Public hospitals and substance abuse services for pregnant women and mothers: implications for managed-care programs and Medicaid.

Although an increasing proportion of the US population receives health services through managed care, pregnant women and mothers eligible for Medicaid who are involved with alcohol or other drugs are often excluded from these programs due in large part to lack of information on costs, service needs, and service use. To develop such information policy, service settings, and managed-care plans, the project conducted a national survey using a provider group with experience in caring for this population, the member universe of the National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems. The survey requested detailed information on hospital system information, current managed-care arrangements, outcome measurements, financing, service priorities, and service availability. The 81% response rate (n = 95) identified 35 hospital systems providing services to an average of 998 women in 1997. The majority of these systems (69%) reported coordinating care for these patients, but only 26% reported they computerize patient charts. Most use at least one indicator to measure effectiveness, and 50% use at least four. Counseling/education and transportation were seen as key support services, but many acknowledge they are not reimbursed for critical services such as nutrition education. The discussion highlights the need to provide formal support for core support services, to assist in care coordination and provide incentives for developing more sophisticated information, and to specify related services in the state Medicaid contract language.