PayingWays to Pay for Addiction and Mental Health Treatment. A calm, plain look at the options that can help people get care.
A guide from The Blackburn Group. Last reviewed October 2026. This guide is general information, not medical or legal advice.
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Money worries stop many people from seeking help. There are usually more options than people expect.
When someone you love needs care, the question of how to pay can feel overwhelming. It helps to break it into steps. Most people use a mix of sources: insurance, workplace benefits, public programs and, in some cases, nonprofit support.
You do not need every answer before you make the first call. A good provider will walk you through what applies to your situation and be honest about what does not.
If you or someone you love is in crisis, do not wait to sort out payment. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. In an emergency, call 911.
Health insurance
Most health plans include some coverage for mental health and substance use care. The details matter, so ask.
Federal parity law requires many health plans to cover mental health and substance use care on terms similar to medical care. That does not mean every service is covered, but it does mean you have a right to clear answers.
Call the member services number on the back of the insurance card. Write down the date, the name of the person you spoke with and a reference number. Then ask direct questions.
- Which services are covered: therapy, psychiatry, outpatient programs, detox, testing?
- Do I need a referral or prior authorization?
- Which providers are in network, and what happens if I go out of network?
- Is there a deductible, copay or limit on visits?
- If a claim is denied, how do I appeal?
Employer programs
Many employers offer an Employee Assistance Program. It is often confidential and easy to overlook.
An Employee Assistance Program, or EAP, usually offers a set number of free, confidential counseling sessions and help finding longer-term care. Many also cover family members. Your HR department or benefits portal can tell you whether you have one and how to reach it.
Using an EAP is generally private. Employers typically do not learn who used it or why. If you are unsure, ask the EAP directly about confidentiality before you share details.
Students may have similar options. Many colleges offer counseling services and student health plans that include behavioral health care.
Public programs
Public programs can open doors to care for people who qualify. In California, Medi-Cal and county behavioral health are the main starting points.
Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program. It covers many mental health and substance use services for people who qualify, often through county behavioral health departments. Eligibility is based largely on income, and many people qualify who do not expect to.
Each county in California runs a behavioral health department that can help with assessments and referrals. In Los Angeles County, that is the Department of Mental Health, along with county substance use services. A call to your county’s access line is a good place to start.
Outside California, your state’s Medicaid program and local behavioral health agencies play a similar role. The federal SAMHSA National Helpline, 1-800-662-4357, offers free, confidential referrals any day of the year.
Sliding scale and scholarships
Some providers adjust what they charge based on income. Nonprofits can also help through treatment scholarships.
Sliding scale means a provider sets its fee based on what a person can reasonably pay. Community clinics, training clinics and some private practices offer it. It never hurts to ask whether a provider has a sliding scale or a hardship policy.
Treatment scholarships are funds, often from nonprofits, that pay for some or all of a person’s care when other options fall short. Each program sets its own process. Most ask for an application, a conversation about the person’s situation and some information about other resources.
The Blackburn Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, funds scholarships that can cover up to 12 months of treatment. Each request is assessed case by case.
Questions to ask
A trustworthy provider welcomes questions about payment. Clear answers up front prevent hard surprises later.
Before starting care, ask the provider to explain in writing how billing works. Good providers are open about this. If you are a professional referring a client, these same questions help you vet a program. Our page for professionals has more.
- Are you licensed, and by which state agency?
- Do you check insurance benefits before care begins?
- What will I be responsible for, and when?
- Do you offer a sliding scale or payment plan?
- What happens if insurance stops covering care partway through?
Warning signs
Some operators target families in crisis. Knowing the red flags protects you and the person you love.
Patient brokering is when someone is paid to steer a person to a particular program. Many states, including California, have laws against it. Brokers often find people through online ads, social media or unsolicited calls, and the care that follows may not be what was promised.
If an offer sounds too good to be true, slow down and verify. Look up the provider’s license, call your insurer and ask for details in writing.
The Blackburn Group, including The Blackburn Foundation, is here to help families think through options. Call (888) 305-5422 or email info@theblackburngroup.org, or use our Where to start page.
- Offers of free travel, gifts or cash to enroll
- Promises that treatment will be completely free with any insurance
- Pressure to decide right away or leave today
- Requests for your insurance information before any assessment
- Vague answers about licensing, location or who provides care
Sources
Where to learn more from public health and official sources.
Related guides
Questions
What should I do first if I don’t know how to pay?
Start with the insurance card, if there is one, and call member services. If there is no insurance, check Medi-Cal eligibility or call your county behavioral health access line.
Will using my Employee Assistance Program be reported to my employer?
EAPs are generally confidential, and employers typically do not learn who used them. Ask the EAP to explain its privacy policy before you share details.
How do treatment scholarships work?
Scholarships are usually offered by nonprofits to help pay for care when other options fall short. Most involve an application and a conversation, and each request is reviewed on its own merits.
How can I tell if a program is legitimate?
Verify its license with the state, ask for billing details in writing and be cautious of offers of free travel, cash or pressure to decide fast.