Tami L. Mark, PhD¹, Rita Vandivort-Warren, ACSW², Rosanna M. Coffey, PhD³, Henrick J Harwood⁴, Joan D Dilonardo, PhD⁵, Ellen Bouchery⁴, Edward C King⁶, Jim Genuardi⁷, and David McKusick, PhD⁷. (1) Outcomes Research and Econometrics, Medstat, 4301 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, 202-719-7832, Tami.Mark@Medstat.com, (2) Division of Policy Coordination, OPPB, OA, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Adm., HHS, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 10-99, Parklawn Bldg, Rockville, MD 20857, (3) The Medstat Group, 4301 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, (4) The Lewin Group, Inc, 3130 Fairview Park Drive, Suite 800, Falls Church, VA 22042, (5) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Rockwall II Building, Suite 740, 5515 Security Lane, Rockville, MD 20852, (6) Actuarial Research Corporation, 5513 Twin Knolls Road, Suite 213, Columbia, MD 21045, (7) The Actuarial Research Group, 5513 Twin Knolls Road, Suite 213, Columbia, MD 21045

OBJECTIVE: Since 1997, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has been sponsoring a project to develop estimates of what the Nation spends on substance use disorder and mental health treatment. Estimates from the study have been widely reported in such publications as the Surgeon General’s Report on Mental Health. The goal of this presentation is to describe that databases and methods that are used to develop the estimates. By the end, the audience will learn about various data sources for understanding substance use disorder treatment and trends. RESULTS: Two key databases are the surveys of mental health and substance abuse providers conducted by the Office of Applied Services within SAMHSA. These surveys are usually conducted annually and biannually and represent a census of facilities. Other key data sources are the National Health Accounts produced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Medical Expenditures Panel (MEPS) data collected by the Agency for Health Care Quality (AHRQ), and national provider utilization surveys such as the NHIS, NAMCS and NHAMS conducted by National Centers for Health Statistics within the Centers of Disease Control. Each data source presents a different aspect of the treatment system and has its own strengths and limitations. CONCLUSION: The Federal government collects a wealth of data with which to compile national estimates of expenditures on substance abuse treatment over time. Understanding the nuances of these data sources is critical to developing a valid and informative picture of the substance abuse treatment system.

Learning Objectives:

• The goal of this presentation is to describe that databases and methods that are used to develop the estimates. The audience will learn about various data sources for understanding substance use disorder treatment and trends.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.