The Cost of Care vs. The Cost of Addiction
Rehab is expensive, but addiction is costlier—legal fees, lost wages, and health complications add up fast. Fortunately, the landscape of funding treatment has changed dramatically in the last decade.
Private Insurance and the ACA
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), mental health and substance abuse services are classified as "Essential Health Benefits." This means insurance companies must cover them at a level comparable to medical/surgical benefits.
- PPO Plans (Blue Cross, Aetna, etc.): Typically offer the most choice. You can often go to "out-of-network" facilities that offer luxury amenities.
- HMO Plans (Kaiser, etc.): Usually require you to stay within their network. Kaiser Fontana, for instance, has a robust Chemical Dependency Recovery Program (CDRP).
Medi-Cal and County Services
If you have low income or no insurance, you are not out of luck. California's Medi-Cal expansion covers substance abuse treatment.
- Riverside County (RUHS): The CARES line (Community Access, Referral, Evaluation, and Support) is your entry point. They can place you in county-funded detox and residential beds.
- San Bernardino County: The Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) manages the CHOICE program.
Sliding Scale and Non-Profits
For those in the "gap"—making too much for Medi-Cal but having no private insurance—non-profits are the answer.
- Inland Valley Recovery Services (IVRS): Located in Upland and San Bernardino, they offer fees based on your income.
- Salvation Army: While faith-based and work-therapy oriented, their Adult Rehabilitation Centers (ARCs) are free of charge.
Action Step: verify your benefits before you check in. Most facilities have an admissions coordinator who will run your insurance for free.