Abstract
This purpose of this paper is to provide a summary of the cost-effectiveness research for the profession and practice of marriage
and family therapy. Studies based on four sources of data were considered: (1) a western United States HMO covering 180,000
subscribers; (2) the Kansas State Medicaid system with over 300,000 beneficiaries; (3) Cigna, a large Unites States health
insurance benefits management company with more than nine million subscribers; and (4) a marriage and family therapy training
clinic in the western United States serving approximately 300 individuals and families a year. Results from the studies support
the potential for a medical offset effect after couple or family therapy, with the largest reduction occurring for high utilizers
of health care. The studies also show that covering family therapy as a treatment option and marriage and family therapists
as a provider group is not associated with significantly higher treatment costs. An application of cost-effectiveness methodology
to medical family therapy is also considered.
and family therapy. Studies based on four sources of data were considered: (1) a western United States HMO covering 180,000
subscribers; (2) the Kansas State Medicaid system with over 300,000 beneficiaries; (3) Cigna, a large Unites States health
insurance benefits management company with more than nine million subscribers; and (4) a marriage and family therapy training
clinic in the western United States serving approximately 300 individuals and families a year. Results from the studies support
the potential for a medical offset effect after couple or family therapy, with the largest reduction occurring for high utilizers
of health care. The studies also show that covering family therapy as a treatment option and marriage and family therapists
as a provider group is not associated with significantly higher treatment costs. An application of cost-effectiveness methodology
to medical family therapy is also considered.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-13
- DOI 10.1007/s10591-012-9187-5
- Authors
- D. Russell Crane, Marriage and Family Therapy Program, School of Family Life, Brigham Young University, 274 TLRB, Provo, 84602 UT, USA
- Jacob D. Christenson, Marriage and Family Therapy Program, Mount Mercy University, Cedar Rapids, IA, USA
- Journal Contemporary Family Therapy
- Online ISSN 1573-3335
- Print ISSN 0892-2764