NCJ Number
66326
Date Published
1979
Length
28 pages
Annotation
SIX AMERICAN DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAMS WHICH OBTAIN THEIR FUNDING PRIMARILY FROM SOURCES OTHER THAN THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE (NIDA) ARE EXAMINED.
Abstract
AT THE BEGINNING OF THE COMMUNITY-BASED DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAM, NIDA ANTICIPATED THAT, OVER A PERIOD OF 8 YEARS, THE PROGRAMS WOULD BEGIN TO EARN INCOME FROM OTHER SOURCES (THIRD PARTIES, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT, CLIENTS) AND WOULD EVENTUALLY BECOME FINANCIALLY SELF-SUFFICIENT. TO EXPLORE THE TYPES OF THIRD-PARTY FINANCING PROGRAMS, THE MEANS OF OBTAINING FUNDS, AND THE APPLICABILITY TO OTHER PROGRAMS, A SUBCONTRACTING RESEARCH COMPANY EXAMINED NATIONWIDE SIX DRUG ABUSE CENTERS WHICH ARE OPERATING AT AT LEAST 75 PERCENT FINANCIAL SELF-SUFFIENCY: GATEWAY REHABILITATION CENTER (ALIQUIPPA, PENNSYLVANIA), JEFF-GRAND MEDICAL GROUP, INC. (LOS ANGELES AND SAN DIEGO), METHADONE MAINTENANCE HEALTH PROGRAM, CORP. (HARLEM), PHOENIX COMMUNITY SERVICES CENTER (WATTS SECTION OF LOS ANGELES), ROBINWOOD CLINIC, LTD. (DETROIT, MICHIGAN), AND VITAM CENTER, INC. (NORWALK, CONNECTICUT). ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE PROGRAMS THEMSELVES (WHICH WAS TAKEN AT FACE VALUE), ALL PROGRAMS WERE ESTABLISHED IN ENVIRONMENTS WITH DEFINITE THIRD-PARTY REIMBURSEMENT OPPORTUNITIES. PERSISTENCE IN OVERCOMING PERIODS OF FINANCIAL UNCERTAINTY AND CAREFUL MANAGEMENT WERE REQUIRED IN EACH CASE. IN CONTRAST TO POPULAR VIEW, THE PROGRAMS HAD SUPRISINGLY FEW COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIRD-PARTY PAYERS. THE PROGRAMS HAD SEVERAL STRENGTHS IN COMMON: (1) EACH MADE SELF-SUFFICIENCY A MAJOR PROGRAM GOAL, (2) EACH MAINTAINED A HIGHLY VISIBLE PROFILE IN THE COMMUNITY, (3) EACH DEVELOPED A COMPREHENSIVE, DELIBERATE BILLING SYSTEM TO INSURE THE TIMELY ARRIVAL OF PAYMENTS. (SAJ)