January 4, 2001

Preventive Interventions under Managed Care: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

This report was written by Sharon Dorfman and published in January 2001. In the report, Dorfman states that programs and services that prevent substance abuse and mental health disorders have the potential to lessen an enormous burden of suffering and to reduce both the cost of future treatment and lost productivity at work and home. The availability and accessibility of these interventions to the millions of Americans whose health care is provided by managed care organizations depend upon the services? status as covered benefits.

To compile and disseminate that evidence, the Offices of Managed Care in both the Center for Mental Health Services and the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, jointly supported this review of the literature on preventive interventions to promote mental health and the use of tobacco, alcohol, and the misuse of licit and illicit drugs. The following six preventive services are recommended for consideration by managed care organizations: 1. Prenatal and infancy home visits. 2. Targeted cessation education and counseling for smokers, especially those who are pregnant. 3. Targeted short-term mental health therapy. 4. Self-care education for adults. 5. Presurgical educational intervention with adults. 6. Brief counseling and advice to reduce alcohol use.