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People searching for low cost rehabs in northeast Wisconsin have a new reason to call the Jackie Nitschke Center.
The Green Bay recovery provider has operated for more than 50 years and funds treatment for residents who can’t afford it through a financial assistance program supported entirely by local donations.
September marks both National Recovery Month and Suicide Prevention Month. The center is using the occasion to reinforce a message its CEO says remains central to getting people into care: addiction is a disease and stigma keeps people from seeking treatment.
The Jackie Nitschke Center offers a full range of care for adults from 24 hour residential inpatient programs to flexible outpatient therapy.
It also provides integrated dual diagnosis treatment for people dealing with addiction alongside mental health disorders plus family support and drug free sober living homes for patients returning to the community.
The center helps more than 500 people each year. The Jackie’s Legacy Financial Assistance Program helps cover treatment costs for people who otherwise couldn’t afford care.
Who Qualifies for Financial Assistance?
The financial assistance fund serves northeast Wisconsin residents who want treatment but face a financial barrier. According to center CEO Abby Brezinski, the program helps people who are ready for recovery but might otherwise go without treatment.
“That is a fund that is through donations within our community,” Brezinski told WBAY. “So it’s individuals that are within Northeast Wisconsin who have a barrier for finances of accessing treatment. That gives individuals within our community who are struggling financially who are ready for recovery gives them the opportunity.”
Scholarship style programs like this are one route to affordable care. You can also find rehab centers that use sliding scale fees based on income along with state funded treatment programs and nonprofit or faith based facilities that don’t charge patients.
Eligibility for free or reduced cost treatment often depends on income insurance status and residency. Uninsured and underinsured people typically have the strongest case for assistance while some programs give priority to pregnant women veterans and people who have experienced an overdose.
Stigma Can Keep People From Treatment
Wisconsin recorded more than 800 deaths from substance use according to the state Department of Health Services. Brezinski said shame can become one of the biggest barriers between those numbers and recovery.
“We need to look at addiction from the disease mindset and we need to take away that stigma,” she said. “Because that stigma is one of the things that prevents people from accessing treatment. And we want to be the place that you call.”
Brezinski also described what she calls the ripple effect of recovery. When individuals become healthier their families workplaces and communities can benefit too.
“And when we talk about the ripple effect of recovery right we’re talking about our community. We’re talking about our families. We’re talking about our workplaces,” Brezinski said. “The ripple effect of having healthy individuals it compounds and lifts up our entire communities.”
How to Find Affordable Treatment
If you live in Green Bay or the surrounding area call the Jackie Nitschke Center and ask about the Jackie’s Legacy program. You can also ask whether residential or outpatient treatment has an available spot.
People elsewhere have several ways to reduce treatment costs:
Ask each facility about scholarships grants and sliding scale fees. Many free rehabs in Wisconsin and other states adjust fees according to what a patient can afford. Check whether you qualify for Medicaid coverage. Wisconsin Medicaid covers substance use treatment and BadgerCare Plus insures many low income adults. If you’re 65 or older or have a qualifying disability ask about Medicare coverage. Medicare pays for medically necessary inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment. Call SAMHSA’s national helpline at 1 800 662 4357 for a free referral to low cost rehabs and state funded programs near you. If you served in the military check your VA and TRICARE benefits. Both can cover addiction treatment and some people may pay little or nothing.
Insurance questions still matter even when a facility’s listed price seems too high. Ask whether your plan covers rehab and what you would have to pay yourself.
Finding Low Cost Rehab
Free and low cost rehabs in Green Bay and throughout Wisconsin exist but they don’t always advertise widely. Donation funded programs such as Jackie’s Legacy can help when insurance and government programs don’t cover the full cost.
Rehabs.org lists free and low cost treatment options across the country. Call
800-914-7089
(
Sponsored)
to find affordable care near you.
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