M Dewan1. 1. Department of Psychiatry, State University of New York Health Sciences Center at Psychiatry, State University of New York Health Sciences Center at Syracuse, 13210, USA. dewanm@vax.cs.hscsyr.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Managed care organizations prefer putatively less expensive split treatment, i.e., a psychopharmacologist plus a non-M.D. psychotherapist. In this study the cost of integrated care by a psychiatrist was compared with split care. METHOD: Using 1998 fee schedules of seven large managed care organizations (with 54.3% market share and 67.8 million lives) plus Medicare (37 million people), the author modeled clinical scenarios of psychotherapy alone, medication alone, and combined treatment provided by a psychiatrist or split with a psychologist or social worker. RESULTS: Brief psychotherapy by a social worker was the least expensive treatment. When treatment required both psychotherapy and medication, combined treatment by a psychiatrist cost about the same or less than split treatment with a social worker psychotherapist; it was usually less expensive than split treatment with a psychologist psychotherapist. CONCLUSIONS: The integrated biopsychosocial model practiced by psychiatry is both theoretically and economically the preferred model when combined treatment is needed.
OBJECTIVE: Managed care organizations prefer putatively less expensive split treatment, i.e., a psychopharmacologist plus a non-M.D. psychotherapist. In this study the cost of integrated care by a psychiatrist was compared with split care. METHOD: Using 1998 fee schedules of seven large managed care organizations (with 54.3% market share and 67.8 million lives) plus Medicare (37 million people), the author modeled clinical scenarios of psychotherapy alone, medication alone, and combined treatment provided by a psychiatrist or split with a psychologist or social worker. RESULTS: Brief psychotherapy by a social worker was the least expensive treatment. When treatment required both psychotherapy and medication, combined treatment by a psychiatrist cost about the same or less than split treatment with a social worker psychotherapist; it was usually less expensive than split treatment with a psychologist psychotherapist. CONCLUSIONS: The integrated biopsychosocial model practiced by psychiatry is both theoretically and economically the preferred model when combined treatment is needed.
Authors: Laura J Dunlap; Gary A Zarkin; Jeremy W Bray; Michael Mills; Daniel R Kivlahan; James R McKay; Patricia Latham; J Scott Tonigan Journal: Med Care Date: 2010-04 Impact factor: 2.983