How To Open A Rehab In Missouri

A How to Guide to Opening, Licensing and Accrediting a Drug Rehab in Missouri

It’s no secret the fentanyl crisis has hit Missouri hard. Missouri is one of only nine states with a high rate (29 or more per 100,000 persons aged 15 or older in 2017) of fentanyl toxicology reports. That’s a lot of fentanyl and it’s not slowing down.

What’s surprising is that starting in 2016, the opioid overdose rate among Black men across Missouri began climbing to nearly three times the overdose rate for white men. It’s clear that access to treatment is also bound by racial lines with minorities receiving the short end of the stick.

Fortunately Missouri  state and local governments were allocated $58.3 million from drug distributors and $30.5 million from Janssen, the pharmaceutical company owned by Johnson & Johnson for local substance abuse treatment  Like Mississippi, these funds will be available only to Community Mental Health Services (MHBG) and Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SABG).You must be certified for Medicaid if you wish to receive state funding.

Presently Missouri mandates that certain addiction treatment centers obtain state certification or licensing. The Division of Behavioral Health in Missouri requires certification for all Substance Use Disorder (SUD) centers and mental health service providers aiming to receive state funds or participate in public funding programs.

However, if you plan to operate your center solely on a private pay basis and have no intention of seeking grants or state funds, certification is not mandatory in Missouri.

There’s a catch. If you wish to negotiate contract with insurance providers, you will need additional certification like Joint Commission or CARF. Which certification depends on the contracts you wish to obtain.

Why Hire a Drug Rehab Consultant?

Opening and operating a drug rehab is no small feat. Even with the relaxed licensing requirements, you will still need to develop a brand, pick a location, build an evidenced based curriculum, hire staff and market your program to just name a few things. You will also need to fundraise accordingly. Be ready to fund a treatment center for several months (if all goes well) before insurance reimbursements arrive.

At Orion we have been through this process many times. We understand the complexities of the addiction treatment industry and can help you find quick solutions. Reach out to a consultant today.