No insurance and no savings: where do I start?
From the RecoveryHome team. We write some questions from situations people often ask us about, and answer them with general information from public health sources. Been through this yourself? Your answer could help the next person who finds this page. How we write team posts
RH
RecoveryHome team Team
asked 3 months ago
People who lose coverage along with a job often hear prices they can't pay and wonder whether treatment is even possible without money. Is there a real path?
RH
RecoveryHome team Team
answered 7 days ago · general information, not medical advice
There is a real path. It's just poorly signposted. Start with these three this week:
- SAMHSA's National Helpline, 1-800-662-4357 (free, confidential, 24/7). Ask specifically about state-funded treatment in your county.
- Medicaid. You can apply any time of year, and every state's Medicaid program covers substance use treatment, though which services are covered varies. Losing job-based coverage also opens a special enrollment period for Marketplace plans. Apply through your state Medicaid office or HealthCare.gov.
- Sliding-fee programs. Search our directory with the "Sliding fee scale" and "Medicaid" payment filters. Sliding-fee programs set the price based on your income.
Also: call 211 to ask about local detox or walk-in services, and get on waiting lists now, since state-funded beds can have waits. Keep calling back.
Read more: Medicaid and state-funded treatment · What does rehab cost?
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