Table 5.

Sensitivity analysis results for variation in unit cost estimates for the total cost of clinic-based methadone (MC) and office-based methadone (MO) and buprenorphine (BO)

		Unit Cost ($)		MC ($)		MO ($)		BO ($)

	Unit	Low	High	Low	High	Low	High	Low	High
Provider Cost
Physician time^A	hour	62.15	109.01	0	0	34.22	60.02	15.70	27.53
Nurse time^A	hour	27.96	45.64	1.94	3.16	13.49	22.01	9.32	15.21
Counselor time^A	hour	19.02	28.08	14.57	21.50	0.90	1.33	0	0
Subtotal: Clinician Costs				16.51	24.67	48.61	83.36	25.02	42.75
Overhead/Administrative ^B		18%	42%	2.97	10.36	8.75	35.01	4.50	17.95
Adjustment for missed visits^C		5%	20%	0.97	7.00	2.87	23.67	1.47	12.14
Buprenorphine/naloxone ^D	mg.	0.53	0.79					257.32	383.55
Methadone ^D	mg.	0.05	0.05	92.87	92.87	86.14	86.14
Urine toxicology screens ^E	test	4.47	54.67	3.96	48.43	4.51	55.15	3.39	41.47
Total Provider Cost				117.29	183.35	149.10	278.73	292.24	499.29
Patient Cost
Patient Time Cost ^F	hour	5.15	18.62	18.92	68.41	19.07	68.94	12.00	43.39
Child Care	$			0	0	1.91	1.91	0	0
Transport Cost	$			64.95	64.95	33.50	33.50	21.52	21.52
Total Patient Costs				83.87	133.36	54.74	105.02	33.55	64.92
Total Cost

TOTAL				201.16	316.71	197.40	374.48	328.01	568.56

Low estimate is calculated from mean wage in a geographic area with a high concentration of professionals and includes 30% fringe rate. High estimate is based on the mean wage in an area with a low concentration of professions and includes 30% fringe rate

Low and high estimate from previously published reports of methadone clinic expenses

Range of estimates based upon attendance rates during the study periods

Low estimate based on price paid at a local methadone clinic. High estimate based on price per mg of 8-mg tablet on an on-line national pharmacy available to the public.

Low estimate based on on-line price of 10- drug urine toxicology dip test. High estimate based on quantitative testing at a commercial laboratory

Low estimate is the 2006 federal minimum wage. High estimate is 2006 national mean wage