Expert Insights
Looking at the assembly candidates for Anchorage, I felt a sense of hope when I came across Jim Arlington’s point of view on addiction and homelessness — a major problem for us residents.
I too am a fan of the housing first model, which allows houseless people to find shelter before tackling their problems, like drug use. It’s only once a person’s basic needs are met —like shelter, food, and safety — can a person truly address mental health and addiction treatment. These kinds of programs support people getting the help they need, and then the skills and training they need to support themselves, like job skills training and long-term housing.
Insisting people get sober first will never work, because it is hard to maintain sobriety among people using drugs and when you are barely surviving. I hope Jim gets a chance to fund more housing first programs.
~ Olivia Pennelle
How Expensive is Drug Rehab in Anchorage?
The cost of drug and alcohol rehab in Anchorage varies depending on the type and setting of treatment. A 2015 report showed you may pay an average of $2,053 for an emergency department visit from drug and alcohol use. However, you may spend about $22,886 to $27,413 for inpatient services.
Are There Low-Cost and Free Drug Rehab Centers in Anchorage?
Alaska Medicaid provides state-funded care through Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CBHCs) in Anchorage, Alaska. You may be eligible at a CBHC if you are using drugs and alcohol in an unhealthy way and experience symptoms indicating that you may continue using drugs and alcohol even if you experience problems.
You can find low-cost and free accredited drug rehabs in Anchorage, such as Medicaid, by contacting healthcare.gov. Non-profit and faith-based organizations provide additional options for low-cost and free drug and alcohol rehab in Anchorage.
Do Medicare and Medicaid Cover Rehab Center Costs?
Yes, Medicare and Medicaid cover at least part of the cost of your care. Alaska Medicaid is part of the Alaska Medical Assistance. You may receive reimbursement from Alaska Medicaid to pay for the following services:
Transportation and accommodation for non-emergent medically necessary treatment
Substance abuse intake assessment
Integrated mental health and substance use intake assessment
Comprehensive community support services for adults
Peer support services
Detoxification services
Residential substance use treatment services
Screening and brief interventions services
Telemedicine
Short-term crisis services
You can receive services from a CBHC center in Anchorage, Alaska, by visiting the Alaska Behavioral Health website or calling them to schedule an appointment. Your provider can also refer you to a CBHC center.
Medicare provides federal funding for people over 65 or younger with disability. You will receive Medicare coverage for the following if the services are deemed necessary and reasonable:
- Referrals
- Screening
- Brief interventions
- Partial hospitalization
- Inpatient
- Outpatient
Resources
- Health, A. D. of. (n.d.-a). 2021 drug overdose mortality update.
- Walker, B., Davidson, V., & Butler, J. C. (2017). Health facilities data reporting program 2015 annual report.
- State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. (2019). Alaska Medical Assistance Provider Billing Manuals.
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2021). Mental Health and Substance Use Insurance Help.
- Andakra-Christou, B., Randall-Kosich, O., & Totaram, R. (2021). Designing an “Ideal” Substance Use Disorder Treatment Center: Perspectives of People Who Have Utilized Medications for Opioid Use Disorder.
