A woman shares her experiences during a group therapy session while others listen attentively
Overview

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, depression and other health conditions.
  • An additional 9% of the population are at an even higher risk and may require primary care clinician referral for treatment to a chemical dependency professional. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) found that primary care clinicians play a critical role here, too.
Step 2: Brief behavioral counseling and treatment referral
  • Counseling and interventions regarding lifestyle change with follow-up are appropriate for AUDIT scores 8-19. This can produce 7-14% reduction in alcohol consumption over six to 12 months or longer.
  • Treatment referral to a CD professional for a face-to-face consultation for AUDIT scores 20 or higher.
More information

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 (PDF).

For assistance in finding a participating alcohol or substance abuse clinician, please ask your HealthPartners-insured members to call our behavioral health navigators or Member Services.

  • Call behavioral health navigators
  • Call the Member Services number on the back of their member ID card
Resources Practitioner resources Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) (PDF) Screening, Brief Intervention/Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) (PDF) Adolescent SBIRT resources Trauma Center Patients (PDF) Patient education and handouts Rethinking Drinking Brochure (PDF) Rethinking Drinking Additional support and education National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration American College of Emergency Physicians