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Alcohol and risky drinking
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) found that primary care clinicians play a critical role in:
Step 1: Screening and Assessment
- Health care practitioners can accurately identify patients whose patterns of alcohol consumption place them at risk for increased morbidity and mortality.
- Close to 19% of the population engages in risky or hazardous drinking which may impact your patients ability to manage their blood pressure, diabetes or other health conditions like depression.
- An additional 9% of the population are at an even higher risk and may require referral for treatment to a chemical dependency professional. Here too the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) found that primary care clinicians play a critical role.
Step 2: Brief Behavioral Counseling and Treatment Referral
- Counseling and interventions regarding lifestyle change with follow-up is appropriate for AUDIT scores 8-19. This can produce 7% - 14% reduction in alcohol consumption that are sustained over 6- to 12-month periods or longer.
- Treatment referral to a CD professional for a face to face consultation for AUDIT scores 20 or higher.
In addition, incorporating screening and brief intervention into your workflow may accelerate your quality performance in Alcohol Assessment - Adult found in the Clinical Indicator Report. Reimbursement is available using specific SBIRT coding.
For assistance in finding a participating alcohol or substance abuse clinician, please ask your HealthPartners insured members to call: Behavioral Health Navigators at: 952-883-5811 or 1-888-638-8787 or call the Member Services number on the back of the member card.