Texas Children’s Health Plan reimburses substance use screening

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]SBIRT stands for Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment.  Texas Children’s Health Plan reimburses for SBIRT services for all patients 10 and older. Screening can be completed by physicians, registered nurses (RNs), advanced practice nurses (APRN), physician assistants (PA), psychologists, licensed clinical social workers (LCSW), licensed professional counselors (LPC), certified nurse midwives (CNM), outpatient hospitals, federally qualified health centers (FQHC), and rural health clinics. A recent survey of pediatricians found that only a minority of pediatricians used validated screening tools for substance abuse screening, and most relied on clinical impressions. Studies have found that only one-third of adolescents excessively using alcohol were detected when pediatricians relied on clinical impressions.  A revised policy statement and a new clinical report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (see additional resources below) contain updated guidance, including screening tools and intervention procedures in support of universal SBIRT practices for adolescent substance abuse in routine health care.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image="4809" img_size="large" alignment="center" label=""][vc_column_text]

Additional information/resources:

• TX Health Steps SBIRT resources: http://www.txhealthsteps.com/cms/?q=node/209

• SBIRT app for iPhone: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sbirt/id877624835?mt=8

• CeSAR: The Center for Adolescent Substance Abuse Research: http://www.ceasar-boston.org/CRAFFT/screenCRAFFT.php  Provides CRAFFT Screens in 13 languages including a CRAFFT Screen that can be self-administered
• Free 4 Hour CME Training Resources: http://psattcelearn.org/courses/4hr_sbirt/

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