How Year-End Timing Can Make Treatment More Affordable
As the year winds down, many people start planning resolutions for the year ahead — but waiting until January to address mental health or substance use struggles could cost far more than you realize. If you’ve already paid part or all of your health insurance deductible or out-of-pocket maximum, getting treatment before your benefits reset on January 1 can make recovery significantly more affordable.
Understanding How Deductibles Work
A deductible is the amount you pay for covered health care services before your insurance plan starts to contribute. Once you’ve met your deductible, your insurance begins sharing costs, sometimes covering the full amount, depending on your plan and service.
Most health plans follow the calendar year, meaning all your deductibles, copays and out-of-pocket maximums reset every January 1. Most private and marketplace plans operate this way. If you’ve already met your deductible or reached your out-of-pocket maximum, your insurance will pay a much larger share — or even 100% — of covered services for the rest of the year.
That means now, before December 31, could be the most financially strategic time to complete addiction or mental health treatment.
DON’T WAIT
Treatment may cost less today - act before your deductible resets.
This is the best time of year to begin treatment. Your current insurance benefits could reduce your upfront costs. Verify your insurance today – treatment could be more affordable than you think.
A Snapshot of the Numbers
Around 87% of covered workers have a health plan with a general annual deductible, and the average deductible for individual coverage is $1,787. High-deductible plans are now common, meaning that early in the year, many people pay out-of-pocket for most care. But by the fall, they may have met part or all of their deductible.
Once you’ve hit your plan’s out-of-pocket maximum, insurance pays 100% of covered costs for the rest of the benefit year. For Marketplace and individual plans, the benefit year always runs from January 1 through December 31, giving policyholders a clear window to maximize their coverage.
If you’ve already met your deductible or out-of-pocket maximum for the year, enrolling in treatment now could mean paying little or nothing out-of-pocket.
Financial Barriers Keep People From Seeking Care
Cost remains one of the biggest obstacles to treatment. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports that “could not afford the cost” is among the top reasons people with a substance use disorder didn’t receive treatment in the past year.
The Recovery Village’s own national alcohol use survey found that financial cost was the #1 reason participants delayed or avoided professional help for alcohol addiction. Reducing that cost barrier by using insurance benefits that are already paid down can make the difference between postponing care and beginning recovery.
Why Timing Matters Clinically, Too
Beyond finances, there are seasonal and emotional reasons to start treatment before the new year. The holidays can be especially difficult for people managing stress, anxiety, depression or substance use. Holiday events can trigger those in recovery to relapse, or incite heavy use and dangerous behaviors. In December 2022, 1,062 people died in drunk-driving crashes — the highest December total since 2007 — showing how the season can heighten risk-taking.
Meanwhile, symptoms of seasonal affective disorder typically begin in late fall or early winter, and shorter days and holiday pressures can worsen existing mental health conditions like depression or anxiety. Starting care now provides structure and clinical support to navigate these challenges and enter the new year already on a path to recovery.
How The Recovery Village Can Help
The Recovery Village’s nationwide network of treatment centers offers evidence-based care for substance use and mental health disorders. Our facilities offer a full continuum of care, so patients can begin care at the level that meets their clinical needs and insurance coverage:
- Medical Detox: For safely managing withdrawal from alcohol or drugs under 24/7 supervision.
- Inpatient Substance Abuse Rehab: A structured, residential setting with intensive therapy and medical support for substance abuse.
- Inpatient Mental Health Rehab: A subacute, voluntary mental health program where patients live onsite, receive intensive therapy and start their recovery fresh.
- Outpatient Rehab: Flexible therapy that fits around work, school and family commitments.
Each level of care includes physician-led, evidence-based programming designed to treat both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction and mental health. Whether you’re entering detox, transitioning from inpatient care or beginning outpatient therapy, our admissions specialists can verify your insurance benefits and help you understand how much — or how little — you may need to pay before your deductible resets.
Make the Most of This Year’s Benefits
Getting treatment at the end of the year can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs — but more importantly, it can help you start next year stronger, healthier and already in recovery.
If you’ve been considering treatment, contact The Recovery Village now to verify your benefits and explore your options. Using your insurance coverage to begin healing today could be the smartest investment you make this year.
