Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment

What is SBIRT?

First Choice by Select Health of South Carolina is a partner in Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT). SBIRT is a statewide collaboration (PDF) to identify and offer treatment for pregnant and post-partum women  who may need help with alcohol dependence, substance dependence, depression, or domestic violence.

Participating in or becoming victim of harmful behaviors during pregnancy can lead to wide range of complications, including miscarriages, low birth weight, and a host of physical and mental birth defects. What’s more, South Carolina law enforcement receives more than 36,000 reports of domestic violence each year, and before SBIRT, there was no standard process to identify the pregnant women who need help.

Through SBIRT, doctors now receive tools and reimbursement to perform standardized screening and referrals for pregnant women receiving Medicaid benefits. With the help of numerous substance and domestic abuse agencies across the state, SBIRT ensures expectant mothers find placement in appropriate treatment programs.

SBIRT resources

The following resources are available to help you get the most of SBIRT:

SBIRT information

SBIRT forms

SBIRT contact information

If you have any questions about the SBIRT initiative or if you would like more information about becoming a First Choice participating provider, call Provider Services at 1-800-741-6605.