By Trafalgar’s Editorial Team
This Article is Clinically Reviewed by Nathaniel Israel M.A., R.P.
Some services available to people with substance abuse disorder or behavioural addictions are publicly funded by OHIP. But when we talk about ‘rehab’ as a place where a person boards, receives counselling and has access to amenities and meals, funding is not always available.
Whether OHIP will cover some or all of a stay in substance or behavioural addictions rehab depends on a few different factors. This article discusses those factors and highlights the difference between OHIP and non-OHIP covered treatment centres in Ontario.
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Public Rehab Treatment Centres
Rehab programs in Ontario can be rendered through a public or private provider. For example, CAMH in Toronto is a public rehab treatment centre that is covered by OHIP.
The basic services provided by CAMH are paid for publicly, meaning there is no charge to patients. However, certain services, which in many cases are absolutely necessary, are not publicly funded. For example, residents of CAMH may need to pay in order to receive a private or semi-private room, or to receive medication.
What’s Needed to Enrol in a Publicly Funded Rehab Program?
Ontario rehab treatment programs require the patient be at least 18 years old. Because 18 is the age of majority in Ontario, this ensures all residents are attending the rehab program of their own free will.
Additionally, a valid health card is required to participate in OHIP funded drug and alcohol addictions rehab treatment in Ontario.
Fee-for-Service (Private) Rehab Centres
Private rehab treatment centres are another option for people in Ontario. In some cases, tthese facilities may have programs integrated with public services, in which OHIP-covered addiction treatment plans are disseminated on the site. As with publicly rendered treatment plans, additional costs are required for auxiliary services and amenities.
Aside from these programs, private drug and behavioural rehab centre stays are paid for by the resident, or by someone else on their behalf.
How Much Does Private Rehab Cost in Ontario?
The cost of private rehab treatment varies from place to place, and from program to program. We recently discussed the factors that determine the cost of rehab and provided funding estimates. Check out this article for a thorough examination of the cost of private rehab treatment centres in Ontario
If you’re looking for a ballpark estimate, the daily cost to stay and receive treatment from a top rehab facility can run between $500-$1,000 per dollars per day.
Why Choose Private Over Public Rehab?
Publicly rendered drug and behavioural rehab services can be free, or at least relatively inexpensive. On the other hand, private rehab treatment costs several hundred dollars per day. So why would you choose the latter?
Although Ontarians are fortunate to have access to free rehab treatment services, public facilities can have wait times, sparse one-on-one services and limitations on the quality of service. Private rehab centres tend to offer better service across the board.
Firstly, private providers can offer different types of programs for different needs. The most known examples are:
- Outpatient counselling
- Residential rehab
- Virtual Addiction Rehab Program (with this option, one can receive addiction treatment in the comfort of their homes, at their convenience.)
Some common advantages of these private alcohol and behavioural treatment centres include:
- No wait times
- Private or semi-private rooms
- Inclusive on-site amenities
- Food plans
- Ample one-on-one time with therapists and counsellors
- More sessions and classes to stimulate recovery
- Support therapy sessions, focusing exclusively on the addict’s partner.
- Better educated and more experienced therapists
- Support for family members of the client.
- More privacy and personal space
- Skills and Process groups
- Better access to outdoor and natural amenities
- Aftercare support
- Exclusive aftercare programming like ContinUCare and Continuation of Care.
- Virtual Aftercare Support Groups to attend from the safety of home.
- Special treatment programs for Military Personnel and First Responders.
So while cost will factor into the decision for most people, it’s just one of many considerations to be made when choosing an addiction rehab treatment centre.
Choosing Between Private Treatment Centres in Ontario
It’s worth noting that not all of these characteristics rendered equally by every private rehab facility in Ontario.
Quality varies, and your final choice comes down to more than just public vs private.
For example, the number of patients a rehab treatment centre accommodates at any one time will influence the attention each individual receives. Different pay-for-service treatment centres set different limits, so a person’s stay can be vastly different depending on which private treatment centre they attend.
Another major differentiator is the quality of care. This factor is far-reaching, but can be seen in elements like the education level and professional experience of the staff.
For example, whereas some centres might rely entirely on counsellors, others will give patients ample time with trained psychotherapists.
💡 The Difference Between a Therapist and an Addiction Counsellor
What distinguishes their roles is the difference in education, training, experience and professional accountability.
A therapist enables you to tackle deep trauma and unresolved issues that fuel your addiction.
A counsellor helps you to manage unhealthy behaviours during your recovery process with healthy habits on a daily/weekly basis.
An Affordable Alternative to Residential Treatment
We offer a 4-week intensive virtual program:
A new alternative to residential treatment.
And yes, it works.
Call For A Free Consultation
CARF Accreditation
Accreditation is another sign of quality that some rehab treatment centres will have, but that others will not. Accreditation means the treatment centre is deemed to have met the standards set by an impartial third-party group. As such, accreditation validates the calibre of service provided.
Can I Use Health Insurance to Pay for Private Rehab?
Some insurance providers, delivered individually or through an employer or organization, may pay for all or part of the cost of a stay in a private rehab facility.
To find out whether you have coverage through your provider, contact the facility you are interested in choosing.
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