The costs of the substance abuse treatment system are a critical concern for policy makers, payers, and managers of treatment facilities. Using data from a national random survey of treatment facilities and client discharge records (the Alcohol and Drug Services Study, ADSS), we are estimating the costs of substance abuse treatment by episode of care and by day in treatment. As previous research has shown the difficulty in obtaining accurate financial data, we created an interactive computer spreadsheet with 50 consistency checks to validate reported data. For example, the spreadsheet compared the expected number of clients in care (computed as admissions times client length of stay divided by 365 days) against the reported number and resolved any inconsistencies. More intensive services may affect treatment but raise costs of an episode of care. These patterns will be examined by type of treatment (e.g. outpatient or residential) and by population group (e.g., women, adolescents, and racial groups).
Learning Objectives: 1. Learn how intensity of substance abuse treatment services affect cost of treatment. 2. Understand how cost varies by treatment type and population groups can guide policy making
Keywords: Substance Abuse Treatment,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.