Online IOP for College Students and Emerging Adults in MA & VT
Treatment Costs
At the Austen Riggs Center, our approach to treatment is tailored to the needs of each individual, and as a result, each patient’s costs vary accordingly. For patients in our residential treatment program, we work on an out-of-network basis with insurance, and some patients receive insurance reimbursements to help offset the cost of treatment.
Riggs offers a range of treatment programs. All patients begin with a six-week evaluation and treatment period. This initial phase is an active clinical process designed to help patients, families, and treatment teams understand the patterns underlying the patient’s difficulties, clarify what kind of care is needed, and develop recommendations for next steps. These recommendations include whether continued treatment at Riggs is clinically indicated and, if so, what form it should take.
The cost of the six-week evaluation and treatment period is $97,000*, which includes a $2,500 admission consultation fee. A refundable payment of $60,000, applied to the cost of treatment, is required on the day of admission. We encourage you to contact our Admissions team for information specific to your situation.
The total length of stay varies. Some patients complete treatment after the initial six-week period, while others continue in residential or step-down programs when clinically indicated. Patients who continue in treatment for longer periods may be able to step down, when clinically appropriate, to less costly programs that are less intensively staffed.
Fees include room and board, individual psychotherapy four times a week, pharmacotherapy, clinical casework and family work when indicated, nursing care, fitness classes, access to the Therapeutic Community Program, and access to the Activities Program. On occasion, due to holidays or therapist absences, interim therapy sessions may occur two times a week.
Some patients with out-of-network insurance benefits are able to obtain partial reimbursement to help finance treatment. We work with patients and families to support efforts to obtain insurance coverage. However, the individual accepting financial responsibility for a patient’s treatment is ultimately responsible for payment. The financially responsible party is expected to keep the account current regardless of the amount of anticipated insurance benefits.
Financial assistance based on need may be available. You can learn more about our approach to cost and financial assistance, and access application materials below.
* As of 7/1/26; subject to change
View our Program Rate Schedule or download it below:
Financial Assistance
Over the past five years, Riggs has provided $5 million in financial assistance and discounts. The Center offers financial assistance based on need after review of the resources available in the context of the patient’s treatment plan. The financially responsible party may complete a Financial Assistance Application prior to admission or at any time during treatment. After considering all relevant factors we may provide financial assistance of up to 35%.
In the event of a sudden change in financial resources, patients may re-apply for termination phase financial assistance, which may exceed 35% for brief periods. Financial assistance is not retroactive but may be offered from the date of filing a completed application. Therefore, we encourage the responsible party to complete the application as soon as possible. Failure to keep an account current without a mutually agreeable payment plan will jeopardize financial assistance.
For accounts not receiving financial assistance, the Center offers a 3% prompt payment discount when payment by check or wire transfer is received by the 10th of the month.
If you would like to apply, please click the link below to complete the Financial Assistance Application and submit the required documentation. If you have any questions or would like guidance before applying, our Business Office team is available to assist you at 413.931.5890.
Health Insurance Coverage
The Austen Riggs Center is not an “in-network provider” with any health insurance plans and is not eligible for Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement. Riggs is primarily a private-pay facility. However, when out of network benefits are available, we actively support families and patients in navigating the process of seeking reimbursement.
Your responsibilities:
- Know your policy’s benefits and limits, including whether your plan covers out-of-network residential treatment for behavioral health problems and if preauthorization is required before they will approve admission
- You may consider asking your referring clinician to write a letter supporting the need for residential treatment
- Prior to admission, contact your insurance company to inform them of your potential admission and authorize contact with Austen Riggs
- (If/when denied after initial authorization) Initiate and manage the insurance appeals process*
* It is your responsibility to (1) provide your insurance company a written request for an appeal; (2) sign a release for medical records to be sent to your insurance company; and (3) you may opt to request a letter of medical necessity from your therapist.
Our responsibilities: To the best of our ability, we will:
- Request preauthorization from your insurance company (within 48 hours) after the initial admission consultation and subsequent admission to Riggs; we cannot request preauthorization if: (1) new insurance becomes effective during ongoing treatment, and/or (2) your policy has no out-of-network residential benefit
- Notify you in writing if preauthorization is approved, and participate in ongoing utilization reviews as directed by your insurance company for as long as coverage is authorized during your stay
- Conduct a doctor-to-doctor peer review with the insurance company if preauthorization is denied; if this results in a second denial, Riggs will notify you in writing, after which it is your responsibility to pursue any further appeal**
** If requested, we can be of limited assistance in the appeals process, such as by providing supporting documentation or copies of medical records, but we do not track the appeals process and are not notified of its outcome.
Note: Upon request, Riggs will submit claims directly to the insurance company for days that are pre-authorized for coverage by insurance. When insurance denies coverage, claims are no longer submitted by Riggs. You and/or the financially responsible party are responsible for keeping the account current. Insurance payments received by Riggs are credited to your account; if there is a credit balance at discharge, it is returned to the financially responsible party.
View our Financial Assistance Policy or download it below: