How To Open A Rehab in Maine
A How to Guide to Opening Excellent Addiction and Behavioral Health Treatment in Maine
Maine doesn’t get a lot of attention for its addiction problem but the Northeastern state is no stranger to large numbers of people overdosing especially given the small size of the population.
In fact, the number of total overdoses in Maine exceeded 9,500 last year. A record high 627 Mainers died from drug overdoses in 2021, and according to unofficial figures recently released 716 people died of overdose in 20222 which is 13% higher than 2021. These numbers are shocking and only climbing.
Undoubtedly, high quality treatment is much need. Finding the greatest area of need or level of care will take some market research but the demand is clearly exceeding available treatment. Before opening a drug rehab in Maine, get to know communities and take care to understand how best to help.
Likely the best way to help is offering more in-network care on an out-patient basis. As you will see below the licensing requirement in Maine do not require additional accreditation like Joint Commission or CARF but being able to negotiate in-network contracts will be dependent on your ability to prove you are offering high quality evidence based care.
How to License an Addiction Treatment Center in Maine
According to Maine’s Office of Substance Abuse which is administered through the Department of Health and Human Services, anyone providing treatment in the state must obtain a license.There is an exception for residential hospital programs that have already be accredited by Joint Commission.
Maine is a small state. Consequently, there is little information on the state website about the licensure process with the exception of a 137 page manual of regulations expected to attain a license. There are however two applications, one for substance abuse agencies and one for mental health agencies. Read explanations carefully to make sure you pick the right one.
They do offer a quick turn around which is nice. It is expected that the process will be completed within 90 days of submitting a completed application packet. A license will be granted for one year if the applicant has submitted all necessary procedures and documentation. While not explicit, the process looks very standard from Fire Marshall approval to proof of financing.
How Much Does it Cost to Open a Drug Rehab in Maine?
At Orion Treatment Consulting, we are constantly asked how much it “should” cost to open an addiction treatment center. This answer is entirely dependent on location, level of care, ability to attain insurance contracts, and size of facility.
There are expected costs like being able to float a staff for several months before the first insurance reimbursement arrives. Then there are unexpected costs like having to fix a broken toilet or having to hire and train a position more than once.
Why Hire a Addiction Treatment Consultant?
Orion Treatment Consultants have opened several treatment centers and have assisted in the opening of over 50 more. We understand the cultural nuances and subtle intricacies of the addiction medicine industry. We recognize the importance of doing it right the first time. If you have just started the process of opening a treatment center or you are struggling to get through the licensure process, we can help guide the way. Reach out to a consultant today.
