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The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research
Published in: The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research 3/2006

01-07-2006 | Regular Article

Medical Cost-Offset Following Treatment Referral for Alcohol and Other Drug Use Disorders in a Group Model HMO

Authors: Michael R. Polen, PhD, Donald K. Freeborn, PhD, Frances L. Lynch, PhD, John P. Mullooly, PhD, Daniel M. Dickinson, MA, CADC

Published in: The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research | Issue 3/2006

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether specialty alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment is associated with reduced subsequent medical care costs. AOD treatment costs and medical costs in a group model health maintenance organization (HMO) were collected for up to 6 years on 1,472 HMO members who were recommended for specialty AOD treatment, and on 738 members without AOD diagnoses or treatment. Addiction Severity Index measures were also obtained from a sample of 293 of those recommended for treatment. Changes in medical costs did not differ between treatment and comparison groups. Nor did individuals with improved treatment outcomes have greater reductions in medical costs. AOD treatment costs were not inversely related to subsequent medical costs, except for a subgroup with recent AOD treatment. In the interviewed sample, better treatment outcomes did not predict lower subsequent medical costs. Multiple treatment episodes may hold promise for producing cost-offsets.
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Metadata
Title
Medical Cost-Offset Following Treatment Referral for Alcohol and Other Drug Use Disorders in a Group Model HMO
Authors
Michael R. Polen, PhD
Donald K. Freeborn, PhD
Frances L. Lynch, PhD
John P. Mullooly, PhD
Daniel M. Dickinson, MA, CADC
Publication date
01-07-2006
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research / Issue 3/2006
Print ISSN: 1094-3412
Electronic ISSN: 2168-6793
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-006-9020-8

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