Online IOP for College Students and Emerging Adults in MA & VT
Treatment Cost, Insurance, and Financial Assistance
At the Austen Riggs Center, the cost of treatment varies by program, length of stay, and level of services. 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.
We Talk About Cost Early
Riggs is a private-pay treatment program. Cost is real, and we discuss it before admission—not after—so patients and families can make decisions with the full financial picture in view.
Because every patient’s situation is different, we encourage you to contact our Admissions team for information specific to your circumstances, including cost, insurance reimbursement, financial assistance, and timing.
Current Treatment Rates
Six-week evaluation and treatment period
Cost: $97,000
All patients begin with a six-week evaluation and treatment period. The cost of this six-week 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.
The six-week period is not a passive assessment. Patients are actively engaged in treatment from the beginning. The period includes intensive psychotherapy, psychiatric evaluation, participation in the therapeutic community, psychological testing, family meetings when clinically indicated, and a case conference in which the full clinical team develops a shared formulation and recommendation.
What Is Included in the Six-Week Cost
The six-week evaluation and treatment period includes:
- Pre-admission clinical consultation
- Four-times-weekly individual psychotherapy with a psychiatrist or psychologist
- Psychiatric evaluation and medication management
- Full participation in the therapeutic community
- Psychological testing
- Family meetings when clinically indicated
- Activities Program participation
- Nursing and medical services
- Room and board
- Case conference, clinical formulation, and treatment recommendations
On occasion, due to holidays or therapist absences, interim therapy sessions may occur two times per week.
What Is Not Included
Some costs are billed separately, including:
- Medications
- Outside medical or dental care
- Laboratory or diagnostic tests ordered outside the Center
- Personal expenses
Questions about specific inclusions or billing arrangements can be addressed directly with the Admissions team before admission.
If Treatment Continues After Six Weeks
Some patients complete treatment after the six-week evaluation and treatment period. Others continue in residential treatment or move to a step-down or transitional program when clinically appropriate.
If treatment continues beyond the first six weeks, patients are billed at the applicable daily rate. The same core clinical team—therapist, psychiatrist, and social worker—remains involved, supporting continuity in the work.
The median length of stay at Riggs is approximately five months, though there is no fixed length of stay. Treatment continues as long as the patient is making meaningful use of the work and the level of care remains clinically appropriate.
Patients who move to step-down or transitional programs are billed at the applicable daily program rate (see current rate sheet above).
Insurance and Reimbursement
Austen Riggs is not in-network with any insurance plans and is not eligible for Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement. Treatment is private-pay.
When patients have out-of-network mental health benefits, Riggs works with patients and families to pursue insurance coverage for treatment. However, the individual accepting financial responsibility for treatment is ultimately responsible for payment. The financially responsible party is expected to keep the account current regardless of anticipated insurance benefits.
How Riggs Supports Out-of-Network Reimbursement
When out-of-network benefits are available, Riggs can help by:
- Requesting preauthorization after admission when applicable
- Participating in utilization reviews while coverage is authorized
- Conducting doctor-to-doctor peer review if preauthorization is denied
- Providing clinical documentation to support appeals or external review when appropriate
- Submitting claims directly for days that are pre-authorized for coverage
The amount reimbursed varies significantly by plan, deductible, out-of-pocket maximum, and the insurer’s determination of medical necessity. Admissions can help you understand what questions to ask your insurer before admission.
Financial Assistance
Limited need-based financial assistance is available. Eligibility is assessed based on income, household size, assets, available resources, and other financial factors.
Riggs may provide financial assistance of up to 35%. In 2025, Riggs provided approximately $2 million in financial support across all programs.
Financial assistance is reviewed confidentially before admission whenever possible. Admissions can walk you through the process and help you understand what information is needed.
Questions About Cost and Billing
For questions about cost, billing, and the financial assistance application process, our Business Office team is available to assist you at 413.931.5890.
Understanding Cost in Context
The cost of not reaching the underlying difficulty can be high.
Many people who consider Riggs have already spent significant time and money on outpatient treatment, hospitalizations, partial programs, and residential programs that have not produced lasting change. The cumulative cost of repeated, fragmented care is real—and often underestimated.
The six-week evaluation and treatment period is a different kind of investment. Its purpose is not simply to stabilize symptoms. It is designed to help develop a comprehensive formulation of what has been driving the difficulty and to determine whether a sustained course of treatment can help change it.
Whether that investment is right for your family is a decision only you can make. The Admissions team’s role is to make sure you have the information you need before that decision is made.
Treatment Cost Frequently Asked Questions
How much does treatment at Austen Riggs cost?
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.
What is included in the six-week evaluation and treatment period?
The six-week period includes pre-admission consultation, individual psychotherapy, psychiatric evaluation and medication management, psychological testing, therapeutic community participation, family meetings when clinically indicated, activities programming, nursing and medical services, room and board, and the clinical case conference.
Is Austen Riggs covered by insurance?
Riggs is not in-network with any insurance plans and is not eligible for Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement. Treatment is private-pay. Some patients with out-of-network mental health benefits may receive partial reimbursement depending on their plan.
Does Riggs help with insurance reimbursement?
Yes. When out-of-network benefits are available, Riggs works with patients and families to pursue reimbursement. This may include preauthorization requests, utilization reviews, peer review, claims submission for pre-authorized days, and clinical documentation for appeals.
Is financial assistance available?
Yes. Need-based financial assistance may be available on a limited basis. Eligibility is reviewed confidentially and may provide assistance of up to 35%, depending on financial circumstances and the treatment plan.
What happens after the six-week period?
Some patients complete treatment after six weeks. Others continue in residential treatment or move to step-down, transitional, Day Treatment, or Aftercare programming when clinically appropriate. Continued treatment is billed at the applicable daily rate.
Who should I contact with cost questions?
Admissions can discuss cost, insurance reimbursement, financial assistance, and timing before any decisions are made. A first call is not a commitment.