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Measurement & Quality Outcomes
42% Of Adults With ADHD Report Excellent Mental Health
Article June 6, 2022About 42% of Canadian adults diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) report having excellent mental health compared to 73.8% of adults without ADHD. For this comparison, “excellent” mental health was… Read MoreWhat’s New, Going Away, & Here To Stay: A Look Forward From The OPEN MINDS & Otsuka National Payer Survey
On-Demand Webinar May 31, 2022In 2021, Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. (OAPI) released The Third Edition Of Trends In Behavioral Health: A Reference Guide On The US Behavioral Health Financing & Delivery System (The Guide). This… Read MoreFinding The Right Combination For Managing Serious Mental Illnesses
Article May 30, 2022Earlier this year, Centene’s Chief Operating Officer of Behavioral Health, Indira Pahari, discussed how 10% of their population uses 70% of the resources, in her keynote presentation, “Improving Access &… Read MoreCMS Sets New Reimbursement Code For FDA-Approved Prescription Digital Behavioral Therapeutics
Article May 30, 2022On April 1, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) went live with a new reimbursement code for prescription digital behavioral therapeutics (PDTs) that have been cleared by… Read MorePeople With Severe Mental Illnesses Have A Higher Risk Of Dying From Cardiovascular Disease
Article May 30, 2022People with serious mental illness (SMI), particularly schizophrenia, generally have a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and higher levels of cardiovascular-related mortality than the general population. Over time the… Read MoreNebraska Becomes Tenth & Final State Needed To Launch Multi-State Counseling Compact For Licensed Counselors
Article May 30, 2022On April 19, 2022, the American Counseling Association announced that the tenth state needed—Nebraska— had signed legislation to support the Counseling Compact to allow licensed professional counselors to practice across… Read MoreU.S. Behavioral Health Workforce At 1.2 Million Professionals
Article May 30, 2022Nationwide, the behavioral health workforce includes about 1.2 million health care professionals. Within this workforce, more than 677,000 are behavioral health specialists, and over 400,000 are primary care professionals who… Read MoreMental Health Crisis Infographic
Downloadable Resource May 19, 2022Psychiatrists Scores On 2020 Medicare Merit-Based Incentive Payment System Lower Than Other Physicians
Article May 16, 2022Compared to other outpatient clinical professionals participating in the 2020 Medicare Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), psychiatrists had performance scores about five percentage points lower than other physicians, at 84.0… Read MorePlanning For 988
Article May 2, 2022Widespread concerns about suicide led to the passage of the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act in 2020, which will make “988” the nationwide suicide prevention hotline to support suicide and… Read MoreThe Homelessness Imperative
Article April 11, 2022Earlier this month, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new initiative focused on addressing the housing insecure population with mental illness and substance use disorder. But the focus of the… Read MoreMild & Moderate COVID-19 Doubles Risk Of Reduced Mobility For Older Adults
Article April 11, 2022Middle age and older Canadian adults (age 50 and older) who had recovered from mild and moderate infections with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were nearly twice as likely to have… Read MoreCall To Action: The Need For Stigma Awareness In Healthcare Professional Education
On-Demand Webinar March 9, 2022Recognizing the need for awareness of mental health stigma in healthcare professional education programs can be challenging. In this webinar, our panelists from medical, pharmacy, and psychology academic settings will… Read MoreSchizophrenia & Dementia Dual Diagnosis Increased After CMS Reporting Requirement For Nursing Home Antipsychotic Prescriptions
Article January 3, 2022After the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) began requiring public reporting of nursing home antipsychotic use, the proportion of residents with different forms of dementia also diagnosed with… Read MoreFew State Medicaid Plans Have Evaluated The Effects Of Tele-Behavioral Health Provided Through Managed Care On Access & Costs
Article November 22, 2021Of the 37 state Medicaid plans that, in January and February 2020, covered Medicaid behavioral health services via telehealth through managed care organizations (MCOs), few have formally evaluated the effects… Read MoreUnderstanding Integration, Identifying Top Models, & Knowing The Future Of Its Role In Health & Human Services
On-Demand Webinar November 17, 2021Integration is changing the competitive advantage for health and human service provider organizations—and with it, changing the parameters of financial sustainability. Integration brings with it value-based reimbursement, consolidation, and leverage… Read MoreInnovations Stemming The Rising Tide Of Substance Use Disorders
Article October 25, 2021The statistics on substance use disorders in the United States continue to cause alarm. Overdose deaths in the United States rose 29.4% in 2020 to an estimated 93,331, including 69,710… Read MoreIncreasing Medicare LTSS Benefits Could Cost Between $1 Billion & $13 Billion Per Year
Article October 25, 2021Increasing access to long-term services and supports (LTSS) through the Medicare program for beneficiaries aged 65 and older could cost the federal government from $1.1 billion to $12.8 billion per… Read MoreMissouri Department Of Social Services Begins Processing Enrollment For MO HealthNet Medicaid Expansion Population
Article October 25, 2021The Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) began processing applications from the Medicaid expansion population of low-income, non-disabled adults ages 19 to 64 with income below 133% of the federal… Read MoreMaking Integration Work – Think Change Management
Article October 18, 2021Management thought leader John Kotter wrote in his book, Sense of Urgency, “More than 70% of needed change either fails to be launched, even though some people clearly see the… Read MoreChildren In Poverty More Likely To Have Smaller Brain Volume & Slower Growth, Linked To Cognitive & Behavioral Difficulties
Article October 18, 2021Children living below the federal poverty level (FPL) are more likely to have cognitive and behavioral difficulties than their better-off peers due in part to differences in brain volume and… Read MorePeople With MS & Depression More Likely To Die Over A 10-Year Period Than People With Neither Condition
Article October 11, 2021People with multiple sclerosis (MS) and depression are more likely to die over a 10-year period than those with neither condition. As compared with controls without depression, the 10-year hazard… Read MoreFlorida Ends Certificate Of Need Requirements For Specialty Medical, Rehabilitation & Psychiatric Hospitals
Article October 4, 2021On July 1, 2021, the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) stopped requiring a certificate of need (CON) review for specialty medical, rehabilitation, and psychiatric and addiction treatment hospitals.… Read MoreMissouri Passes Reforms To Benefit & Assist Juvenile Inmates
Article October 4, 2021On July 14, 2021, the state of Missouri passed measures to benefit and assist juvenile inmates. Senate Bill (SB) 26 offers parole to life-sentence juveniles, SB 53 keeps certain juveniles… Read MoreIntegrated Treatment For Heart Failure & Depression Improves Quality Of Life
Article October 4, 2021A telephone-delivered ‘blended’ model of collaborative care strategy that combined heart failure care management with depression treatment improved quality of life and mood. When evaluated using the Mental Component Summary… Read MoreDo You Have The Data? Can You “Adapt?”
Article September 27, 2021The executive team with the better data can make better decisions, assure better outcomes for consumers, improve staff and customer satisfaction, and deliver more value to payers. But how? We’ve talked about… Read MoreManaging The 5%
Article September 27, 2021There is a lot of investment money going into the mental health field—in fact, $14.7 billion in the first half of this year. Much of that investment is focused on… Read MoreSchizophrenia Cost The U.S. $281.6 Billion In 2020; $62 Billion In Direct Costs
Article September 27, 2021During 2020, the costs of schizophrenia in the United States was estimated at $281.6 billion. About 22% ($62.0 billion) of the total cost was due to direct health and human… Read MoreDuring 2020, Overweight & Obesity Among Children Ages 5 Through 17 Rose To Over 40%
Article September 27, 2021Between March 2020 and January 2021, the incidence of overweight and obesity among children ages 5 to 17 rose to over 40%. The increase was particularly pronounced among younger children,… Read MoreIllinois Enacts Medicaid Mental Health Network Adequacy Law
Article September 27, 2021On July 23, 2021, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed legislation to require health insurers to ensure network adequacy for mental health and addiction treatment services. They must ensure that beneficiaries… Read MoreRhode Island To Pilot Safe Injection Sites
Article September 27, 2021Rhode Island is planning to pilot harm reduction centers, also called overdose prevention sites or supervised consumption sites. This two-year pilot program will establish “harm reduction centers” to prevent drug… Read MoreNew Hampshire Medicaid To Cover Inpatient & Residential Treatment For Adults With SMI
Article September 20, 2021The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is planning to provide Medicaid coverage for short-term inpatient and residential treatment services for adult beneficiaries ages 21 to 64… Read MoreChildren & Adolescents Experiencing Double The Rate Of Depression & Anxiety Due To COVID-19
Article September 20, 2021During 2020, about 25.2% of youth globally experienced clinically elevated depression symptoms and 20.5% experienced anxiety. These rates are double the estimates developed prior to the start of coronavirus disease… Read MoreAverage Signing Bonus For Psychiatrists Is $33,000
Article September 20, 2021The average signing bonus for U.S. psychiatrists in 2021 is $33,000. Bonuses for psychiatrists range from $1,000 to $75,000. Across all physician specialties, signing bonuses in 2021 average $29,656, up… Read MoreUtah To Merge Departments Of Health & Human Services With Goal Of Integrating Physical & Behavioral Health
Article September 20, 2021The Utah Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Human Services (DHS) are planning to merge to become the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) effective July 1,… Read MoreManaging Long Haul Burnout
Article September 13, 2021In the midst of the current wave of COVID cases from the delta variant, there are many questions. Will the variant—and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) full approval of… Read MoreBridging Gaps in Behavioral Health Treatment: A Narrative Summary
Article September 10, 2021Introduction The Lancet Commission on Behavioral health and Sustainable Development called for a global partnership of governmental agencies, development agencies, non-profits, and private industry to come together to transform mental… Read MorePeer Supports? There’s An App For That
Article September 6, 2021A few new developments around peer supports have caught everyone’s attention. Not surprisingly, the pandemic has changed the role and the work of peer support specialists—and like all of health… Read MoreBehavioral Health Disorders Among Top Five Causes Of Hospital Admissions In Adults Ages 18 To 44
Article September 6, 2021Behavioral health disorders were among the top five causes of U.S. hospital admissions in adults aged 18 to 44, more so than for any other age group. In males age… Read MoreDose Tapering Of Long-Term Opioid Pain Relief Linked To Rise In Overdose Events & Mental Health Crisis
Article September 6, 2021Among people prescribed long-term high-dose-opioid treatment for chronic pain control who had been forced to taper down their doses, the rate of overdoses and mental health crises increased. The incidence… Read MoreIdaho To Launch Implementation Of Nine Behavioral Health System Improvements, Full Details Expected By October 1, 2021
Article September 6, 2021The state of Idaho planning to implement nine behavioral health care system improvements over the next three years to improve the state’s public behavioral health infrastructure, add new treatment and… Read MoreIntegrated Care Gets A Leg Up With Virtual First
Article August 30, 2021Plugging into systems for integrated “whole person” care is increasingly an imperative for all provider organizations—whether they offer primary or specialty care and whether they provide digital, in-person, or hybrid… Read MoreAnnual U.S. Deaths Due To Alcohol, Drugs Or Suicide Exceeded 156,000 In 2019
Article August 30, 2021In 2019, 156,242 Americans died due to alcohol, drugs, or suicide, an average of 45.7 deaths per 100,000 individuals. This is a 3% increase over 2018 deaths from these causes… Read MoreBehavioral Health Telehealth Visits Increased 6,500% During The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency; Total Claims Up Slightly
Article August 30, 2021Claims for behavioral health evaluation and management (E&M) telehealth visits increased by 6,500% from January 2020 to February 2021 in the United States. However, during this period, which coincided with… Read MoreCalifornia Ends State Division of Juvenile Justice Admissions, Will Close All State-Run Facilities By June 2023
Article August 23, 2021On July 1, 2021, the state of California ended most youth admissions to the three state-run California Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Juvenile Justice facilities within the state Department… Read MoreQuality Standards & Performance Measures Infographic
Downloadable Resource August 17, 2021Metrics & Improvement In Quality Outcomes: Pharmacist’s Corner Section Advisor Interview On PsychU’s Theme For August
Interview August 4, 2021In this interview, Dr. Megan Ehret, Pharmacist Corner Section Advisor, discusses metrics and quality outcomes. Find out what types of metrics exist for a pharmacist to participate in. Featuring:… Read MoreKansas Establishes Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics
Article July 26, 2021On May 3, 2021, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed legislation, Senate Substitute for House Bill 2208, to establish the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) as a new model for… Read MoreOver 60% Of People With Schizophrenia Use Tobacco; Use of Other Substances Tops 76%
Article June 21, 2021About 62.3% of people hospitalized for schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) used tobacco. About 76.8% used tobacco or other substances such as cannabis, alcohol, and cocaine. The majority used two or… Read MoreMedicaid Behavioral Health Use During COVID-19 Dropped 34% For Children & 22% For Adults
Article June 14, 2021Between March 2020 through October 2020 during the U.S. coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency, Medicaid behavioral health utilization dropped. Mental health service use dropped by 34% for children… Read MoreOver 40% Of Military Veterans Experienced Psychological Improvement During The Pandemic
Article May 24, 2021During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency, about 43.3% of U.S. veterans experienced positive psychological changes or post-traumatic growth (PTG) related to the COVID-19 emergency by the end… Read MoreOutpatient Mental Health Clinics With Higher Fidelity To ‘Zero Suicide’ Practices Had Lower Odds Of A Suicide Incident
Article May 10, 2021Outpatient mental health clinics with higher fidelity to “Zero Suicide” (ZS) practices had a 69% lower likelihood of having a suicide incident. The odds of a suicide incident at clinics… Read MoreA Recovery-Oriented Perspective & Approach To Behavioral Health Care: A Discussion Among A Peer & A Clinical Provider (ROPA Series Part 2)
On-Demand Webinar February 11, 2021Recovery is possible for most individuals living with a mental health condition and this is a process that can improve their health and wellness; live a self-directed life; and work… Read MoreA Recovery-Oriented Perspective & Approach To Behavioral Health Care: A Discussion Among A Peer & A Clinical Provider (ROPA Series Part 1)
On-Demand Webinar January 12, 2021Recovery is possible for most individuals living with a mental health condition and this is a process that can improve their health and wellness; live a self-directed life; and work… Read MoreNurses’ Role In Behavioral Health During The Crisis Of COVID-19
Interview April 23, 2020Anxiety, fear, and trauma can be rampant during times of natural disaster. Kimberly Lonergan, RN, MSN, interviews Tony Amberg to hear his perspectives on nurses’ role during a pandemic, including… Read MoreWorld Bipolar Day 2020
Downloadable Resource March 25, 2020Behavioral Health HEDIS® Measures: An Annual Update From NCQA©
On-Demand Webinar August 29, 2019The most-used tool in health care for improving performance is the Healthcare Effectiveness Data Information Set (HEDIS®). HEDIS® asks how often insurers provide evidence-based care to support more than 70… Read MoreHow To Build Effective Programs That Meet Payers’ Focus On Social Determinants Of Health: Will The New Codes Pave The Way? (SDoH Series Part 2)
On-Demand Webinar August 20, 2019The World Health Organization (WHO) defines Social determinants of health (SDoH) as “The conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age. Variability in the population health drivers… Read MoreAddressing Social Determinants: Impacting Health & Wellness Beyond Traditional Medicine (SDoH Series Part 1)
On-Demand Webinar July 29, 2019Social determinants of health (SDoH) – like socioeconomic status, education, neighborhood and physical environment, employment, social support networks, and access to health care – can have drastic impacts on individual… Read MoreMetrics, Oversight, Politics, & Treatment Decisions: Studying The Interrelation Between Risk & Protective Factors For Burnout Among VHA PTSD Specialty Clinic Teams
Article May 20, 2019Background Burnout – measured in terms of emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and sense of professional efficacy – continues to be an issue among health care providers. Mental health providers are believed… Read MoreNational & State Behavioral Health Systems: Changes On The Horizon
On-Demand Webinar May 14, 2019Over the past two years, legislative changes have had a significant impact on the behavioral health industry landscape, particularly in how services are delivered to consumers. From the 21st Century… Read MoreState Of The Union: A Critical Look At The Policy & Legislation Impacting U.S. Behavioral Health Care
On-Demand Webinar December 13, 2018Changes in delivery and reimbursement for mental health services were abundant in 2018, spurred by a combination of state and federal initiatives aimed at improving behavioral health in the United… Read MoreTackling Behavioral Health Provider Shortages: Health Plan Strategies From Access To Engagement
On-Demand Webinar November 7, 2018Given the growing demand and shrinking availability of clinical professionals – both psychiatrists and allied health providers such as social workers and psychologists – health plans are challenged to assure timely access… Read MoreMeasurement-Based Care In Psychiatry: Clinical & Administrative Perspectives
On-Demand Webinar July 25, 2018Measurement-based care (MBC) can be an important component in effectively treating an individual with behavioral health needs by systematically measuring symptoms and responses to treatment. In this webinar, two experts… Read MoreHealth Plan Population Health Management Strategies: How Policy Affects Serving Complex Members
On-Demand Webinar June 18, 2018Care for individuals with behavioral health conditions typically costs 2-3 times as much, on average, as care for individuals without a behavioral health condition. To address this rate of health… Read MoreOne Step At A Time (Or Several At Once): Improving Quality Measurement In Behavioral Health
Article June 1, 2018Background & Purpose Recent health reforms such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA / PPACA) and the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA), along with endorsements by… Read MoreCertified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs): A New Approach To Providing Mental Health & Addiction Treatment
On-Demand Webinar April 16, 2018Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers (CCBHCs) were established as a demonstration program under the federal Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 in order to provide a comprehensive range of… Read MoreHEDIS® Behavioral Health Measures: An Update From NCQA©
On-Demand Webinar August 15, 2017Quality measurement for behavioral health is gaining more importance as payers and providers of health care acknowledge the impact mental health has on individuals and populations. In this webinar, three… Read MoreThe MACRA Quality Payment Program: What Behavioral Health Care Professionals Should Know
On-Demand Webinar February 23, 2017The Quality Payment Program (QPP) was developed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as part of the far reaching Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015… Read MoreAchieving The Triple Aim Through Innovations In Care Management: Improving The Value Of Care In Mental Health
On-Demand Webinar October 4, 2016The health care needs of people with comorbid behavioral and medical disorders are not always met by traditional delivery models; this complex population requires a coordinated approach to improve their… Read MoreIs Zero A Must?: The Impact Of Residual Symptoms In Major Depressive Disorder
On-Demand Webinar August 24, 2016While remission is the goal in treatment of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), persistent symptoms are common, even among remitters, and can negatively affect patient functioning and outcomes. In… Read MorePaying For Value In Mental Health Services: Perspectives From The Field
On-Demand Webinar August 4, 2016The shift to value-based reimbursement for health care is soon to be the norm and the provision of mental health services is the rule not the exception. This webinar presents… Read MoreRecovery In The Community: Can We Do Better?
On-Demand Webinar April 13, 2016A goal for all patients with mental illness should be symptom reduction and optimal psychosocial functioning. In this webinar, experienced psychiatrists Ralph Aquila, MD and Robert Davis, MD, discuss the… Read MoreNCQA© HEDIS® Measures & Mental Health: The Current Landscape & Future Developments
On-Demand Webinar March 31, 2016The importance of measuring quality is growing with each change in health care delivery and reimbursement. In this webinar, two experts from the National Committee for Quality Assurance, Research Scientist… Read MoreBehavioral Health In The Era Of Value-Based Care: Improving Quality & Lowering Costs Through Population Health Management
On-Demand Webinar October 6, 2015From health plans to provider systems, success in the current health care environment is dependent on an organization’s ability to demonstrate value for payers and consumers alike. This new emphasis… Read MoreMeasuring Outcome In The Treatment Of Depression: Why You Should Do It & How You Can Do It – A Focus On Measurement-Based Care
On-Demand Webinar September 16, 2015Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a serious, chronic disabling illness, with residual symptoms causing significant psychosocial and occupational functional impairment. This webinar, led by Madhukar Trivedi MD, Director of the… Read MoreFacilitating Recovery In Schizophrenia: An Assertive Community Treatment Approach
On-Demand Webinar March 25, 2015Why is the concept of recovery important to patients with schizophrenia? What are some barriers to recovery? How can an Assertive Community Treatment model facilitate recovery for patients with schizophrenia?… Read More19 of 23 Medicare Pioneer ACOs Move Into Year Three; Quality Outcomes Up & Financial Outcomes Mixed
Article December 10, 2014On September 16, 2014, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that quality outcomes for Medicare Pioneer Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) had improved, but that the Pioneer… Read MoreStay Connected:
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