June 1999
The Department of Human Services (DHS) recently issued a Bulletin with guidelines on the statewide expansion of treatment for compulsive gamblers. The purpose of this Bulletin is to provide current and potential providers of outpatient gambling treatment services with an explanation of how the statewide individual client fee-for-service system will function. The Bulletin describes the criteria that must be met in order to be determined an eligible vendor for purposes of reimbursement from state funds and how the fee schedule works at various levels of reimbursement.
Minnesota's state-funded outpatient gambling treatment program began in 1992 with the award of grants to six programs through a competitive bidding process. From February 1992 through July 1998, these programs have assessed 2,157 persons and treated 1,629 compulsive gamblers. More than 5,000 family members or concerned others have also been involved in the treatment and aftercare process. However, some parts of the state remain under-served and accessibility is difficult for some clients. To enhance access and client choice, a fee-for-service reimbursement model was piloted in 1996 in 12 southeastern Minnesota counties. Currently, there are 14 eligible vendors serving this region with additional providers expected to seek eligibility in the near future. Current legislation extends the deadline for this change until July 1, 2000. The 1997 legislation remains in effect, which allows for additional eligible providers to qualify and be reimbursed for compulsive gambling treatment for individuals.
Vendor eligibility criteria were established for the pilots. These criteria have been revised and strengthened as DHS moves the pilot to other regions of the state.
Expansion of the fee-for-service model across the state will offer those in need of treatment with a choice of qualified providers as close to their home community as possible.
DHS hopes to receive applications from current and potential vendors in many parts of the state and to continue to see a variety of approaches to treatment.
"Because treatment of compulsive gambling is an emerging field, we feel we can benefit greatly from giving consumers choices and also begin to measure which approaches or combinations of approaches prove to be most effective for individuals who have differing needs," said Kathleen Porter, DHS compulsive gambling program manager.
For example, while all of the six original treatment programs still funded by DHS share many practices, including referrals to Gamblers Anonymous, they differ in emphasis. One favors cognitive therapy, another the traditional 12-step approach. Others focus on such factors as family of origin issues; co-occurring compulsive gambling and chemical dependency; and issues underlying pathological gambling, such as childhood sexual abuse and/or unresolved loss or grief.
If you wish to be placed on a mailing list for the DHS instructional bulletin, or for more information, contact Porter at 651-582-1819 or kathleen.porter@state.mn.us.
Gambling Problems Resource Center
2720 Highway 10
Mounds View, MN 55112
