Practical Reasons to Start Treatment Before the New Year

There are many reasons to enter treatment for an alcohol or substance use disorder. The damage addiction causes to the mind, body, and spirit are well documented. Addiction can impair the ability to meet work obligations. It can disrupt relationships with friends, family, and loved ones. Those are important reasons to seek professional treatment and support for an alcohol or substance use disorder.

However – while those reasons may be practical – there are additional reasons to enter treatment before the end of the year.

Let’s call them pragmatic.

Call (513) 457-7963 now to learn more about our treatment programs!

And by that, we mean financial.

Top Financial Reasons to Enter Treatment Before New Year’s Day

1. Deductibles
   Most deductibles reset on January 1^st. If you’ve met your deductible already, that might mean your insurance provider will completely cover the treatment you receive before your deductibles reset.
2. Out-of-Pocket Maximums
   Like deductibles, most out-of-pocket maximums reset on January 1^st, as well. And like your deductibles, if you’ve already reached your out-of-pocket maximum for the year, your insurance provider may completely cover the treatment you receive before they reset.
3. Unexpected Costs
   Unexpected costs often accompany addiction treatment and support. These may include drug testing while in treatment, costs associated with routine medical issues that arise while you’re in rehab, or costs for medications related to recovery. If you’ve already met your out-of-pocket maximums for the year, you won’t be surprised by any of these costs.
4. Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Funds
   Flexible Spending Accounts are bank accounts that the IRS doesn’t tax that allow you to set aside money to spend toward medical expenses. You can use FSA funds on treatment, medication, medical supplies, and healthcare expenditures. With some exceptions for employer-offered insurance plans, you lose any money you put in an FSA at the end of the year. If you have money left in your FSA now, you can apply it to treatment before January 1^st.
5. Medical Costs are Tax Deductible
   If you haven’t met your deductible, out-of-pocket maximums, or used your FSA dollars, it’s important to know that any money you do spend, out-of-pocket, is tax deductible. That means you can list the money you spend on medical care – which includes addiction treatment – before January 1^st as a deduction on your 2021 tax return.

A New Start for the New Year

While your overall health and wellbeing are the most important reasons to enter treatment, we know that for most people, cost is a significant factor that affects the decision to commit to an intensive treatment program. The five points above may apply to you, or they may not. If they do, then they may help you save a substantial amount of money on treatment – in ways that you may not have considered before now.

The Ridge holds one of the best inpatient treatment facilities with a complete detox program in Cincinnati. Contact us now for more details.