Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral for Treatment (SBIRT)
Screening for substance abuse, including alcohol, illegal drugs, and prescription medications, should be a regular part of health care.
According to national data, nearly one-fourth of patients seeking routine hospital care have an active addiction. Many people go untreated for substance use disorders due to a lack of screening and diagnosis.
You could help identify an addiction problem early, which could help get your patient into treatment early. The potential for drug and alcohol misuse is everywhere — in our homes, our schools, our workplaces, and our communities. Talk with your patients. They’ll listen to you.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), SBIRT is a comprehensive, integrated, public health approach to the delivery of early intervention and treatment services for persons with substance use disorders, as well as those who are at risk of developing these disorders.
SBIRT billing codes
The codes are applicable to fee-for-service and managed care. At this time, only physicians and physician extenders can render SBIRT services. This includes the following provider types:
- 25 — MD
- 26 — DO
- 29 — PA
- 30 — APRN
As any of these provider types, you can be reimbursed for SBIRT based on the table below.
| Medicaid | Code | Description | Fee schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| H0049 | Alcohol and/or drug screening | $24.00 | |
| H0050 | Alcohol and/or drug screening, brief intervention, per 15 minutes | $48.00 |