Ownership and performance of outpatient substance abuse treatment centers.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about the organization and performance of outpatient substance abuse treatment (OSAT) centers. We examine several performance measures of OSAT units, including clients treated, services provided, revenue sources, financial performance, and access to care, in relation to ownership of the center.


METHODS
Data were drawn from a national random sample of 575 OSAT centers (85.8% response rate) participating in a telephone survey conducted in 1988. Analysis of variance by ownership was conducted on each performance measure, with differences subjected to tests of statistical significance.


RESULTS
Descriptive results show that major funding sources differ by ownership. Private for-profit centers generate higher profits, charge higher prices, and achieve higher levels of financial performance than public and not-for-profit centers. Public centers provide better access to care for persons who are unable to pay.


CONCLUSIONS
There appear to be substantial and interrelated differences by ownership type in the financing and operation of OSAT units.
Wheeler
J R
JR
School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109-2029.
Fadel
H
H
D'Aunno
T A
TA
D005381:Financing, Organized / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010045:Outpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010067:Ownership / Q000191:economics; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D011897:Random Allocation; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D014481:United States