Substance use disorder follow up care matters for our members
Timely follow-up and engagement in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment help our dual-eligible members—many of whom have complex medical, behavioral, and social needs—stay healthier and remain safely in their homes and communities. Currently, less than 20% of individuals with substance use disorders receive treatment. Improving rates for initiation and engagement of treatment (IET) not only supports better health outcomes and reduces avoidable hospitalizations, but also aligns with our shared commitment to high-quality, integrated care. In CCA’s Senior Care Options and One Care programs, your efforts to close the IET gap are vital.
What is the IET measure?
The IET measure tracks real-time access and engagement in follow-up care, measuring how quickly and consistently a member with a new SUD diagnosis:
- Initiates treatment (receives a follow-up visit within 14 days of diagnosis)
- Engages in treatment (has two or more additional visits within 34 days after initiation)
For more information, please refer to the 2025 Quality Measure reference guide on our website.
How you can help close the gap:
- Schedule follow-up appointments within 14 days of a new SUD diagnosis—ideally before your patient leaves your office.
- Use reminders and care coordination tools to ensure your patients receive outreach and support between visits.
- Educate your patients and their families about the importance of starting treatment promptly and sticking with appointments to manage this new chronic condition.
- Track and review your IET data from your EMR regularly to identify opportunities for follow up appointments and to celebrate improvements.
Your proactive outreach and commitment to closing the IET gap make a real difference for our members. Thank you for supporting better outcomes and helping our members live safely at home and in their communities.
For step-by-step guidance, review the CCA IET & SBIRT Tip Sheet on our provider website.