New York State has one of the most comprehensive publicly funded addiction treatment systems in the country. The state expanded Medicaid, invests heavily in OASAS-licensed programs, and has allocated over $200 million in opioid settlement funds specifically for treatment access. If you live in New York and need help, cost should not be a barrier.

New York Medicaid coverage

New York expanded Medicaid under the ACA, meaning adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level qualify for coverage. For a single person in 2026, that is roughly $21,000 per year. New York Medicaid covers the full continuum of addiction treatment: detox, residential, PHP, IOP, outpatient, MAT, and recovery support services — all at no cost to the patient.

Apply at nystateofhealth.ny.gov or visit your local Department of Social Services. Many treatment centers will help you apply for Medicaid as part of the intake process, and coverage can be retroactive to the date of application.

OASAS-funded treatment programs

The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) licenses and funds over 1,600 treatment programs across the state. These programs serve patients regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. OASAS operates a 24/7 HOPEline at (877) 846-7369 that provides free referrals to local treatment.

New York City options

Manhattan

NYC Health + Hospitals operates free addiction treatment through Bellevue, Harlem Hospital, and Metropolitan Hospital. The Addiction Institute of Mount Sinai provides sliding-scale outpatient services. Odyssey House offers free residential treatment for adults and families.

Brooklyn and Queens

SUNY Downstate Addiction Services, Samaritan Village, and Daytop Village provide free treatment options. NYC Health + Hospitals Kings County and Elmhurst offer free detox and outpatient services. South Beach Psychiatric Center serves Staten Island.

The Bronx

Albert Einstein College of Medicine Division of Substance Abuse, BronxCare, and PROMESA provide free treatment. The Bronx has some of the highest need and highest capacity for free treatment in the city.

Upstate New York

Upstate regions including Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Albany have OASAS-funded programs with generally shorter wait times than New York City. The Capital District, Finger Lakes, and Western NY regions each have multiple free residential programs. Rural counties are served by telehealth and mobile treatment teams funded through OASAS.

Specialized free programs

  • Veterans: VA New York Harbor, VA Hudson Valley, and VA Northport provide free treatment for eligible veterans
  • Women: Odyssey House, Samaritan Village, and STEPS to End Family Violence offer free women-specific programs
  • Youth: Phoenix House Academy and Outreach House serve adolescents at no cost
  • LGBTQ+: Callen-Lorde Community Health Center provides affirming treatment on a sliding scale
  • Homeless individuals: BRC, The Doe Fund, and Coalition for the Homeless connect homeless New Yorkers with free treatment
New York residents have more free treatment options than almost any other state. Call the OASAS HOPEline at (877) 846-7369 or search RehabLookup to find programs near you.