As part of the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment Services (EPSDT) Medi-Cal requirement, CalOptima Health offers Alcohol and Drug Screening, Assessment, Brief Interventions and Referral to Treatment (SABIRT) services to members 11 years and older, including pregnant women. Previously these services were known as Alcohol Misuse Screening and Counseling or AMSC.
Providers that may offer these services within their scope of practice include, but are not limited to, physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, licensed midwives, licensed clinical social workers, licensed professional clinical counselors, psychologists, and licensed marriage and family therapists. In providing SABIRT services, CalOptima Health complies with all applicable laws and regulations relating to the privacy of substance use disorder (SUD) records, as well as state law concerning the right of minors over 12 years of age to consent to treatment, including, without limitation, Title 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 2.1 et seq., 42 CFR Section 2.14, and Family Code Section 6929.

When a screening is positive, providers should conduct a brief assessment. Brief misuse counseling is offered when unhealthy alcohol or unhealthy substance use is detected. Appropriate referrals for additional evaluation and treatment, including medications for addiction treatment, is offered to members whose brief assessment demonstrates probable alcohol use disorder or substance use disorder SUD. Unhealthy alcohol and drug use screenings must be conducted using validated screening tools. Links to screening tools can be found below in the Screening Instruments section. Resources for counseling are included below in the Trainings, Articles and Brochures sections. For further information regarding SABIRT, refer to All Plan Letter 21-014: Alcohol and Drug Screening, Assessment, Brief Interventions and Referral to Treatment or contact CalOptima Health’s Behavioral Integration department at behavioralhealth@caloptima.org.

Updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Fact Sheet  Alcohol use and your health

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Facts and statistics

US Preventive Services Task Force (UPSTF) - Behavioral Counseling Interventions: Drug Use Illicit Screening An evidence-based approach addressing individual behaviors to improve health outcomes

US Preventive Services Task Force (UPSTF) - Behavioral Counseling Interventions: Unhealthy Alcohol Use In Adolescents And Adults An evidence-based approach addressing individual behaviors to improve health outcomes

CalOptima Health Behavioral Health Line, 24/7 toll free 1-855-877-3885 (TTY 711)

Orange County Health Care Agency — OC Links Information and referral line providing telephone and online support for anyone seeking information or connection to any of the Health Care Agency's behavioral health services

Orange County Health Care Agency – Drug Medi-Cal Organized Deliviery System (DMC-ODS) Intensive Outpatient Treatment, Residential Treatment, Recovery Services, Withdrawal Management, Narcotic Treatment Program/Opioid Treatment Program, Medication Assisted Treatment

Orange County Health Care Agency — Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services Crisis intervention, assessment and evaluation, HIV education, pre- and post-test counseling, voluntary testing; counseling and testing referrals to other programs for individuals, groups and families