Medicare's Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) Services

by  Wyn Staheli, Director of Content - innoviHealth
Nov 17th, 2014 - Reviewed/Updated Apr 30th

Medicare understands that there are individuals who may not meet the diagnostic criteria for substance abuse but who are still at risk. To help identify these individuals and take steps to keep them from reaching the level of abuse, Medicare has established a program called the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) Services.

For Medicares Fact Sheet (ICN 904084) regarding this program, review the “Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) Services.” This fact sheet is designed to provide education on documentation, billing, treatment programs, and fee schedules for screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment services. It includes an early intervention approach that targets those with non-dependent substance use to provide effective strategies for intervention prior to the need for more extensive or specialized treatment.

These early intervention services are not just for behavioral health providers. Rather, they are intended to be utilized by the following types of healthcare providers:

• Physicians
• Physician Assistants
• Nurse Practitioners
• Clinical Nurse Specialists
• Clinical Psychologists
• Clinical Social Workers
• Certified Nurse Midwives