Growth in spending for substance abuse treatment services for the privately insured population

Between 2004 and 2012, per capita spending on SUD treatment services for the commercially
insured increased by 15.4 percent annually, compared to 4.4 percent for all services,
and 5.4 percent for mental health services. After 2009, overall health spending growth
decreased from 5.2 percent to 3.1 percent annually, while SUD spending rapidly escalated,
more than doubling (10.4% to 24.2% annually). This acceleration occurred for inpatient
and outpatient care.

Outpatient care, particularly for drug abuse services, accounted for two-thirds of
2009–2012 spending growth, increasing at 33.8 percent annually. Price-per-outpatient
visit grew at 2.3 percent prior to 2009, and 14 percent after. Outpatient visit utilization
growth tripled (from 5.1% to 16.6% annually). While prior to 2009, SUD treatment medications
grew rapidly (from a small base), spending growth slowed after 2009 (especially alcohol
treatment medications), similar to that of general health medications.