Addiction, Mental Health Interventions Make Fiscal SenseApril 9, 2002
Research Summary
A federal study shows that the cost estimates for six preventive-health interventions only slightly increase insurance premiums while reducing costs of medical treatment in the future, Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly reported March 4.The "Estimating the Cost of Preventive Services in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Under Managed Care" study analyzed the following six services: addiction counseling; prenatal visits for women at risk for alcohol or other drug abuse during pregnancy; smoking-cessation counseling aimed at pregnant women; short-term mental-health therapy; health promotion through self-care education; and pre-surgical education for adults.
According to the study's findings, the average cost per member per month of all six interventions combined was 82 cents, or 0.44 percent of the average premium.
"Since these low-cost interventions have been shown to improve medical outcomes, increase patient satisfaction, and reduce medical use and cost, and given that they would require an increase of less than 0.5 percent of the typical current premiums, managed-care companies should consider implementing such behavioral interventions," the study stated.
The study, funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, can be obtained by calling 800-789-2647.
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