FINANCING STRATEGIES FOR DRUG-ABUSE TREATMENT PROGRAMS

Contemporary drug abuse treatment programs exist in an extremely compl ex financing environment. Programs face a myriad of funding sources wi th different eligibility requirements and payment mechanisms that make it difficult for programs to develop a single financing strategy. To complicate the financing process, current funding sources are in a sta te of flux as managed care gains significance in health care reimburse ment. This article will assist drug abuse treatment programs in severa l ways. First, it summarizes information about funding, eligibility re quirements and payment mechanisms. Second, the information is geared t oward drug treatment programs and less toward policymakers. Third, the article describes strategies for obtaining funding, including strateg ies for interacting with managed care. By using these methods for obta ining revenues, it is hoped that drug treatment programs will be able to increase their financing effectiveness.