The Aetna Alcohol Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)
One out of every 12 adults — a total of 17.6 million Americans — suffers from alcohol abuse, according to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. Millions more are at risk of developing alcohol related problems. Alcohol abuse can have long-reaching impacts on your health and overall quality of life. In addition to affecting your mental health, career, finances, and personal relationships, it is also the country’s third most common lifestyle-related cause of death. But help is available. Aetna alcohol rehab coverage includes the Aetna Alcohol Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) program, a valuable tool for healthcare professionals serving patients who are at risk for alcohol abuse.
Why SBIRT?
Aimed at improving care for patients, families and communities impacted by alcohol abuse, SBIRT was designed based on research-backed protocols established by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).
The goal is to promote alcohol screenings, interventions, and referrals to treatment within primary care settings. Available to all primary care doctors treating patients over the age of 18 with Aetna health insurance coverage, the Aetna alcohol rehab coverage program is a response to clinical trials which have indicated the role brief interventions can play in helping at risk individuals who do not self-identify before they become alcohol dependent.
How SBIRT Works
The NIAAA publication, Helping Patients Who Drink Too Much: A Clinician’s Guide, prescribes a useful set of protocols for alcohol treatment. Aetna alcohol rehab coverage incorporates this information into a four-step program, including a simple screening with an optional self-reporting instrument; a clinician assessment; a clinician recommendation based on that assessment; and reinforcement and support through follow-up visits.
SBIRT is a reimbursable service, and can be started by following the steps cited in Helping Patients Who Drink Too Much. Research has shown significant improvement among patients who complete alcohol treatment programs like SBIRT. Studies also show improvements for patients who refuse referrals but continue with alcohol-focused visits with their primary care physicians.
With so many adults facing alcohol abuse or dependence problems in the United States, Aetna alcohol rehab coverage is a valuable resource for physicians, along with a critical lifeline for patients and their families.