Expert Insights
Idaho has received millions ($26 million to be precise!) in opioid settlements, yet, I’m struggling to see how that money is helping people get into addiction treatment. The money is supposed to be going into state and local treatment programs, but I recently read that 27 percent of Idaho residents who needed treatment couldn’t get it. Worse, Idaho’s Department of Health and Welfare lists just 8 inpatient treatment centers, and only 3 opioid treatment programs on their SUD resources map! In a state with higher than the national average rate of drug addiction, which increased during the pandemic, the state needs to do more to serve its residents.
~ Olivia Pennelle
How Much Does Drug Rehab in Idaho Cost?
Idaho is ranked 1st nationwide in terms of addiction treatment affordability, with an average cost of addiction treatment of $42,195
- Medical detox is the most expensive, with an average cost of $104,026
- Inpatient rehab in Idaho costs an average of $37,234
- Outpatient rehab in Idaho costs and average of $6,187
- Outpatient methadone treatment is the most affordable, with an average cost of $5,497
Your costs for addiction treatment will depend on a lot of factors. Your out-of-pocket costs will be determined based on several criteria, including:
Whether you choose an inpatient or outpatient program
The type of amenities and features
The duration of your treatment
If the facility takes your insurance plan
Where the facility is located
Choosing inpatient or residential rehab will come with higher costs. You will live in the facility for the entire duration of your care. Your costs will include housing, meals, therapy, and any medical care you need. If you choose a facility with luxury add-ons, your costs will go up.
If cost is a barrier to getting care, you can find free, low-cost, or sliding-scale programs in Idaho. You can ask a treatment center if it has structured payment plans. This will allow you to spread payments out over time. Some facilities have a sliding scale for costs and set your expenses based on your income level.
How to Pay for Rehab in Idaho
As of 2024, there were over 120 rehab facilities across the state of Idaho. These facilities accept several payment methods. Of those facilities, the following numbers reflect how many accept their respective payment methods:
105 accept self-payment or cash
74 offer sliding-scale fees for those without insurance
99 accept Medicaid insurance coverage
75 accept state funded insurance coverage
86 accept private health insurance
58 offer free or low-cost treatment
2 offer free treatment for all clients
28 accept tribal funding
The first hurdle to drug and alcohol addiction treatment is being able to pay for addiction treatment centers that address substance abuse and alcohol rehab. While the cost may seem overwhelming, the long-term expenses associated with drug and alcohol addiction are even greater. Consider these methods of reducing your financial burden and increasing your potential for achieving sobriety and sustainable recovery.
Private pay + insurance
Most health insurance policies offer some coverage for substance abuse and mental health treatment. Two federal laws provide some protection and mandate insurance providers offer coverage. However, there are also exceptions. The two federal laws include the 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act and the 2010 Affordable Care Act.
Some individuals choose private pay options so their treatment remains confidential and their insurance provider, and possibly their employer, is not aware they received treatment. The following are some of the major insurance providers that offer coverage in Idaho.
- Advanced Benefits
- Bingham Health Care
- Blue Cross of Idaho
- Castle Lake Insurance
- Dirks Insurance Group
- Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Idaho
- Moda Health Plan
- Mountain Health Cooperative
- Molina Health Care
- Mustard Seed Financial and Insurance
- Mutual Insurance
- PacificSource Health Plans of Idaho
- Regence BlueShield of Idaho
- SelectHealth
Medicaid
Medicaid is a free or low-cost insurance option for adults with a variety of health needs and who meet eligibility requirements. These requirements typically include low income, citizenship, a current social security number, and state residency. Some pregnant women, children, and individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income are also eligible for Medicaid.
Medicaid is a collaborative program between state and federal agencies. However, Idaho administers Medicaid, including specific programs for adults or workers with disabilities, nursing home coverage, and long-term care coverage. Individuals with health problems who require assistance with daily living tasks may also qualify for personal care services in Idaho.
Medicare
Medicare is a government funded health insurance plan that provides coverage for people over age 65 and those younger with certain health conditions. Medicare covers substance abuse treatment under original Medicare Parts A and B. Medicare Advantage is a premium based managed insurance plan that combines coverage for Medicare Parts A and B and offers additional services.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare offers several different ways of accessing substance abuse disorder treatment. Payment depends on your eligibility and your financial situation. Some people are eligible for Medicaid and Medicare, which helps reduce expenses. Magellan of Idaho manages the substance use disorder treatment network so you can access recovery services when you need them.
Military insurance
The military offers treatment for substance use disorders, including alcohol, tobacco, and street drug addiction. Many veterans have challenges with substance abuse and the Veterans Administration provides several treatment options. TRICARE is the healthcare insurance plan from the U.S. Military that provides coverage for active duty and former service members and their families.
TRICARE insurance policies cover inpatient and outpatient care, detoxification, medication assisted treatment, and several evidence-based opioid treatment programs. VA hospitals also offer medically managed detoxification, drug substitution therapies, and nicotine replacement or other medications to help stop smoking. To access these services through VA health care, you must first apply as a veteran or service member.
Tribal funding and programs
The Indian Health Services is a Federal health program for American Indians and Alaskan natives which has an alcohol and substance abuse branch whose aim is to reduce the prevalence and incidence of addiction to a level at or below the general U.S. population.
There are 38 Idaho grants for substance abuse treatment and prevention available to help improve and monitor care. The Tribal Health and Human Services oversees 11 grant programs that provide care throughout Idaho to the Shoshone-Bannock tribes. They are the only Indian Nation jointly accredited through AAAHC with the local Indian Health Service unit.
Other low-cost options
You can pursue other low cost options to help ease your financial burden to pay for drug and alcohol addiction treatment. The options available to you will vary between addiction treatment centers or drug and alcohol rehabs.
The most immediate way to receive care is a personal loan. A bank loan can help provide immediate funds and a personal loan from friends and family allows you to customize your repayment plan and typically does not have the interest rate charged by the bank.
The cost of drug rehabs varies widely depending on several factors. Some programs offer sliding scale fees that adjust the cost based on your financial situation. Employee assistance programs may offer tools or financial assistance and grants and scholarships can come from state and local governments, tribal communities, and nonprofit organizations. Faith-based organizations typically offer services based on their values and beliefs. When these mesh with yours, it gives you a sense of community and they often help cover costs.
Free Rehabs in Idaho
Free drug rehabs in Idaho can help meet your needs when you don’t have the finances to pay for drug and alcohol addiction treatment. Recovery centers can provide low-cost or free treatment services that may also offer sliding scale fees or utilize state or government funding.
Substance abuse can drain your emotional and financial resources, but for many people, the cost of treatment can be just as overwhelming and out of reach. Poverty, homelessness, and financial debt may place you in a position where the cost of addiction treatment is impossible. Addiction does not discriminate. It can affect anyone from lawyers and doctors to short-order cooks and truck drivers.
Some people are reluctant to get treatment because of the stigma associated with addiction or mental health treatment and others may live in areas where treatment is not available. Many resources can assist you in receiving free addiction treatment and help you gain access to the care you need when you need it.
Free Addiction Treatment Resources in Idaho
If you’re looking for low or no cost addiction recovery services in Idaho, you have many options, including
Indigenous Idaho Alliance
Founded in 2012, the Alliance focuses on providing education, collaboration, community care, and awareness. They support several initiatives, including policy and advocacy, technical assistance, mutual aid, and community support. The focus is to help individuals identify culturally sensitive resources, including healthcare providers.
Idaho Substance Misuse Prevention
This government resource provides grants to organizations that provide substance abuse treatment across Idaho. The Idaho RADAR Center provides addiction treatment resources to Idaho residents. They also run campaigns against fentanyl and help parents recognize and get help for youth using marijuana and alcohol.
Northwest Stepping Stones
This nonprofit agency provides learning centers and service coordination to teach independence and create healthy homes. The mission is to end generational poverty and advance self-sufficiency by providing access to skills training and mentoring to low-income families and people with disabilities.
Behavioral Health Crisis Resources
You can get immediate help using the National Behavioral Health Crisis Line at 988. However, regional resources are also available across seven regions of Idaho including crisis lines and centers. You can find the resources you need, no matter where you live in the state.
Idaho State University: Counseling and Mental Center Center
The center offers students counseling services and a crisis and suicide hotline. They offer help for out of state students, those worried about substance abuse, and virtual resources for students who can’t access face to face care. They have a self guided resource library for students interested in self help books and are committed to providing accessibility to students with disabilities.
Idaho Alcohol and Drug Use Statistics
Here are some relevant drug and alcohol abuse statistics for Idaho residents:1,2
In 2021, 10% of adults in Idaho reported using drugs for non-medical purposes.
Illicit drug use was higher than non-medical use of prescription drugs.
Men and women are equally likely to use drugs.
People making under $25,000 per year were the most likely to report drug use, with 14% saying they used substances.
In 2020, 21% of adults aged 18-44 in Idaho engaged in excessive drinking.
20% of adults making more than $75,000 per year reported excessive drinking.
Men were more likely to report excessive drinking than women.
Excessive drinking is consistent across racial demographics, with White, Black, and Hispanic residents reporting a similar level of excessive alcohol use.
Drug Laws in Idaho
Addiction isn’t just an issue that affects individuals and families. It also impacts the community, requiring the passing and enforcement of laws to protect those experiencing addiction, family members, and members of the community.
Marijuana/Cannabis
Possession of cannabis in Idaho is illegal and possession over 3 ounces is a felony with a penalty of imprisonment of not more than five years and a fine of not more than $10,000. The cultivation, possession, selling, and distribution of recreational and medical marijuana is illegal.
Employer Alcohol and Drug Testing
Employers can test potential and current employees for alcohol and drug use. The employer pays for the drug test. A positive result can be used to refuse employment, as cause for discharge or disciplinary actions, or to mandate substance use treatment.
Drug Possession
There are mandatory felony sentences for drug trafficking, including the manufacture, distribution, or bringing into Idaho one pound or more of marijuana, 25 marijuana plants or more, 28 grams or more of cocaine, any amount of meth or amphetamine, or specified amounts of chemical precursors for methamphetamine.
Driving Under the Influence
The penalties for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol vary depending on whether it is your first, second, third, or more offense. The first offense includes a jail sentence not to exceed six months, a fine not to exceed $1,000, and a license suspension of 90 days. The third conviction is a felony with a jail sentence not to exceed 10 years, a fine not to exceed $5,000, and a license suspension for one year.
The Good Samaritan Law gives immunity to persons giving emergency aid at the scene of an accident, injury, or illness from civil damages unless it can be shown the person rendering first aid to the injured person treats them with gross negligence. Immunity stops when the injured or sick person is delivered to a healthcare facility or into the care of emergency medical personnel in an ambulance.
Resources
- America’s Health Rankings. (2021). Non-Medical Drug Use – Past Year In Idaho.
- America’s Health Rankings. (2020). Excessive Drinking In Idaho.
- Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. (2022). Medicaid.
- Medicare.gov. (2022). Inpatient hospital care.
- Medicare.gov. (2022). Mental health care (outpatient).
- NAMI. (2022). Acamprosate (Campral).
- Idaho Legislature. (2021). TITLE 37 – FOOD, DRUGS, AND OIL – CHAPTER 27 – UNIFORM CONTROLLED SUBSTANCEs – ARTICLE IV, 37-2732.
- Idaho Legislature. (2021). TITLE 37 – FOOD, DRUGS, AND OIL – CHAPTER 27 – UNIFORM CONTROLLED SUBSTANCEs – ARTICLE IV, 37-2732.
- Idaho Legislature. (2021). TITLE 37 – FOOD, DRUGS, AND OIL – CHAPTER 27 – UNIFORM CONTROLLED SUBSTANCEs – ARTICLE IV, 37-2739C.
- Idaho Office of Drug Policy. (2022). Naloxone.
- State of Idaho Judicial Branch. (2022). Treatment Courts.
