Alvin D. Pelt, MD, FASAM
Candidate for Regional Director
Region IV - New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania
Alvin D. Pelt, MD, FASAM is a well-known and respected addiction psychiatrist in Central Ohio where he began his practice in 1989. He is a graduate of Western Michigan University and Wayne State University School of Medicine
He maintains a private practice, and is the Behavioral Health Medical Director for Buckeye Health Plan, a Centene Corp. affiliate.
Dr. Pelt is Board Certified with the American Board of Neurology and Psychiatry, with additional certification in Addiction Psychiatry; he is also a Diplomate of the American board of Addiction Medicine (ABAM) and a fellow with the American Society of Addiction Medicine (FASAM).
Candidate Questionnaire Responses
1. What have been your greatest contributions to ASAM or to the field of addiction medicine over the last 10 years?
My greatest contribution has been my involvement with the ASAM Education Committee working with the ASAM Criteria and development of a training module that focused on Utilization Management for the Managed Care Insurance industry and front line providers.
While I have the required education and training to function in my field, I also have a common person's perspective when it comes to medical literature, learning and training.
My experience has taught me that the ASAM Criteria is rarely used or understood in its entirety by the managed care industry or the front-line providers that deliver the treatment service, therefore all of the years of development, revisions and intellectual investment is for not if it does not benefit the provider and end-user.
Lastly, I should say that my other contribution has been my one-on-one interactions with medical and counseling professionals in helping them better understand that an addiction is brain disease, and responds positively, in most cases, to Medications for Addiction treatment, counseling and support.
2. How would your election to the ASAM Board of Directors benefit ASAM and the field of addiction medicine?
My election would bring a much needed perspective of how ASAM would benefit stakeholders (state Medicaid, Commercial Payer, Employers), addiction treatment providers and end-uses (patients).
My 30-plus years working in the addiction-recovery field along with my 6-years of concurrent work in the managed care insurance industry helps me to understand both sides of the equation, where cost-savings can be recognized by stakeholders (State Medicaid/Managed Care) through understanding and using The ASAM Criteria correctly in its policy development, and provider financial stability, by understanding and using The ASAM Criteria correctly in its service delivery.
Lastly, it goes without saying that the end-users (patients), the one’s that often have the least ability to advocate for themselves, are the ones that need the best effort that the ASAM Board of Directors, officers and members can deliver to help people recover and lead productive respectful lives.