much can I expect to pay for them?

• How long is your waiting list?
• Are there days or times when new patients cannot be seen?

Is the program licensed and accredited?

• Are all of the staff members who will treat me or my loved one licensed or certified?
• Is the facility itself licensed?
• Is the facility accredited? If so, by whom?

Ask about the program's intake process: how long it takes, when the assessment interview will be conducted, what the patient needs to bring to that appointment, and who conducts the interview.

Ask if the program offers dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders and addictions. Ask whether the staff members are trained in treating the specific conditions your loved one faces.

If the program is a residential or outpatient rehab, ask if it offers aftercare planning or referrals, such as to support groups and other services that will be needed when the person's active treatment ends.

Once you've identified one or more programs that you're interested in, you may want to contact them for more information. The following questions can help guide your call.

Do you provide care that's based on research about what helps people recover from alcohol problems? If so, what are some examples of this care?

Does the program offer personalized services that are tailored to meet my needs and circumstances?

Can you describe what happens during an assessment? Who will conduct it, what questions might be asked, and how long will it take? Will I or someone else need to fill out paperwork beforehand?

What information do I need to bring with me for this initial appointment or assessment?

Can you tell me about the types of services provided at your program and the typical length of stay?

Will I get a written plan that explains the care I'll receive?

If I'm ready to enter treatment today, what would be my next steps?