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E-News from Washington February 20, 2002 Vol. 02.04
Study Examines Cost of Preventive Mental Health Services Offered Under Managed Care

Typical costs for providing a range of preventive health services are the subject of Estimating the Cost of Preventive Health Services in Mental Health and Substance Abuse under Managed Care," a study funded by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The study presents cost estimates for providing six preventive interventions including prenatal visits to mothers at rich from substance abuse, targeted cessation counseling for smokers, targeted short-term mental health therapy, health promotion through "self care" education, pre-surgical education for adults, and brief counseling sessions for older adults needing help to reduce their alcohol use.

The estimates project the range of potential costs for members of managed care health plans in a "per member per month" format. Factors weighed include the number of health plan enrollees, prevalence of the target condition, time required to deliver each intervention, number of sessions needed, salaries of those delivering services, and administrative costs.

Smoking cessation programs aimed at pregnant enrollees were shown to help improve health outcomes such as low birth weight and perinatal death. Data found that such programs could demonstrate savings as high as $17 for each dollar spent by the plan.

Another example involved programs to lessen anxiety for adults about to undergo surgical procedures. A model intervention involved a bedside visit by an anesthetist the night before surgery, and further assistance by nurses, mental health professionals, and other health care providers. Workbooks and other materials were also furnished to patients. In their best outcomes, these interventions were reported to increase patient compliance with doctors' orders, reduce the need for narcotics, and reduce the length of hospital stays.

"Estimating the Cost of Preventive Services in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Under Managed Care" was produced by the SAMHSA's Center for Mental Health Services. To obtain a copy of this report, please contact SAMHSA's Knowledge Exchange Network (KEN) at 800-789-2647.

Beth Powell
AMHCA Director of Public Policy and Professional Issues
801 N. Fairfax Street, Suite 304
Alexandria, VA  22314
703-548-6002, ext. 105
www.amhca.org