Substance abuse treatment will be considered an essential service, mandating insurers to provide it. They must treat the full spectrum of the disorder, including people who are in the early stages of substance abuse. There will be more prevention, early intervention, and treatment options; the result will be improved less costly outcomes. At present, approximately 13,000 treatment providers for substance use disorders exist; less than half of those are doctors. Following changes with the ACA, 550,000 primary care doctors and nurse practitioners will be caring for these patients (Vimont,
Substance abuse treatment will be considered an essential service, mandating insurers to provide it. They must treat the full spectrum of the disorder, including people who are in the early stages of substance abuse. There will be more prevention, early intervention, and treatment options; the result will be improved less costly outcomes. At present, approximately 13,000 treatment providers for substance use disorders exist; less than half of those are doctors. Following changes with the ACA, 550,000 primary care doctors and nurse practitioners will be caring for these patients (Vimont,