Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment
Volume 17, Issue 1 , Pages 25-35, July 1999

Implications of Managed Care for Methadone Treatment:

Findings From Five Case Studies in New York State

  • Gary A Zarkin, phd

      Affiliations

    • Health and Human Resource Economics Program, Research Triangle Institute, Center for Economics Research, Research Triangle Park, NC USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationRequests for reprints should be addressed to Gary A. Zarkin, PhD, Director of Health and Human Resource Economics, Center for Economics Research, Research Triangle Institute, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194.
  • ,
  • Laura J Dunlap, ma

      Affiliations

    • Health and Human Resource Economics Program, Research Triangle Institute, Center for Economics Research, Research Triangle Park, NC USA

Received 1 December 1997; accepted 10 June 1998.

Abstract 

Several policy changes are being debated in New York State that may affect the financing and delivery of methadone maintenance treatment. The goals of this article are to provide greater understanding of the potential impact of managed care on methadone treatment in New York State, and greater understanding of the consequences of arbitrary limits on methadone treatment. Toward these goals, in October 1996, we conducted 1-day site visits at five methadone treatment programs in New York State to learn their views and concerns, and to examine their strategic responses to potential changes in treatment financing and delivery. The treatment programs we visited expressed concern about subjecting methadone patients to any of the potential policy changes because they felt that, if implemented without regard for the special needs of methadone patients, these reforms could hurt treatment access, retention, and quality of care. All the programs stated that limits on treatment would increase drug use and, consequently, increase crime and risk of infectious disease, and cause overall deterioration of the community.

Keywords:  managed care, methadone, New York State, workfare

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 This study was funded by a contract through the Opioid Addiction Treatment Improvement Project (OATIP), under the direction of Project Director, Sharon Dow. Research Triangle Institute was a subcontractor to OATIP.

PII: S0740-5472(98)00062-2

Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment
Volume 17, Issue 1 , Pages 25-35, July 1999