This trial examined health care utilization (HCU) and costs following brief cognitive behavioural treatment for insomnia (bCBTi). The authors reviewed medical records of outpatients treated in a behavioural sleep medicine clinic based in an accredited sleep disorder center. Six indicators of HCU and costs were obtained: estimated total and outpatient costs, estimated primary care visits, CPT costs, number of office visits, and number of medications. All patients completed more than 1 session of bCBTi. Those who attended greater than 3 were considered completers and completers with significant sleep improvements were considered responders. The results showed that for both completers and responders, all HCU and cost variables, except number of medications, significantly decreased or trended towards decrease at post-treatment. Completers had an average decrease in CPT costs of $200 and estimated total costs of $75. Responders had average decreases in CPT costs of $210. The authors conclude that bCBTi can reduce HCU and costs. Response to bCBTi resulted in greater reduction of HCU and costs. The findings highlight the need for greater dissemination of bCBTi for several reasons: a high percentage of completers responded to treatment, as few as 3 sessions can result in significant improvements insomnia, and bCBTi can be delivered by novice clinicians. J Clin Sleep Med. February 2014. PMID: 24532995
