How to obtain Alcohol/Drug Treatment in Minnesota 

Due to the fact that I have had numerous calls recently regarding how one begins attending an outpatient/non-residential alcohol/drug treatment program, I will explain as best I can the process.

The first things a program will ask you is:

1.  Do you have a recent (within 45 days) Rule 25 Assessment?

2. Do you have insurance or what is your funding source?

A Rule 25 Assessment documents whether or not an individual has a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) diagnosis and if any level of care is recommended.  A Substance Use Disorder (SUD) diagnosis can range from mild, moderate, or severe.  An example would be an Alcohol Use Disorder/ Mild.  The Level of care recommendation can range from one of the multiple levels of non-residential/outpatient treatment or one of the multiple levels of residential/inpatient treatment.

A treatment program could actually do a Comprehensive  Substance Use Assessment in place of a Rule 25 Assessment if the client’s funding source, insurance, consolidated funding, or private-pay, would accept it as the document which indicates  a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) diagnosis and the non-residential/outpatient level of care.

If someone does not have insurance and cannot afford to pay out of pocket for any treatment cost, they should contact their county of residence who will assist them in obtaining state insurance and/or see if they qualify for consolidated  insurance.   From the MHCP website,

‘ • Funding for substance use disorder (SUD) services are covered by the Consolidated Chemical Dependency Treatment Fund (CCDTF) for Medical Assistance (MA) and MinnesotaCare fee-for-service payment.• People who are not enrolled with a Minnesota Health Care Program (MHCP) can receive SUD services through the CCDTF if they meet CCDTF income and household size guidelines.’

I hope this clears up some of the mystery of how to get into a Minnesota Substance Use Disorder (SUD)  Alcohol/Drug Treatment center.