Diagnosis, Treatment Options, and Costs of Schizophrenia

Key Points • Schizophrenia is a costly disease both from a direct and indirect cost perspective. • Medication nonadherence has a signifi cant impact on costs. • The costs of schizophrenia treatment can be managed by using available resources more effectively. • Strong evidence for effectiveness exists for antipsychotic medications, family education, community atreatment teams, supported employment and housing, psychosocial remedial therapies, and case management. • Managed care can improve outcomes in patients with schizophrenia by utilizing community treatment teams, case management, disease management programs, schizophrenia treatment algorithms, provider partnerships, specialty mental and behavioral health organizations, and Community Mental Health Centers.