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Maeng D, Tsun ZY, Lesch E, Jacobowitz DB, Strawderman RL, Harrington DK, Li Y, Weisman RL, Lamberti JS. Affordability of Forensic Assertive Community Treatment Programs: A Return-on-Investment Analysis. Psychiatr Serv 2023; 74:358-364. [PMID: 36065582 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.20220186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In this study, the authors assessed return on investment (ROI) associated with a forensic assertive community treatment (FACT) program. METHODS A retrospective secondary data analysis of a randomized controlled trial comprising 70 legal-involved patients with severe mental illness was conducted in Rochester, New York. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either FACT or outpatient psychiatric treatment including intensive case management. Unit of service costs associated with psychiatric emergency department visits, psychiatric inpatient days, and days in jail were obtained from records of New York State Medicaid and the Department of Corrections. The total dollar value difference between the two trial arms calculated on a per-patient-per-year (PPPY) basis constituted the return from the FACT intervention. The FACT investment cost was defined by the total additional PPPY cost associated with FACT implementation relative to the control group. ROI was calculated by dividing the return by the investment cost. RESULTS The estimated return from FACT was $27,588 PPPY (in 2019 dollars; 95% confidence interval [CI]=$3,262-$51,913), which was driven largely by reductions in psychiatric inpatient days, and the estimated investment cost was $18,440 PPPY (95% CI=$15,215-$21,665), implying an ROI of 1.50 (95% CI=0.35-2.97) for FACT. CONCLUSIONS The Rochester FACT program was associated with approximately $1.50 return for every $1 spent on its implementation, even without considering potential returns from other sources, including reductions in acute medical care, crime-related damages, and public safety costs. ROI estimates were highly dependent on context-specific factors, particularly Medicaid reimbursement rates for assertive community treatment and hospital stays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Maeng
- Departments of Psychiatry (Maeng, Tsun, Lesch, Jacobowitz, Weisman, Lamberti), Biostatistics and Computational Biology (Strawderman, Harrington), and Public Health Sciences (Li), University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Zhi-Yang Tsun
- Departments of Psychiatry (Maeng, Tsun, Lesch, Jacobowitz, Weisman, Lamberti), Biostatistics and Computational Biology (Strawderman, Harrington), and Public Health Sciences (Li), University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Eric Lesch
- Departments of Psychiatry (Maeng, Tsun, Lesch, Jacobowitz, Weisman, Lamberti), Biostatistics and Computational Biology (Strawderman, Harrington), and Public Health Sciences (Li), University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - David B Jacobowitz
- Departments of Psychiatry (Maeng, Tsun, Lesch, Jacobowitz, Weisman, Lamberti), Biostatistics and Computational Biology (Strawderman, Harrington), and Public Health Sciences (Li), University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Robert L Strawderman
- Departments of Psychiatry (Maeng, Tsun, Lesch, Jacobowitz, Weisman, Lamberti), Biostatistics and Computational Biology (Strawderman, Harrington), and Public Health Sciences (Li), University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Donald K Harrington
- Departments of Psychiatry (Maeng, Tsun, Lesch, Jacobowitz, Weisman, Lamberti), Biostatistics and Computational Biology (Strawderman, Harrington), and Public Health Sciences (Li), University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Yue Li
- Departments of Psychiatry (Maeng, Tsun, Lesch, Jacobowitz, Weisman, Lamberti), Biostatistics and Computational Biology (Strawderman, Harrington), and Public Health Sciences (Li), University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Robert L Weisman
- Departments of Psychiatry (Maeng, Tsun, Lesch, Jacobowitz, Weisman, Lamberti), Biostatistics and Computational Biology (Strawderman, Harrington), and Public Health Sciences (Li), University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - J Steven Lamberti
- Departments of Psychiatry (Maeng, Tsun, Lesch, Jacobowitz, Weisman, Lamberti), Biostatistics and Computational Biology (Strawderman, Harrington), and Public Health Sciences (Li), University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
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Abstract
LEARNING OBJECTIVE After participating in this activity, learners should be better able to:• Assess characteristics of forensic assertive community treatment programs. ABSTRACT Forensic assertive community treatment (FACT) has emerged internationally as an intervention strategy for people with serious mental disorders who are involved with the criminal justice system. Studies to date have shown marked variability, however, in FACT program design and operation. Based upon a literature review and relevant experience, the authors present their perspective on the essential elements of FACT. Given that FACT is an adaptation of the evidence-based assertive community treatment (ACT) model, it is recommended that FACT programs maintain a high-fidelity ACT component. FACT programs should also have both mental health and criminal justice admission criteria because service recipients are involved in both service systems. For optimal effectiveness, FACT team clinicians must partner with criminal justice agencies that provide community-based supervision to their patients. Prospective FACT enrollees should receive a clear explanation of the program, including how their respective mental health and criminal justice service providers will work collaboratively with them to prevent incarceration. FACT programs should also use risk/need assessment to inform treatment planning, evidence-based mental health and community correctional practices to promote both wellness and public safety, and shared training to promote effective collaboration. Additional elements to consider include housing, medical care, and transitional services. These elements are presented and discussed, including a rationale and evidence to support each component. The article concludes with introduction of a FACT fidelity scale, the Rochester Forensic Assertive Community Treatment Scale (R-FACTS). By operationalizing essential FACT elements, the R-FACTS is designed to support FACT program development, implementation, and dissemination in a more consistent and measurable manner.
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