Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral for Treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based approach for identifying patients who use alcohol and other substances at increased levels of risk to reduce and prevent related health consequences, diseases, accidents, and injuries. SBIRT is designed to identify an individual who has an alcohol and/or substance use disorder or is at risk for developing one by evaluating responses to questions about alcohol and/or other substance use.

Practitioners providing SBIRT services to Medicaid-eligible patients in Kansas must meet the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) requirements, including being currently licensed in good standing as an approved professional type and submit an attestation (facility) or certificate (individual) as proof of completion of a KDADS approved SBIRT training. Patient services must be provided in an approved service location using approved questions and/or screening tools appropriate for the patient’s age and reason for screening. Providers shall maintain documentation in the patient’s health record.

To become approved to provide SBIRT services to Medicaid-eligible patients in Kansas, a healthcare professional shall be currently licensed in good standing as a physician, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, psychiatrist, nurse, dentist, or certified health educator in the state of Kansas or currently licensed in good standing by the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board as a psychologist, social worker, professional counselor, marriage and family therapist or addiction counselor.

Practitioners must also complete and pass a KDADS-approved online SBIRT training course with a proficiency test score of 80% or greater before providing services.

Approved provider service locations include primary medical care practices, acute medical care facilities, rural health clinics, critical access hospitals, federally qualified health centers, licensed substance use disorders treatment centers, Indian Health Centers, and community mental health centers.

For more information, please see SBIRT policies BHS/MCO 503 and BHS/MCO 504 below.

If you have questions, please email Lindy.Fike@ks.gov.

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Policy

• BHS-MCO 503 - Process for approval to provide Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral for Treatment services to Medicaid-eligible patients
• BHS/MCO 504 – Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral for Treatment (SBIRT) Services

A Personal NPI number is required to bill this service.

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SBIRT Resources

• Institute for Research, Education and Training in Addictions (IRETA)
• Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)