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Managed care and access to substance abuse treatment services

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Abstract

Using nationally representative data from 1995 and 2000, this study examined how managed care penetration and other organizational characteristics were related to accessibility to outpatient substance abuse treatment. At an organizational level, access was measured as the percentage of clients unable to pay for services; the percentage of clients receiving a reduced fee; and the percentage of clients with shortened treatment because of their inability to pay. Treatment units with both relatively low and relatively high managed care penetration were more likely to support access to care; these units provided care to higher percentages of clients unable to pay and were less likely to shorten treatment because of client inability to pay. Treatment units with midrange managed care penetration were least likely to support access to care. The complexity of managing in an environment of conflicting incentives may reduce the organization's ability to serve those with limited financial means.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Management and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 109 S. Observatory St., M3507 SPH II, 48109-2029, Ann Arbor, MI

    Jeffrey A. Alexander PhD (Richard Carl Jelinek Professor of Health Management and Policy), Tammie A. Nahra PhD (Project Manager) & John R. C. Wheeler PhD (Professor)

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  1. Jeffrey A. Alexander PhD
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  2. Tammie A. Nahra PhD
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  3. John R. C. Wheeler PhD
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Correspondence to Jeffrey A. Alexander PhD.

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Alexander, J.A., Nahra, T.A. & Wheeler, J.R.C. Managed care and access to substance abuse treatment services. The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research 30, 161–175 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02289805

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