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Navigating The Health Care System & Integrated Care
Call 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 MoreThe Alphabet Soup Of Integrated Care
Video February 24, 2022The “Next Generation” Behavioral Health Carve-Out
Article February 21, 2022At the start of the year, we wrote about one of the emerging trends from 2021—”integrated care” is increasingly happening via integration of consumer data and financial incentives—with physical location… Read MoreUp To A Third Of California Medi-Cal Beneficiaries With Serious Mental Illness Receive No Treatment
Article February 14, 2022Up to one-third or more of individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) who are enrolled in California Medicaid (Medi-Cal) do not receive any Medi-Cal specialty mental health services. According to… Read MoreWhat Do We Mean By Integrated Care, Whole Person Care, Transmural Care, Or Coordinated Care?
Article January 17, 2022The buzzword in health policy these days is “integrated care.” Also known as whole person care, transmural care, coordinated care, collaborative care, or holistic care, the basic premise is that… Read MoreThe Alphabet Soup Of Integrated Care
Downloadable Resource January 17, 2022For Integration, It’s The Information – A Trend Driving 2022 Strategy
Article January 17, 2022“Integration” in health and human services remains an elusive goal. Which is curious, since it is important to both consumers and payers, for different reasons. The current state of coordination… 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 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 MoreTired, Takeaways, & Transformation: The Impacts Of The COVID-19 Pandemic & Shifts In National Health Policy
On-Demand Webinar July 28, 2021The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the mental health and well-being of many Americans. Studies have shown that nearly half of Americans expressed that they are feeling a decline in their… Read MoreChildren’s Mental Health, The Pandemic, & The Next Normal
Article June 21, 2021Children’s Hospital Colorado declared a mental health “state of emergency.” What was the criteria for this state of emergency? The system saw a 90% increase in demand for behavioral health treatment for… Read MoreMental Wellness Across The Lifespan: Dr. Mojgan Makki On Accessing Care In Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Interview May 24, 2021Listen in as Mojgan Makki, MD, DFAACAP provides thoughts on accessing care for families in need of child and adolescent psychiatry services. She speaks to the role that school systems,… Read MoreTelemedicine In The Treatment Of Substance Use Disorder
Article April 6, 2020Some 21 million people in the United States have a substance use disorder (SUD) related to their use of alcohol, opioids, or other drugs. From 1999 to 2016, the rate… Read MoreLeveraging Digital Technology For Better Mental Health Care
Article February 17, 2020Despite vast improvements in diagnosis and treatment over the last half-century, mental illness is underdiagnosed and undertreated. The reasons are many and varied. Among them: a lack of access for… Read MorePrimary Care Trends In Behavioral Health
Article February 17, 2020Dr. Manning provides an update on trends in behavioral health and their impact on primary care. To read about this update and more, check out the 2019 Trends In Behavioral… Read MoreHow Do Bipolar Disorder Type I & Type II Differ?
Article February 10, 2020Traditionally, bipolar disorder type II (BDII) has been thought to be less severe—and less disabling—than bipolar disorder type I (BDI). Experts believe this characterization might be attributed to the fact… Read MoreFCC Unanimously Approves ‘988’ As National Suicide Prevention Hotline
Article February 3, 2020On December 12, 2019, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unanimously approved “988” as the official phone number for suicide prevention. The purpose in having a three-digit phone designation is… Read MoreUnderstanding & Managing Combat-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Interview February 3, 2020Dr. Croft provides insight into civilian medical and mental health service providers treating veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Dr. Croft covers common misconceptions, presenting symptoms, and current evidence-based treatments… Read MoreBrief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Is A Cost-Effective Intervention For Soldiers At-Risk Of Suicide
Article January 20, 2020Brief cognitive behavioral therapy (BCBT) is a cost-effective intervention for active-duty soldiers who are at risk of suicide. Using the federal discount rate, it is estimated that the U.S. Department… Read MorePerspectives Of A Caregiver: Stigma & Mental Health Awareness Questions
Interview January 20, 2020This podcast highlights Kathy Day’s experience as a caregiver to her relative with mental illness. Ms. Day answers questions concerning caregiver stigma and public awareness for people who may not… Read MoreMajor Depressive Disorder In Chronic Kidney Disease
On-Demand Webinar December 10, 2019Major Depressive Disorder affects more than 260 million people worldwide1. The reported prevalence of depression in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) ranges from 20-65%2. This webinar provides an overview… Read MoreCrossing The Social Determinants Divide
Article December 9, 2019A recent report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that social determinants are a major impediment to managing care for high-cost Medicaid beneficiaries. The biggest impediments include a… Read MoreSubstance Use Disorder Raises Risk Of Death After Valve Surgery For Heart Infection
Article December 9, 2019People with substance use disorder were 2.41 times more likely to die after undergoing valve surgery for endocarditis than people without substance use disorder. In a group of 228 people… Read MoreUnsheltered Homeless Far More Likely To Report Significant Health Concerns Than Sheltered Homeless
Article December 9, 2019Unsheltered homeless individuals are far more likely to report significant health concerns than sheltered homeless individuals. Approximately 50% of unsheltered people reported having a combination of a physical health condition,… Read MoreIndividuals With Diabetes & Behavioral Health Disorders Have Higher Risk Of Long-Term Medical Complications
Article December 2, 2019In the 10 to 12 years following a diagnosis of diabetes, individuals who also have behavioral health disorders experience a risk of more severe medical complications than those without preexisting… Read MoreThe Impact Of Opioid Use Disorders & The National Response
Downloadable Resource August 5, 2019The opioid crisis in the U.S. has been well documented over the past several years. Sections of the country have been ravaged by drug overdoses and families are being torn… Read MorePsychU Supporters: An Interview With Trinitas Regional Medical Center (TRMC)
Interview August 5, 2019We invite you to listen to our interview with James McCreath, Ph.D., LCSW, VP of Behavioral Health and Psychiatry at Trinitas Regional Medical Center (TRMC) and St. Joseph’s Health. Dr.… Read MorePsychU Supporters: An Interview With Mental Health America (MHA)
Interview August 5, 2019Paul Gionfriddo, President and CEO of Mental Health America (MHA), sits down with PsychU to discuss the history and purpose of MHA. Since 1909, MHA has been advocating for mental… Read MoreCommunicating With Loved Ones Living With Serious Mental Illness: A Caregiver Perspective
Interview August 5, 2019At least 8.4 million Americans provide care to an adult with an emotional or mental health issue.1 Caregivers have identified numerous challenges to providing care to their loved one, such… 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 MoreCurrent Treatments & Challenges For Individuals With Opioid Use Disorder
Interview July 29, 2019Recently, Marla Moses, FNP, PMHNP, PsychU Primary Care Provider Section Editor & Owner of Moses Mental Health, sat down with Nicole Neugebauer, Ph.D., Senior Medical Science Liaison with Otsuka Pharmaceutical… Read MorePsychU Supporters: An Interview With Kevin Einbinder DBSA
Interview July 29, 2019The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is a non-profit organization providing support groups for people or families with depression or bipolar disorder. Kevin Einbinder sat down to talk briefly… Read MoreMental Health America Minority Mental Health Month 2019 Toolkit
Downloadable Resource July 27, 2019July is Minority Mental Health Month and it is important for the mental health community to bring awareness to the unique struggles that underrepresented groups face in regards to their… Read MoreVA Expands Private Provider Options For Veterans Under MISSION Act
Article July 15, 2019On June 5, 2019, the federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issued final rules to expand community-based health care options for veterans under the federal Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening… Read MoreImplementing Measurement-Based Care—From Idea To Action
Article July 15, 2019A couple of months ago, we wrote about the lack of measurement-based care or the use of decision support tools and data to inform how consumers receive care. Measurement-based care… Read MoreLong-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics & How To Give An Intramuscular Injection
Video July 12, 2019In an effort to support the growing number of professionals and diverse care settings where patients are able to receive a long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotic medication, nurse practitioners from the… Read MoreTelepsychiatry Improves Access To Mental Health Care In Rural Areas
Article July 8, 2019On average, mental health care consumers in non-metropolitan areas are seen seven days sooner, and are 34% more likely to have regular visits when telepsychiatry is combined with in-person care,… Read MoreSpeaking Out About Self-Disclosure & Stigma: An Interview With Caroline Harris, BS, MSW(c)
Interview June 17, 2019Individuals living with mental health diagnoses are often marginalized by society, and stigmatization and discrimination may form a barrier to their recovery and social integration. There are a lot of… Read MoreThe Neurobiology Of Endocannabinoids
Video June 17, 2019Hear from Chloe Liu, Ph.D., a Medical Science Liaison with Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., as she examines the historical research discoveries and underlying neurobiological mechanisms of the endocannabinoid… Read MoreThe Big Target For Specialty Provider Organizations—The Cost Of Comorbid Chronic Disease
Article June 10, 2019In creating proposed models for value-based reimbursement of specialty provider organizations, one of the goals of our team is to link specialty provider organization “performance” to the total cost of… Read MoreThe Neurobiology Of Opioids
Video June 10, 2019Hear from Chip Meyer, Ph.D., a Medical Science Liaison with Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., as he examines the historic medical utilization and underlying neurobiological mechanisms of opioids. Explore… Read MorePsychU Supporters: An Interview With The American Association Of Suicidology
Interview June 10, 2019Listen in as Colleen Creighton introduce you to the work of the American Association of Suicidology (AAS) – a PsychU Supporting Organization. Ms. Creighton shares statistics about suicide in the… Read MoreHow VBR Prioritizes Primary Care As The ‘Center’ Of Integration
Article June 3, 2019In March the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) released draft value-based payment (VBP) performance measures for the state’s Medicaid managed care program (in California, the Medicaid program is… Read MoreResources & Provider Strategies To Address The U.S. Opioid Crisis
Interview June 3, 2019Where can clinicians find resources about opioid use disorder and evidence-based practices for opioid prescribing? What role can a primary care provider play to combat the national crisis? Hear from… Read MoreIntroduction To Opioid Use Disorder
Video June 3, 2019Dr. Elizabeth DiNapoli provides a brief overview of opioid use disorder (OUD). Key points discussed include: what symptoms may be present if a person is struggling with OUD; how common… Read MoreThe Continuing Challenge Of Stigma In Mental Health: An Interview With Kevin Einbinder, Vice President, Communications, Programs, & Chapter Relations at DBSA
Interview May 28, 2019Throughout the month of May each year, the health care community celebrates mental health awareness month. Hear from Kevin Einbinder from Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) as he shares his… Read MoreCelebrating 70 Years Of Mental Health Awareness With Paul Gionfriddo, President & CEO, MHA
Interview May 28, 2019Throughout the month of May each year, the health care community celebrates mental health awareness month. We sat down with Paul Gionfriddo, President & CEO of Mental Health America (MHA)… Read MorePain Medication Questionnaire (PMQ)
Downloadable Resource May 28, 2019The Pain Medication Questionnaire (PMQ) is a 26-item instrument designed to identify patients on a continuum from low to high risk for opioid misuse. The original study which validated the… Read MoreMental Health Awareness: A Focus On Suicide & Stigma
Video May 27, 2019Listen in as Dr. Rachel Self and Dr. Bryan Archuleta dive into the importance of raising mental health awareness and the interplay between suicide, mental health conditions, and stigma. In… Read MoreGiving Mental Illness A Voice: Patient Perspectives On Self-Disclosure & Stigma
On-Demand Webinar May 23, 2019Individuals living with mental illness often struggle with disclosing their mental health condition to others like friends, family, and employers, due to stigma. This stigmatization may impact the individual in… 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 MoreIs It Suicide Risk Or Risk Of Psychiatric Illness? Re-Examining The Nature Of Sex-Specific Suicide Risk Factors
Article May 13, 2019Background & Purpose Suicide is a serious issue. Current statistics from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) indicate that suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the… Read MoreState Of The Science 2019: Where Are We With Depression Care In The United States?
Interview May 6, 2019Care for major depressive disorder (MDD) has come a long way. The mental health field continues to make new strides in the understanding of the underlying pathology and potential treatment… Read MoreBenefits & Challenges Of Smartphone Use In Mental Health
On-Demand Webinar May 1, 2019Pew Research Center statistics indicate that 95% of Americans now own some type of cellphone, and that 77% are smartphones.1 Increases in digital adoption for residents in the U.S. certainly… Read MoreAfter A Natural Disaster Or Tragedy: Behavioral Health Response Immediately Following A Mass Shooting (Part 8 Of 9)
Interview April 29, 2019In this interview, Deborah Blalock describes the behavioral health services immediately provided following the mass shooting which occurred on June 17, 2015 at Mother Emanuel AME in Charleston, SC. She… Read MoreAfter A Natural Disaster Or Tragedy: Long-Term Behavioral Health Services In Response To A Mass Shooting (Part 9 Of 9)
Interview April 29, 2019In this interview, Deborah Blalock describes the long-term behavioral health services being provided in her community, to the congregation and first responders impacted, in response to the mass shooting on… Read MoreThe Opioid Crisis: Perspectives From Addiction Specialists In Primary Care & Psychiatry
On-Demand Webinar April 23, 2019The United States is currently experiencing an opioid epidemic, impacting health care providers across all specialties, including those working in primary care and psychiatry. In this presentation, Dr. Matthew Torrington… Read MoreIntegrated Weight Loss & Mental Health Treatment Program Reduced Obesity & Depression
Article April 22, 2019A 12-month intervention program featuring integrated weight loss and mental health treatments reduced obesity and depression in program participants. For these individuals, body mass index (BMI) decreased from 36.7 to… Read MoreBrief Risk Interview© (BRI)
Downloadable Resource April 22, 2019The Brief Risk Interview© (BRI) was developed as a protocol to determine potential patient risk of violating a treatment agreement related to prescription opioids and risk of future opioid misuse.… Read MoreBrief Risk Questionnaire© (BRQ)
Downloadable Resource April 8, 2019The Brief Risk Questionnaire© (BRQ) is an opioid risk screening tool found to offer a good alternative to doing a clinical interview (see Brief Risk Interview© (BRI) https://psychu.org/brief-risk-interview-bri/). The tool… Read MoreThe Art Of Clinical Assessment In Patients With Bipolar Disorder: Mock Interview
Interview April 1, 2019In January 2019, Dr. Joseph Goldberg and Dr. John Meyers presented a webinar entitled, “The Art Of Clinical Assessment In Patients With Bipolar Disorder”. As a follow-up to that webinar,… Read MoreHamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D)
Downloadable Resource April 1, 2019The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D; HRSD; HDRS), designed in 1960, has become one of the most widely utilized rating scales intended to assess depression disorder symptom severity and change.… Read MoreHumanizing Bipolar Disorder: An Interview With David Swain, MBA
Interview March 25, 2019Individuals living with mental health diagnoses are often marginalized by society, and stigmatization and discrimination may form a barrier to their recovery and social integration. There are a lot of… Read MoreMental Health Awareness Month 2019 Toolkit
Article March 20, 2019Throughout May each year, we celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM). For 2019, Mental Health America (MHA) is celebrating 70 years of celebrating MHAM by sharing their MHAM Toolkit. They… Read MoreMeet The Treatment Team: Peer Support Specialist
Interview March 18, 2019In this interview, Dwayne Mayes sits down with Nicole Meade, PhD from the Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc. Field Medical Affairs Team, to discuss the role a peer support… Read MoreGender Differences In Depression
On-Demand Webinar March 7, 2019The prevalence of depressive disorders is higher in women than men. Why? Many factors are thought to contribute to the divergence, including biological and clinical presentations. Understanding these variances may… Read MoreA Long Road To Travel: Evidentiary Support For Digital Interventions During Tertiary Care
Article March 4, 2019Background Chronic recurrence or relapse, and the need for more complex care, are common features of many psychiatric disorders. As such, some individuals with serious mental illness may require tertiary… 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 MoreEvolving Pharmacology Of Depression: Beyond The Monoamine Hypothesis
On-Demand Webinar October 9, 2018According to the World Health Organization, major depressive disorder (MDD) currently impacts 300 million individuals worldwide and is the leading cause of disability globally. Current treatment strategies for depression are… Read MoreMeet The Treatment Team: Psychiatrists
Interview October 5, 2018In this interview Sanjai Rao, MD, sits down with Monica Kim, PharmD, MBA, Medical Science Liaison at Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., to discuss the role a psychiatrist may… Read MoreMeet The Treatment Team: Social Workers
Interview September 28, 2018In this interview Tania Hammock, LCSW, sits down with Nicole Meade, PhD, Senior Medical Science Liaison at Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc. to discuss the role a social worker… Read MoreCan Public Health Surveillance Systems Work For Behavioral Health?
Article September 24, 2018Background & Purpose A group of researchers recently completed a study of public behavioral health surveillance systems and presented a framework that, when applied to a system, may help determine… Read MoreWhat Does ‘Center Of Excellence’ Mean Now?
Article September 24, 2018For executives of specialist organizations trying to stake out a place in an integrated market, understanding and packaging the “value” of unique expertise is key. Monica E. Oss spoke to… Read MoreMy Recovery Goals
Downloadable Resource September 19, 2018This worksheet is designed to help consumers prepare for appointments with providers. It encourages them to think about and record their current goals and concerns. The back side addresses between-appointment… Read MoreFDA Issues Recommendations To Encourage Development Of Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Medications
Article September 17, 2018On August 6, 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued new scientific recommendations to drug sponsors to encourage medication assisted treatment (MAT) drug development for the treatment of… Read MoreMortality Rates Among Boston Unsheltered Homeless Three Times Higher Than Sheltered Homeless
Article September 17, 2018Mortality rates among unsheltered homeless in Boston, Massachusetts are almost three times higher than Massachusetts homeless who live in shelters. The standard mortality ratio (SMR) for homeless who are unsheltered… Read MoreL.A. Care Health Plan Commits Up To $31 Million To Recruit Primary Care Physicians
Article September 17, 2018On July 19, 2018, L.A. Care Health Plan, a large publicly operated Medicaid health plan that serves Los Angeles County, California, launched a physician recruitment initiative called “Elevating the Safety… Read MoreEmergency Use 60% Higher Among Consumers With Schizophrenia & Not Taking Antipsychotics As Directed
Article September 10, 2018North Carolina Medicaid beneficiaries diagnosed with schizophrenia who failed to take antipsychotic medications as directed had 60% more emergency department visits for medical concerns than beneficiaries with schizophrenia who took… Read MoreNew York City Seeks To Create Safe Injection Sites
Article September 10, 2018New York City seeks to create safe injection sites for illegal drug users. Under the plan announced in May 2018, the sites would operate as Overdose Prevention Centers and financed… Read MoreU.S. Suicide Rate Rose From 0.8 Per 100,000 In 2000 To 2.0 Per 100,000 In 2016
Article September 10, 2018Between 2000 and 2016, the suicide rate in the United States rose from 0.8 to 2.0 per 100,000 population. Suicides increased steadily for the “white non-Latino” population (from about 12… Read MorePreparing For Value-Based Reimbursement—Even Before The Contracts Are Signed
Article September 10, 2018This week, I’ve heard a lot of conversations about value-based reimbursement (VBR) that have ranged from, “We don’t have the ability to track, let alone report, these types of performance… Read MoreMedicaid Leads Health Plans In Innovative Engagement Strategies, All Payers Show Room For Improvement
Article September 4, 2018Successful consumer engagement is a strong predictor of retention and ongoing participation in treatment. Engaged consumers take action to become better informed and more proactively involved in decisions and behaviors… Read MoreMedicare Beneficiaries Seldom Choose The Highest Quality Provider During Hospital Discharge Planning
Article September 4, 2018During the hospital discharge planning process, Medicare beneficiaries seldom choose the provider organization with the highest quality ratings. About 94% of Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) beneficiaries who used home health services… Read MoreLos Angeles Public Service Costs Decreased 60% Following Permanent Supportive Housing Program Benefits
Article September 4, 2018Associated costs for public services in Los Angeles decreased 59.7% following implementation of the county’s permanent supportive housing (PSH) program. The average public service utilization cost per participant for the… Read MoreHow Does Your State Medicaid Program Stack-Up On Behavioral Health?
Article September 4, 2018The focus on value has created “measurement fatigue” and “outcomes confusion” among managers of health and human service organizations. The problem is straightforward—to pay based on value, you need measures… Read MoreIllinois Medicaid To Launch Integrated Health Home Program In October 2018
Article September 4, 2018On July 20, 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved an Illinois Medicaid state plan amendment (SPA) to launch integrated health home services statewide for beneficiaries with… Read MoreArkansas Medicaid Launches New Three-Tier Outpatient Behavioral Health Benefits
Article September 4, 2018On July 1, 2018, the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) launched a new three-tier Medicaid outpatient behavioral health services (OBHS) program. The program replaces the Rehabilitative Services for Persons… Read MoreMedicare Proposes ‘Flat Fee’ Physician FFS Payment For Outpatient Visits
Article September 4, 2018In the proposed 2019 Medicare physician fee schedule (PFS), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) laid out plans to establish a flat fee-for-service (FFS) rate for physician office… Read MorePay For Value—The Glass Half Full, The Glass Half Empty?
Article September 4, 2018Paying for value—is it the opportunity for provider organizations to get paid more? Or the shifting of “bad risk” from health plans to provider organizations? Whether value-based reimbursement (VBR) is… Read MoreMeet The Treatment Team: Psychologists
Interview August 17, 2018In this interview, Elizabeth DiNapoli, PhD, Medical Science Liaison, sat down to discuss the role a psychologist may play on the treatment team of individuals with mental illness. Meet the other… Read MoreU.K. University Students Four Times More Likely To Seek Telephone-Based Mental Health Advice
Article July 25, 2018University students in the United Kingdom (U.K.) are four times more likely to seek mental health advice on a telephone- based service than from a counselor. About 28% said they… Read MoreBehavioral Health Conditions Accounted For Nearly 5% Of Total 2014 Health Spending
Article July 19, 2018Mental health and addiction disorder-related medical conditions accounted for about 4.7% of total health spending in 2014. Behavioral health spending totaled about $101.5 billion in 2014; total health care spending… Read More31% Of Medicare Distant Site Telehealth Services Claims Did Not Meet Medicare’s Telehealth Requirements
Article July 19, 2018Of 100 sampled claims for Medicare distant site telehealth services provided during 2014 and 2015 that did not have a corresponding originating site claim, 31 (31%) did not meet Medicare’s… Read MoreHealth Homes, Specialty Health Plans, CCBHCs. Oh My!
Article July 13, 2018For any provider organization with a Medicaid revenue stream, keeping track of Medicaid care coordination initiatives while developing proactive plans for responding to the changes they create in the market… Read MoreSetting Up Your Telehealth Program For Consumer Experience
Article July 13, 2018My colleagues who work a lot with telehealth talk about this being “the year of telehealth.” Why? There have been lots of legislative changes in the past couple of years,… Read MoreWorkforce Shortages As A Strategy Issue
Article July 13, 2018For organizations delivering health and human services, there is the often-discussed behavioral health workforce shortage. Health plan managers are continuously looking for expanded capacity for psychiatric services. Provider organization executives… Read MoreHigh Turnover, The Other Staffing Issue
Article July 13, 2018The average turnover rate among health care workers was 20.6% in 2017, up dramatically from 15.6% in 2010. Health care was second only to hospitality in its turnover (see the… Read MoreNQF Endorses Four Behavioral Health Measures
Article July 13, 2018On May 22, 2018, the National Quality Forum (NQF) announced it had endorsed four new measures in its Behavioral Health and Substance Use Fall 2017 project. The new measures address… Read MoreThe Medicare Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative Reduced Emergency Department Use
Article July 13, 2018The four-year Medicare Comprehensive Primary Care (CPC) initiative reduced the rate of emergency department use and hospitalization. CPC slowed growth in emergency department visits by 2% relative to the comparison… Read MoreNew England Metropolitan Areas Have Highest Proportion Of Mental Health Professionals
Article July 13, 2018New England metropolitan areas have the highest proportion of mental health professionals, per 100,000 population. The New England metropolitan areas have 36.0 psychiatrists per 100,000 population, and 55.6 psychologists and… Read MoreLouisiana Agrees To Create Community-Based Mental Health Capacity To Reduce Nursing Home Use
Article July 13, 2018On June 7, 2018, the State of Louisiana and the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) announced an agreement to resolve the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation in which the… Read MoreOf Physician Office Visits For Mental Health, 55% Were To Psychiatrists
Article July 13, 2018From 2012 through 2014, American adults made more than 30 million physician office visits for mental health concerns, and 55% of those visits were to psychiatrists. For adults age 18… Read MoreTennessee Eliminates Depression & Anxiety From TennCare ‘Episode Of Care’ Program
Article July 13, 2018On May 21, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam signed legislation that modified the state’s “episodes of care” bundles to exclude non-emergent depression and anxiety from the Division of TennCare’s Medicaid payment… Read MorePrimary Care Physician Median Compensation At $257,000 In 2017
Article July 13, 2018Median compensation for primary care physicians in 2017 was $257,000, up 10.6% since 2013, when median compensation was $233,000. During the same period, median compensation for psychiatrists rose about 16%… Read MoreDelaware Behavioral Health Consortium Proposes Plan To Improve Addiction & Mental Health Services
Article July 13, 2018On May 14, 2018, the Delaware Behavioral Health Consortium formed by the state in August 2017, released its “Three- Year Action Plan” that provides a roadmap for the state to… Read MoreWest Virginia DHHR To Launch Behavioral Health Court Diversion Program
Article July 13, 2018The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) is planning to implement a “Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion” (LEAD) program for people with addiction or mental health disorders. Through… Read MoreOhio Medicaid Moving Community Mental Health & Addiction Treatment To Managed Care On July 1, 2018
Article July 13, 2018On July 1, 2018, Ohio’s Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) will be responsible for community mental health and addiction treatment services for Medicaid members. For Medicaid beneficiaries not enrolled in… Read MoreThe Results May Surprise You: Rates Of Preventive Care Use Among Individuals With & Without Mental Illness
Article June 26, 2018Background & Methodology Individuals with serious mental illnesses (SMI) have reduced life expectancies compared to those without mental illness, due in part to higher rates of behavioral risk factors and… Read MoreBarriers & Challenges To Successful Behavioral Health Integration
Article June 21, 2018Background A report by researchers from the Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health draws attention to barriers and challenges of implementing successful… Read MoreMeet The Treatment Team: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
Interview June 21, 2018In this interview, Darcy Leon, MSN, RN, PMHNP-BC, sat down with Nicole Meade, PhD, Senior Medical Science Liaison at Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc. to discuss the role a… Read MoreNutrition For Better Health & Lower Costs
Article June 21, 2018In recent months we’ve written about the importance of good nutrition for improving consumer outcomes and lowering the cost of care. For example, adults who are food insecure have health… Read MorePolk County Florida Launches New Telemental Health Program For Low-Income Uninsured Residents
Article June 21, 2018The Polk County, Florida, Health and Human Services Division recently launched a new telehealth program that provides behavioral health services to uninsured and under-insured county residents with income at 200%… Read MoreFeds Approve Illinois Expansion Of Medicaid Mental Health Coverage, State Prepares To Launch 10 Pilots
Article June 21, 2018On May 7, 2018, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the Illinois 1115 Medicaid demonstration waiver to transform its behavioral health system to expand coverage of… Read MoreMental Health Self-Direction Is Associated With Modest Increase In Employment & Housing Outcomes
Article June 21, 2018Mental health self-direction for consumers with serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI) is associated with a modest increase in employment and housing independence outcomes. Self-direction allows a health care consumer… Read MoreHouseholds With 70-Year-Old Consumers Will Incur A Lifetime Average Of $122,000 In Medical Spending
Article June 21, 2018Households with health care consumers aged 70 years will incur an average of $122,000 in lifetime medical spending, including out-of-pocket spending and Medicaid payments, but not costs covered by Medicare.… Read MorePennsylvania Launches Corrections Data Exchange To Automate Medical Assistance Applications
Article June 21, 2018On May 11, 2018, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC) announced a collaboration with the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Pennsylvania Justice Network (JNET) to implement a date… Read MoreNCQA & Medical Home Network Launch Joint Project To Study Most Effective Means For Connecting Medical Care & Social Service Needs
Article June 21, 2018On May 10, 2018, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and Medical Home Network (MHN) launched a joint research project to study the effects of connections between Medicaid patient-centered… Read MoreClosing The Gaps In Preventive Care: Clinician Beliefs & Organizational Facilitators
Article June 20, 2018Background The disparity in life expectancy between the general population and individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) can be attributed in part to preventable chronic conditions, exacerbated by behavioral risk… Read MoreCrawl, Walk, Run To VBR
Article June 18, 2018Payers and health plans are pushing for reimbursement models that move away from fee-for-service and move to paying for “value.” At a recent institute, our health plan faculty members reiterated… Read MoreGet Your Price List Ready!
Article June 18, 2018Comparison shopping, common in every other field, has been a long time coming to health care. But recent news from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) may signal… Read MoreOh, Those Consumer Reviews
Article June 18, 2018Do you use crowdsourced consumer reviews? TripAdvisor has “collective” reviews of restaurants and tourist sites. Rotten Tomatoes brings us the collective wisdom of the crowds on movies. Yelp reviews just… Read MoreThe Innovation Conundrum
Article June 18, 2018Strategy and innovation. Right now in the health and human service market, these two concepts go hand-in-hand. For most organizations in the field, building a strategy for sustainability requires innovation.… Read MoreBCBS Total Care Program Reduced Hospitalizations & Emergency Department Visits
Article June 18, 2018On April 26, 2018, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBS) announced that BCBS members served by physicians, hospitals, and clinical care teams participating in its Blue Distinction Total Care program… 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 MoreThe Balloon Effect
Article June 13, 2018The ‘balloon effect’ is most often an analogy used in drug policy. When you squeeze a balloon, you displace air, which bulges out elsewhere. When policy makers and law enforcement… Read MoreNew Jersey Medicaid MCOs To Carve-In Behavioral Health In Medicaid Health Plans
Article June 13, 2018On April 17, 2018, the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) notified the NJ FamilyCare (NJFC) managed care organizations (MCOs) that beginning July 1, 2018, the NJFC plans would… Read MoreMichigan Medicaid Delays Selection Of Cross-Region PIHP For Mental Health Integration Pilot Areas
Article June 13, 2018The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has indefinitely delayed plans to pilot a single behavioral health prepaid inpatient health plan (PIHP) to manage specialty behavioral health services… Read MoreArizona Governor Signs Legislation Supporting Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy For Veterans With TBIs & PTSD
Article June 13, 2018On March 29, 2018, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed legislation, House Bill (HB) 2513, to create a fund to support hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for veterans with a traumatic brain… Read MoreFeds To Focus On Enforcing Compliance With Parity Law
Article June 13, 2018On April 30, 2018, the federal departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury released a “Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity Action Plan” for enforcing the Mental… Read MorePsychiatric Medication Use In California Jails Rose From 16% In 2012 To 20% In 2017
Article June 13, 2018The use of psychiatric drugs in California jails rose from 16% in March 2012, to 20% in February 2017. This is a 25% increase in the 45-county sample studied, from… Read MoreChanging EHR Regs Spell Strategy Adjustment
Article June 13, 2018For a decade, the electronic health record (EHR) landscape has been relatively fixed. The expectations of the Meaningful Use program were spelled out and progress has been slow but steady.… Read MoreMedicare To Require Hospitals To Post Standard Charges Online
Article June 13, 2018On April 24, 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule that requires hospitals to post their standard charges online. CMS already requires hospitals to… Read MoreU.S. Prescription Opioid Volume Declined 12% In 2017
Article June 13, 2018During 2017, prescription opioid dosage volume dropped by 12% in the United States. During 2017, 23.3 billion fewer Morphine Milligram Equivalents (MMEs) were dispensed. Actual dispensed opioid prescriptions decreased by… Read MoreCalifornia’s ‘No Place Like Home’ Program Faces Legal Challenge To Use Of Mental Health Services Act Funding
Article June 13, 2018The State of California plan to implement a new permanent supportive housing program for homeless people, called the No Place Like Home program, has been stalled by a lawsuit challenging… Read More82% Of Consumers Use Online Physician Reviews
Article June 13, 2018Approximately 82% of health care consumers use online physician reviews for care decisions and treatment options. About 57% report using online reviews “often” or “sometimes”. In 2013, about 25% of… Read MoreSeven Next Generation Medicare ACOs Drop Out
Article June 13, 2018During the first quarter of 2018, seven Medicare accountable care organizations (ACOs) participating in the Medicare Next Generation ACO model dropped out; some of the ACOs said the reason was… Read MoreColorado Passes Bills To Address Jail Behavioral Health
Article June 13, 2018On May 16, 2018, the Colorado legislature sent two bills to the governor that are intended to address jail behavioral health issues by improving mental health screening and access to… Read More2018 Adult Uninsured Rate Is 15.5%, Up From 12.7% In 2017
Article June 13, 2018As of the end of March, 2018, the uninsured rate among working-age adults ages 19 to 64 was 15.5%, an increase of 12.7% since June 2017. This equals approximately 29.5… Read MoreGoogle Unveils New Vetting Process For Addiction Treatment Ads
Article June 13, 2018On April 16, 2018, LegitScript announced a partnership with Google to create a new certification program for provider organizations that treat addiction disorder and want to advertise on Google Adwords.… Read MoreRapid Return To The Emergency Department For Mental Health & Substance Abuse Treatment: How Often Does It Happen, & Why?
Article June 7, 2018Background & Methodology In the United States, emergency department (ED) visits due to mental health and substance abuse (MHSA) conditions have increased from an estimated 4-6% in 1992 to 12%… Read MoreVirtual Visits In Primary Care: Who Uses Them & Why?
Article June 6, 2018Background & Purpose Virtual care has been defined as clinical interactions in health care that do not involve the patient and provider being in the same room at the same… Read MoreQuantitiative Description Of Medical Student Interest In Neurology & Psychiatry
Article May 30, 2018Key Messages There has been a well-documented shortage of physicians in some specialties, including Neurology and Psychiatry. Osteopathic medical students demonstrated a greater interest compared to allopathic medical students in… Read MoreNurse Practitioners May Represent 27% Of The Family Practice Workforce By 2025
Article May 23, 2018By 2025, about 27% of family practice/ primary care professionals will be nurse practitioners, up from about 18.5% of the workforce in 2010 and 2013, according to federal workforce projections.… Read More48 Attorneys General & DEA Agree To Share Prescription Drug Data
Article May 23, 2018On April 17, 2018, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reached an agreement on prescription drug information-sharing with attorneys general from 46 states,… Read MoreWhy Your Performance Reporting Should Include ‘Episodes Of Care’
Article May 23, 2018“Episodes of care” are an increasingly common form of value-based reimbursement. The most widely known episode of care or bundled payment model is the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services… Read MoreGetting More From Your EHR
Article May 23, 2018Do electronic health record systems (EHRs) reduce costs? It depends on who you ask. In a recent survey, 1,100 health care professionals were asked to assess the digital return on… Read MoreIntroducing National Health Plan Survey Results: Strategies For Managing Complex Consumers
Interview May 22, 2018During this interview, Monica E. Oss, CEO at OPEN MINDS, speaks with Darryl Donlin, Senior Associate at OPEN MINDS, to highlight the findings from the one-of-a-kind survey of 4,000 national… Read More76% Of Physicians Satisfied With Their Current Position; Salary The Leading Source Of Dissatisfaction
Article May 14, 2018Approximately 76% of physicians are satisfied with their current position regarding salary, benefits, quality of work, and quantity of work. Salary was the most commonly cited factor related to dissatisfaction… Read MoreProbability Of Death In Under-55 Adults Increased Over 10% In Five States
Article May 14, 2018Kentucky, Oklahoma, New Mexico, West Virginia, and Wyoming saw the probability of death between ages 20 and 55 years increase more than 10% between 1990 and 2016. This is in… Read More75% Of Your Management Team Was Offered Another Job This Year
Article May 14, 2018Seventy-five percent of health and human service managers were offered another job this year—and 18% of them pursued that offer. Thirty-five percent of these managers say they are planning to… Read MoreThe ACO ‘Savings Confusion’
Article May 14, 2018Reading through our past coverage of the Medicare accountable care organization (ACO) program can produce a lot of confusion—like these two seemingly conflicting headlines: Medicare ACOs – The Enrollment &… Read MoreFederal Court System Combines Lawsuits Against Opioid Manufacturers & Distributors; Recommends Settlement
Article May 9, 2018In December 2017, a federal district court judicial panel consolidated more than 400 lawsuits filed in federal courts by governmental entities nationwide against prescription opioid manufacturers and marketers; this action… Read More14% Of Families Had Out-Of-Pocket Health Care Expenses Exceeding $2,500 In 2015
Article May 9, 2018In 2015, about 14% of all families had out-of-pocket (OOP) health care expenses exceeding $2,500. The share of families with OOP health care expenses varied with income. About 22% of… Read MoreWhat Does The Farm Bill Have To Do With Health Care?
Article May 9, 2018For many managers in the health and human service field, the Farm Bill may feel outside the realm of relevant legislation. But, the far-reaching multi-year bill has important implications for… Read MoreAs Online Ratings Grow, Your Online Reputation Matters More
Article May 9, 2018We can add a few more data points to the growing list of online ratings of health care provider organizations. As 2017 wrapped up, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid… Read More54% Of Consumers Comfortable With Digital Interface With Health Care Professionals
Article May 4, 2018Approximately 54% of United States health care consumers feel comfortable interacting with health care professionals through digital means, including social digital consultations, media, cellphone apps, wearable technology, and the use… Read MoreMedicare Payment Advisory Commission Recommends Eliminating The Merit-Based Incentive Payment System
Article May 4, 2018In its March 2018 report to Congress, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) recommended that the Medicare program eliminate the recently launched merit-based incentive payment system (MIPS). To replace MIPS,… Read MoreMedicare Expands Coverage To Include Performance-Based Diabetes Prevention Program
Article May 4, 2018On April 1, 2018, Medicare started covering a performance-based diabetes prevention program. The program is a structured behavioral intervention with the goal of preventing progression to type 2 diabetes in… Read MoreFederal Regulators Cite The University Of Maryland Medical Center For ‘Patient Dumping’
Article April 25, 2018Federal regulators have cited the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) Midtown for violating patient rights and several patient safety and hospital management regulations related to a January 2018 incident… Read MoreHospitals Acquired 5,000 Physician Practices From July 2015 To July 2016
Article April 25, 2018Between July 2015 and July 2016, hospitals acquired 5,000 physician practices. By 2016, hospitals employed 155,000 physicians, an increase of 14,000 (11%) from the previous year. Across regions during the… Read MoreEnhanced Care Coordination Key To Low Readmission Rates
Article April 25, 2018Enhanced care coordination may be the key to low hospital readmission rates. The readmission rate for Pioneer accountable care geriatricians who provide enhanced care coordination was 3.1% lower than the… Read MoreAllscripts Integrates Lyft Ride-Hailing Application Into EHR System
Article April 23, 2018On March 5, 2018, Lyft, a ride-hailing platform, announced that Allscripts integrated the Lyft Concierge API into the Allscripts Sunrise™ electronic health record (EHR). The integration will allow the approximately… Read MoreNew 2018 Accounting Standard Limits What Health Care Provider Organizations Can Report As ‘Bad Debt’
Article April 23, 2018Starting January 1, 2018, public and some non-profit health care provider organizations began using a new accounting standard that changes how they report revenue and bad debt. Under the new… Read MoreCan Uber & Lyft Answer The No-Show Problem?
Article April 23, 2018A couple weeks ago, I looked at the pending revolution in non-emergency health care transportation (NEMT). It’s an important revolution because Medicaid alone spent an estimated $2.9 billion on NEMT… Read MoreWhen & How To ‘Sell’ Being Acquired
Article April 23, 2018Over the past four months, during my many daily conversations with executives in the health and human service field, I’ve been struck by a common “blind spot” in strategic thinking.… Read MoreThe State ‘Crazy Quilt’ Of Opioid Treatment Policy
Article April 23, 2018Last week, we looked at the federal government’s new funding and new policies in response to the wave of opioid addiction (see How Far Does $3.3 Billion Go?). The U.S.… Read MoreHow Far Does $3.3 Billion Go?
Article April 23, 2018The omnibus spending bill, approved by Congress in March, included an allocation of $3.3 billion to address the opioid and mental health crisis in fiscal year 2018. This appropriation builds… Read MoreNonpharmacological Interventions For Offenders With Substance Dependence: Effective Or Not?
Article April 23, 2018Background & Purpose The rate of drug dependence has been rising within the population of incarcerated people and is estimated between 10-48% for males and 30-60% for females, depending on… 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 MoreThe Value Of Family Nurse Practitioners In Mental Health Care
Interview April 13, 2018In this interview, Marla Moses, FNP, PMHNP, PsychU Primary Care Provider Corner Section Editor, practicing nurse practitioner, and owner of IN Moses Mental Health, discusses the value of family nurse… Read MoreCentene To Acquire Community Medical Group To Expand Its Provider Assets
Article April 11, 2018On March 5, 2018, Centene Corporation (Centene) announced that it had signed a definitive agreement to acquire Community Medical Holdings Corporation, dba Community Medical Group (CMG). The transaction was expected… Read More73% Of Health System Executives Cite Transition To Risk-Based Care Models As A Top Priority
Article April 11, 2018About 73% of health system executives cite the transition to risk-based care delivery models as a high or very high priority. Of those who have implemented risk-based contacts, only 18%… Read MoreWashington Medicaid Moving To Integrated Care
Article April 11, 2018The Washington Health Care Authority (HCA) recently issued two requests for proposals (RFPs) that will effectively move the state Medicaid plan to integrated care and end the state’s Medicaid behavioral… Read MoreTask Shifting To Bend The Cost Curve
Article April 11, 2018The subject of how best to “bend the cost curve” in our recent coverage got a lot of attention—including observations on adopting “public health” models, and putting consumers at the… Read MoreIt Gets Down To The Dollars
Article April 11, 2018Today, Humana released the annual performance results for their Bold Goal initiative in the report, Health Happens Where You Are. I first heard about their “Bold Goal” when Jeff Reid,… Read MoreComing To Grips With The Reality Of Mergers
Article April 11, 2018Last year was a big year for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the health and human service space. There was a 13% increase in M&A over 2016, with 115 announced… Read MoreThe Hospital Perspective On ‘Owning’ Value-Based Reimbursement
Article April 11, 2018“Whoever has the gold makes the rules.” I don’t think the creator of “The Wizard of Id” comic strip had health and human services in mind with this quote. But… Read MoreSummary: The State of Mental Health in America, 2018
Article April 6, 2018Background & Methodology How many individuals across the United States struggle with mental and behavioral health disorders? And how many individuals have access to, and receive, needed services? These questions… Read MoreQ&A: Implementing Integrated Dual-Disorder Treatment Programs: A Case Study
Interview April 6, 2018During this question and answer session, Mark Lowis, MSW, LMSW, and Jennifer Harrison, PhD, LMSW, CAADC, responded to unanswered questions from their January 30, 2018 Webinar entitled “Implementing Integrated Dual-Disorder… Read MoreMedicaid PMPM Medical Spending Higher For Beneficiaries Without Social Supports
Article March 30, 2018Medicaid member per month (PMPM) medical spending was higher among adult beneficiaries in the Medicaid expansion population who said they had trouble securing food, clothing, or housing, or had other… Read MoreManaging Obesity In Managing ‘Whole Person Health’
Article March 30, 2018Life expectancy in the U.S. is going down due to alcoholism, opioid addiction, and suicide according to a recent report using data from the National Vital Statistics System Mortality file… Read MoreWebinar Summary – Antidepressant Utilization In Bipolar Disorder: What Is The Evidence?
Article March 28, 2018This summary was developed utilizing the full recorded presentation of this webinar. You can access the full sourcing, polling results, recording, or presentation slides here: https://psychu.org/antidepressant-utilization-bipolar-disorder-evidence/. On March 28, 2018,… Read MoreInmates With Serious Mental Illness Most Often Incarcerated For Drug & Sex Offenses
Article March 28, 2018As of May 2017, two-thirds of federal inmates with serious mental illness (SMI) were incarcerated most often for four types of offenses: drugs (23%) and sex offenses (18%), followed by… Read MoreBipartisan Budget Act Included The CHRONIC Care Act, Expanding Medicare Telemedicine, Home Care, & Value-Based Care
Article March 28, 2018The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, signed into law on February 9, 2018, included the Creating High-Quality Results and Outcomes Necessary to Improve Chronic (CHRONIC) Care Act of 2017. The… Read MoreMichigan Medicaid Picks Regional Pilot Organizations For Coordinated Behavioral & Physical Health Services
Article March 28, 2018On March 9, 2018, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced it had selected three community mental health services provider organizations to pilot coordinated physical and behavioral… Read MoreBuilding A Workforce For Value-Based Reimbursement = Advice From Four Executives
Article March 28, 2018As organizations plan for the transition of reimbursement from fee-for-service to the wide array of alternate payment arrangements, much of the focus in on decision support tools, analytics, and financial… Read MoreThe Evolution Of Successful Value-Based Contracting
Article March 28, 2018It’s always interesting to “kick the tires” on a value-based contracting model that is up and running—and working. Our team had that opportunity at a recent institute in the session,… Read MoreBend The Cost Curve? We Need Behaviorally-Led Health Systems
Article March 28, 2018Last week, we ran an article looking at a proposed “framework” for bending the cost curve in health—this framework from the Texas Medical Center Health Policy Institute included eliminating fee-for-service… Read MoreThe Collision Of Food Policy & Health Care Costs
Article March 22, 2018Last month, Twitter and news reports were abuzz with President Trump’s plans for the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP, or as the program is commonly referred to “food stamps”). The… Read MoreA Personal Account Of The CIT Model Of Police Response In Oklahoma City – An Interview With Msgt. Corey Nooner (Part 2)
Interview March 22, 2018When individuals with mental illness experience encounters with law enforcement, the collaboration between police officers and mental health service providers becomes critical to appropriately serving the needs of individuals experiencing… Read MorePennsylvania Medicaid Moving To Value-Based Reimbursement For Behavioral Health
Article March 22, 2018On January 1, 2018, the Pennsylvania Medicaid program implemented new requirements for the value-based purchasing (VBP) initiative for the behavioral health HealthChoices program. The requirements, which apply to the counties… Read MoreSpending For Consumers With Comorbid Medical & Behavioral Conditions At 34% Of Total U.S. Health Care Spending
Article March 22, 2018During 2017, people with comorbid medical and behavioral health conditions had estimated claims of $752 billion for medical and behavioral health care, across commercial insurers, Medicare, and Medicaid. The estimated… Read MoreU.S. Health Care Expenditures Expected To Grow 5.5% Annually Through 2026
Article March 22, 2018National health spending growth, which was $3.5 trillion in 2017, is projected to rise by 5.5% annually from 2017 to 2026, reaching $5.7 trillion in 2026. During this period, the… Read MoreAmazon, Berkshire Hathaway & J.P. Morgan Chase To Form Independent Health Care Company
Article March 16, 2018On January 30, 2018 Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan Chase & Co. announced a joint venture to form an independent health care company to provide services for their United States… Read MorePractice Makes Perfect
Article March 16, 2018It is not surprising that when it comes to value-based reimbursement (VBR), like many pursuits, “practice makes perfect” is an adage that applies. We’ve seen that in the performance of… Read MoreValue = ‘Whole Person’ Approach
Article March 16, 2018“Value-based reimbursement and ‘whole person care’ are inseparable.” That statement, delivered by Carole Matyas, Vice President of Behavioral Health Operations for WellCare Health, during her keynote, Overcoming The Impediments To… Read MoreThe Role Caregivers Can Play On The Treatment Team – An Interview With John Battaglia, MD
Interview March 16, 2018In this interview, John Battaglia, MD, Psychiatrist and Medical Director of the Program of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) in Madison, Wisconsin, discusses the PACT program and the wraparound services they… Read MoreWalgreens Opens MedExpress Urgent Care Clinics In 15 Stores
Article March 8, 2018Walgreens recently opened pilot MedExpress Urgent Care Clinics in 15 stores across the United States. Through the pilot, Walgreens and MedExpress are testing how to provide more convenient access to… Read More13% Of Non-Profit Human Service Provider Organizations Are Technically Insolvent
Article March 8, 2018About 13% of non-profit community-based human service provider organizations (CBOs) in the United States are technically insolvent because their total liabilities exceed their total assets. More than 40% of CBOs… Read MoreDefining Post-Acute In The Era Of Value-Based Care
Article March 8, 2018Reducing acute inpatient care bed days and reducing inpatient readmissions are the focus of almost all performance incentive plans in the emerging value-based reimbursement models. But the reduction of acute… Read MoreEnglish Study Finds 9.8% Of English Adults With Four+ Chronic Conditions, Prevalence Projected To Double By 2035
Article March 8, 2018Among adults in England age 65 and older in 2015, about 9.8% were diagnosed with four or more chronic health conditions. By 2035, the share of English adults age 65… Read MoreOhio Medicaid Launching New Behavioral Health Care Coordination Program For High-Needs Members
Article March 8, 2018The Ohio Medicaid program anticipates enrolling beneficiaries with serious mental illness (SMI) or addiction disorder in a new behavioral health care coordination program slated to launch in the summer of… Read MoreCoordination, Care & Value-Based Contracting
Article March 8, 2018What is top of mind with thought leaders who are focused on the behavioral health/physical health integration? Four words— engagement, access, availability, and partnership. That was my takeaway from the… Read MoreWhat’s The Window To Value-Based Care?
Article March 7, 2018I’m still putting together my thoughts about the transition to value-based reimbursement for the specialty provider organizations serving complex consumers. I went to an event last week not quite sure… Read MoreHealth Care Spending For Patients With Behavioral & Physical Health Conditions: What Accounts For The Costs?
Article March 7, 2018Background & Purpose One in four Americans have multiple medical conditions. Treatment for these individuals is up to seven times costlier than treatment for individuals with only one. Behavioral health… Read MoreIntegrated Health Homes For Individuals With SMI: Does The Level Of Integration Matter?
Article February 26, 2018Background & Purpose Individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) are at greater risk for negative health outcomes and early mortality compared to the general population, in part due to engagement… Read MoreMedicare ACO Program Savings Are Not Tied To Preventable Hospitalizations
Article February 21, 2018Medicare accountable care organization (ACO) program savings are not tied to preventable hospitalizations. ACO program savings are also not concentrated among high-risk health care consumers. High-risk health care consumers are… Read MorePresidential Executive Order Issued To Expand Mental Health Care For Veterans
Article February 21, 2018A Presidential executive order was signed on January 9, 2018, with the intent of expanding mental health care for veterans transitioning from the military to civilian life, and to provide… Read More71% Of Physician Practice Revenue In Fee-For-Service
Article February 21, 2018During 2016, about 71% of revenue received by physician practices was paid via fee-for-service (FFS). About 60% of physician practices received some revenue from at least one alternative payment model… Read MoreCMS Unveils New Voluntary Bundled Payments For Care Improvement Advanced Model
Article February 21, 2018On January 9, 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced new voluntary Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced (BPCI Advanced) model for 32 clinical episodes. Under the… Read MoreOptum To Acquire DaVita Medical Group For $4.9 Billion
Article February 21, 2018On December 5, 2017, Optum signed an agreement to purchase DaVita Medical Group (Davita) for $4.9 billion. The transaction is expected to close in 2018, pending regulatory approval. DaVita will… Read MoreMedicare Penalizes Group Of 751 Hospitals For High Rates Of Hospital-Acquired Conditions
Article February 21, 2018Medicare is penalizing 751 hospitals for high rates of hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) as part of the HAC Reduction program (“HAC program”). This represents 22.7% of the 3,306 hospitals participating in… Read MoreDoes Paying For Value ‘Work’?
Article February 21, 2018I had a recent discussion with a community hospital chief executive officer (CEO) who said that value-based reimbursement (VBR) isn’t working. At least, VBR isn’t working for her hospital. Her… Read More12.2% Of U.S. Adults Are Uninsured, Up 1.3 Percentage Points From Record Low In 2016
Article February 21, 2018The uninsured rate rose from 10.9% in the third quarter of 2016, to 12.2% by December 2017. This represents an increase of 1.3 percentage points or 3.2 million consumers and… Read MoreMerger Of Catholic Health Initiatives & Dignity Health Creates Largest U.S. Non-Profit Health System, Operating In 28 States
Article February 21, 2018On December 7, 2017, Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) and Dignity Health announced that they have signed a merger agreement to create a new, non-profit Catholic health system with facilities in… Read MoreEmergency Department Use Not Affected By Health Insurance Coverage
Article February 21, 2018The uninsured and insured populations in the United States had similar emergency department (ED) utilization following implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), with 12.2% of uninsured… Read MoreSpending & Enrollment Growth Slow After Initial National Health Care Coverage Expansions
Article February 21, 2018During 2016, the total National Health Expenditure (NHE), which encompasses health care spending and investment, in the United States totaled $3.3 trillion, about 4.3% higher than the $3.2 trillion spent… Read MoreMedicaid Expansion Is Associated With Improved Hospital Financial Performance
Article February 21, 2018Medicaid expansion that occurred under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) is associated with improved hospital financial performance. This results in a substantially lower likelihood of closure, especially… Read More23.5% Of Baltimore Residents Live In Areas That Lack Access To Healthy, Affordable Food
Article February 21, 2018Approximately 23.5% of Baltimore residents live in areas that lack access to healthy and affordable food, affecting 146,000 of the city’s 621,000 residents. These areas are called healthy food priority… Read MoreMedicare ACOs – The Enrollment & The Savings Are Increasing
Article February 21, 2018Our team recently took a look at the Medicare ACO trends, and to us one thing was clear: executive teams of provider organizations should be thinking about the role that… Read MoreIs ‘Financial Accreditation’ The Answer?
Article February 21, 2018Our recent articles on the financial solvency of community-based provider organizations—If 1 In 8 Community-Based Organizations Are Insolvent, The Answer Is?—drew many comments and suggestions from our readers. But one… Read MoreAddressing Complex Consumer Care Using Next Generation Population Risk Management Tools
Interview February 20, 2018In this presentation, given live in January 25, 2017, Candace T. Saldarini, MD, Director of Medical Strategy at ODH, Inc., and Monica E. Oss, Chief Executive Officer at OPEN MINDS, discusses complex… Read MoreCIT Model Of Police Response In OKC
Interview February 14, 2018Get a taste of PsychU’s upcoming two-part interview series with Master Sergeant Corey Nooner of the Oklahoma City Police Department on crisis intervention team (CIT) models of police response to… Read MoreCalifornia Stakeholders Endorse Standardized Performance Measures For Commercial ACOs
Article February 8, 2018California-based employers, health plans, and health care provider organizations have endorsed an initiative to standardize performance measures for in-state commercial accountable care organizations (ACOs). The goal is to implement a… Read MorePenn State Health & Highmark Invest $1 Billion To Create A Value-Based Community Care Network
Article February 8, 2018On December 15, 2017, Penn State Health and insurer Highmark Health announced that they launched a strategic partnership to create a value-based community care network. The two organizations are investing… Read MoreIf 1 In 8 Community-Based Organizations Are Insolvent, The Answer Is?
Article February 8, 2018A new report confirmed on a broad scale what my colleagues and I have seen up close for the past decade. The organizations providing community-based health and human services are,… Read MoreVA To Take Immediate Actions On Timely Payments To Community Providers
Article February 2, 2018On January 3, 2018, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that it would take immediate actions on timely payments to community providers. The announcement comes in response to… Read MoreUPMC Awarded $5.7 Million To Expand Access To Medication Assisted Treatment In Four Pennsylvania Counties
Article January 24, 2018On December 20, 2017, the UPMC Center for High-Value Health Care announced it had been selected by the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) to oversee program and… Read MoreAnnual Income Of Supplemental Security Income Recipient Below Rent Costs In Most Markets
Article January 24, 2018In 2016, the average annual income of a single person receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments was $9,156; 22% below the 2016 federal poverty level, and barely sufficient to cover… Read MoreMassachusetts Public Health Awards 3 Contracts For A Post-Overdose Community Follow-Up Program
Article January 24, 2018On November 16, 2017, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced it had awarded $500,000 to three community-based health organizations to provide a post-overdose follow- up program. The awardees… Read More60% Of American Medical Group Association Members Ready To Move From FFS Payments To Risk-Based Payment Models Within 2 Years
Article January 24, 201860% of American Medical Group Association (AMGA) members will be ready to move from fee-for- service (FFS) payments to risk-based payment models within two years. This is an increase from… Read MoreMichigan Medicaid Preparing To Pilot Integrated Behavioral & Physical Health Projects
Article January 24, 2018The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is preparing to launch pilot projects to integrate Medicaid behavioral and physical health services. On December 20, 2017, MDHHS released a… Read MoreWhat’s In A Name?
Article January 24, 2018“Integrated” is a word that has lost much of its meaning. Same location? Same clinical team members? Same medical record? Shared medical information? Shared financing? When planning strategy (and doing… Read MoreIllinois Medicaid Launches Redesigned Mandatory Managed Care Program Statewide
Article January 18, 2018On January 1, 2018, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) launched the state’s newly redesigned statewide mandatory Medicaid managed care program, HealthChoice Illinois. The managed care program… Read MoreCareFirst BlueCross BlueShield To Launch New Addiction Treatment Programs In D.C. Area
Article January 18, 2018During the first quarter of 2018, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, which serves Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, plans to launch new programs to address opioid addiction disorder. The insurer… Read MoreMedicare Has Added 14 New Primary Care Billing Codes Since 2013
Article January 18, 2018Since 2013, the federal Medicare program has added 14 new billing codes to improve reimbursement for primary care services. The billing codes incentivize primary care provider organizations and professionals to… Read MoreTexas Issues RFP For STAR+PLUS Plans With Integrated MLTSS For Beneficiaries With Disabilities
Article January 18, 2018On December 4, 2017, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) released a request for proposal (RFP HHS0000428) for the STAR+PLUS Medicaid managed care program which integrates the delivery… Read MoreThe Top News Stories Of 2017—A Preview Of 2018?
Article January 18, 2018“The reason the enlightened prince and the wise general conquer the enemy whenever they move, and their achievements surpass those of ordinary men, is foreknowledge”- (Sun Tzu) “Market intelligence” was… Read MorePrecision Medicine For Behavioral Health Care: An Interview With Bettina Eva Franz, MD, PhD
Interview January 18, 2018Precision medicine involves using a patient’s personal information to select the treatment that will hopefully provide the best outcomes. Genetic makeup, physical health, and lifestyle may all play a role… Read MoreBehavioral Health Care More Likely To Be Out-Of-Network Than Medical Or Surgical Care
Article January 11, 2018In 2015, behavioral health care was four to six times more likely to be provided out-of- network than medical or surgical care. Additionally, in-network behavioral health professionals received lower reimbursements… Read MoreVirginia Medicaid Selects Six MCOs For Medallion 4.0 Integrated Physical & Behavioral Health Contracts
Article January 11, 2018On December 1, 2017, the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) selected six Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) for negotiations for the Medallion 4.0/FAMIS Managed Care Program that will… Read MoreGetting Past The Bumps In The Road To Value-Based Reimbursement
Article January 11, 2018Based on my work the past six months, I would describe the “path” to value-based reimbursement (VBR) for provider organizations as bumpy. I hear lots of frustrations from health plan… Read MoreSpecialist Physician Median Compensation Nearly $123,000 Higher For Private Hospitals Compared To Teaching Hospitals
Article January 10, 2018Specialist physicians working full-time in non-academic private hospital systems have median annual compensation up to $123,000 higher than physicians working in academic settings. Median annual compensation for full-time primary care… Read More47% Of Physician Practices Receive Some Form Of Value-Based Reimbursement: Up 3% Since 2015
Article January 10, 2018In 2017, approximately 47% of physician practices are actively pursuing value-based pay (VBP): a 3% increase since 2015. This is despite a large amount of overall barriers that prevent pursuing… Read More2018 Medicare Fee Schedule Expands The Telehealth & Remote Monitoring Code Sets
Article January 10, 2018The 2018 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule includes provisions to expand the telehealth code set and the ability to bill for remote monitoring. The changes include two new codes for telehealth… Read More57% Of Hospitals Earned Medicare Value-Based Purchasing Bonuses For Fiscal Year 2018
Article January 10, 2018For fiscal year 2018, about 57% of the 2,808 hospitals participating in the Medicare Hospital Value-based Purchasing (VBP) program earned bonuses, and 1,211 hospitals received penalties. In fiscal year 2017,… Read MoreNYC’s Pathway Home Program Places Homeless With Host Families
Article January 10, 2018New York City’s Pathway Home Program works to transition homeless families and individuals back into the community by placing them with friends or family members that act as host families… Read MoreThe Changing Face Of Medicaid Health Homes—The 2017 Update
Article January 10, 2018I confess: If you told me five or six years ago that health homes would still be going strong at the end of 2017, I would have disagreed with you.… Read MoreThe Strategic Challenges On The Road To Value-Based Reimbursement
Article January 10, 2018We’ve written a lot about the move to value-based reimbursement—what is happening, the contract types, and the provider organization management challenges. To help provider organizations navigate these challenges, my colleague… Read MoreThe Merger Of Retail With Health Plans—Strategy, Please
Article January 10, 2018Not all mergers are the same. We’ve seen the mergers of health systems like Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care, and Ascension Health and Providence St. Joseph Health. And,… Read MoreCMS Announces 15-State Expansion For 2019 Medicare Advantage Value-Based Insurance Design Model
Article January 10, 2018On November 22, 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a 15-state extension for the 2019 Medicare Advantage (MA) value-based insurance design (V-BID) model. The expansion will… Read MoreSan Diego City Council Approves $6.5 Million For ‘Bridge Shelter Program’ To Temporarily House Homeless
Article January 10, 2018On November 14, 2017, the San Diego City Council approved $6.5 million for the “Bridge Shelter Program” to temporarily house homeless citizens in Barrio Logan, the East Village, and the… Read MoreNorth Carolina Department Of Health & Human Services Takes Over Operations Of Cardinal Innovations
Article January 10, 2018On November 27, 2017, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced it had temporarily taken over operations of Cardinal Innovations Healthcare, the largest of the state’s… Read MoreHumana Reports Lower Medicare Costs After Implementing Value-Based Payments For Physicians
Article January 10, 2018In markets where Humana’s Medicare Advantage plans implemented value-based payments for physicians, total health care costs were 4% lower compared to costs for Humana plans with standard physician reimbursement models.… Read MoreThe Trauma Quandary
Article January 10, 2018Last week, my colleague Tressell Carter took a look at how the court system is evolving to consider trauma and other behavioral health issues through the use of “trauma- informed”… Read MoreMedical Licensure Questions & Physician Reluctance To Seek Care For Mental Health Conditions
Article January 8, 2018Key Messages Researchers investigated whether state medical licensure application questions (MLAQs) about mental health are related to physicians’ reluctance to seek help for a mental health condition because of concerns… Read MoreCVS Health To Open 8 Mock Pharmacies By Spring 2018 To Train People With Disabilities
Article January 3, 2018On November 8, 2017, CVS Health announced plans to open eight mock pharmacies by the spring of 2018 to provide training for people with disabilities. Individuals who complete the program… Read MoreMedical Debt Accrual Down By 45% In States After Medicaid Expansion
Article January 3, 2018In those states that implemented the expanded Medicaid eligibility rules outlined in the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act (PPACA), the rate of new medical debt accrual in treated households… Read MoreCenterstone & Uspiritus To Merge
Article January 3, 2018On November 15, 2017, Centerstone Kentucky and Uspiritus released a letter of intent to merge, combining the at-risk youth services of both organizations. The organizations intend to advance specialized care… Read MoreMedicaid Work Requirements Moving Ahead With 10 States In The Mix
Article January 3, 2018In the United States, employment and health insurance have been intertwined for decades. During World War II, in an era of wage freezes, employers started offering health insurance as an… Read MoreDavid Versus Goliath?
Article January 3, 2018Last week, I wrote about the need for creativity and innovation in health and human service development—with the caveat that great ideas were not enough for long-term sustainability (see Innovation… Read MoreSocial Determinants Today, Social Determinants Tomorrow
Article January 3, 2018Discussion about how social factors affect health care costs continues to amplify—and the numbers are pretty clear. Low-income consumers—who often have more negative social determinants of health—are higher utilizers of… Read MoreJudging, Not Judging: Trauma-Informed Courts
Article January 3, 2018There has been much recent focus in the health and human service field on the effects of trauma (see Women Who Experience Trauma Are At Higher Risk Of Developing Lupus,… Read MoreCMS Announces Changes To Medicaid Program Management
Article December 19, 2017On November 7, 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance on policy changes to federal and state Medicaid program management. The changes affect the review, approval… Read MoreU.S. Opioid Addiction Cost $504 Billion In 2015
Article December 19, 2017In 2015, the costs of opioid addiction in the United States totaled $504 billion. This equals 2.8% of the country’s gross domestic product that year, and is more than six… Read MoreMedicare Spends Three Times As Much On Beneficiaries Who Need LTSS
Article December 19, 2017Medicare spent three times as much on the 13% of the approximately 36.4 million Medicare beneficiaries age 65 and older in 2011 who needed long-term services and supports (LTSS). Average… Read MoreDanish Consumers With Diabetes & Schizophrenia 10% Less Likely To Receive High-Quality Diabetes Care
Article December 19, 2017People in Denmark who have diabetes and schizophrenia are about 10% less likely to receive high-quality diabetes care. High-quality diabetes care was defined as having received 80% or more of… Read MoreAMA Launches Integrated Health Model Initiative To Create A Common EHR Data Framework
Article December 19, 2017On October 16, 2017, the American Medical Association (AMA) launched its Integrated Health Model Initiative (IHMI) to create a common health care data framework for electronic health records (EHRs). The… Read MoreHospital Admissions Decline; Observation Stays & Emergency Department Visits Increase
Article December 13, 2017Trends showing fewer direct hospital admissions, and more treat-and-release observation stays or emergency department (ED) visits, have occurred among adult consumers across all insurance categories. Insurance categories include privately insured… Read MoreAbout One-Fifth Of Families With A Worker Earning $16 Per Hour Or Less Use Federally Funded Social Safety Net Programs
Article December 13, 2017About one-fifth of families with a worker earning $16 per hour or less in 2016 used one or more of five federally funded social safety net programs: Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition… Read MoreIowa Medicaid Seeks Managed Care Plans To Replace AmeriHealth Caritas
Article December 13, 2017On October 31, 2017, the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) issued a procurement seeking proposals from Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) to replace AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa, Inc., one of… Read More60% Of ER Treat-And-Release Visits By The Homeless Are For Behavioral Disorders
Article December 13, 2017About 60% of emergency department treat-and-release visits by the homeless are for behavioral health disorders. Of the approximately 73,000 treat and release visits to teaching hospitals during 2014, about 44,700… Read MoreVirtual Forum Summary: Improving Healthcare For Mental Health Patients: Is Collaborative Care The Answer?
Article December 7, 2017This summary was developed utilizing the full recorded presentation of this virtual forum, which is available on PsychU for all members free of charge. For full sourcing and polling results,… Read MoreTreating Insomnia May Lead To Improvements In Mental Health Symptoms
Article December 6, 2017Background & Purpose Individuals with mental disorders often experience sleep difficulties, but traditionally, these have been considered symptoms of the illnesses. As a result, interventions for sleep may be given… Read MorePioneer Accountable Care Organizations Saved Medicare $61 Million In 2016
Article December 6, 2017The eight remaining health care providers participating in the Pioneer Accountable Care Organization (Pioneer ACO) saved Medicare nearly $61 million in fiscal year 2016, the program’s final year of existence.… Read MoreOptions For Community-Based Services For Behavioral Health
Article December 5, 2017We’ve written a lot about the cost of untreated addiction treatment disorders and serious mental illness and its impact on communities – see Opioid-Related Hospital Stays Increase 121.6% In Small… Read MoreOpioid-Related Hospital Stays Increase 121.6% In Small Metro Areas
Article December 5, 2017Opioid-related hospital stays have more than doubled over a ten-year period in small metropolitan areas, increasing by 121.6%. Between 2005 and 2014, the rate of inpatient stays in small metropolitan… Read MoreColorado Opioid Deaths Down 6% After Marijuana Legalization
Article December 5, 2017After Colorado legalized the sale and use of recreational marijuana in 2014, the number of opioid-related deaths declined by more than 6% between 2014 and 2015. Before the state legalized… Read MoreArizona Medicaid Releases RFP For Integrated Care Contracts
Article December 5, 2017On November 2, 2017, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) released a request for proposals (RFP YH19-0001) seeking bids from managed care organizations (MCOs) to provide integrated Medicaid… Read MoreChanges Proposed For PPACA Via HHS Rule Change On CSR Payments & New Presidential Executive Order
Article December 4, 2017On October 12, 2017, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that the administration was ending cost-sharing reduction (CSR) payments to health insurers offering individual plans through… Read MoreCosts Of Cancer Care Higher For People With Psychiatric Disorders
Article November 30, 2017Among people receiving radiation therapy for cancer at the Mayo Clinic, acute costs for 24 months after the cancer diagnosis were higher among those with a pre-existing psychiatric diagnosis. Emergency… Read MoreLong-Term Care Costs Rise 4.5% Between 2016 & 2017
Article November 30, 2017Long-term care costs have risen an average of 4.5% between 2016 and 2017. This is three times the 1.7 percent rate of inflation in the United States. Long-term care costs… Read MoreIn Medicare Shared Savings Program, ACO Tenure Linked To Greater Spending Reductions
Article November 30, 2017Medicare Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) with longer participation in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) during 2013 through 2015 had a greater likelihood of reducing their costs and meeting the… Read MoreHumana Partners With CleanSlate Centers To Provide Outpatient Addiction Treatment Services In 8 States
Article November 30, 2017On September 27, 2017, CleanSlate Centers and health insurer Humana, Inc., announced that CleanSlate contracted to provide in-network outpatient opioid addiction treatment services for Humana Medicare Advantage and employer plan… Read MoreOnly 27% Of Unpaid Caregivers For Someone With Cognitive Impairment Use Caregiver Support Services
Article November 30, 2017Just 27% of unpaid caregivers for someone with cognitive impairment use caregiver support services. However, 78% of total poll respondents report that this caregiving is either very stressful, or somewhat… Read MoreLooking Ahead To The Era Of Configured Networks
Article November 22, 2017Last week, Deborah Adler, the Senior Vice President, Network Strategy, at Optum Behavioral Health, provided an update on some key elements of Optum’s network development strategy in her keynote at… Read MoreAnnual Care Costs For Frontotemporal Dementia Total Nearly $120,000
Article November 21, 2017Annual care costs, both direct and indirect, for consumers with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) total nearly $120,000. This equates to approximately $48,000 in direct costs, and about $72,000 in indirect costs.… Read More38% Of ACOs Preparing For Capitated Contracts
Article November 21, 2017About 38% of accountable care organizations (ACOs) are preparing for capitated models. About 47% of ACOs are considering or have firm plans to participate in shared savings/shared risk models. The… Read MoreOver 50% Of Adults With Co-Occurring Mental Health & Addictive Disorders Receive No Treatment
Article November 21, 2017Over half (52%) of an estimated 7.7 million adults with co-occurring mental health and addiction disorders each year from 2008 through 2014 received no treatment for either disorder. About 9.1%… Read MoreFeds Propose Giving States More Flexibility On Defining Essential Health Benefits
Article November 21, 2017On October 29, 2017, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule to give states a greater role in defining essential health benefits (EHBs) that… Read MoreColorado Medicaid Selects Five Organizations For Regional Integrated Behavioral & Physical Health Initiative
Article November 21, 2017On October 2, 2017, the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) issued intent to award notices for regional accountable entity (RAE) contracts to five provider organizations that… Read MoreThe Push For Value-Based Reimbursement From State Medicaid Plans
Article November 21, 2017Like a glacier, the transition of service provider organization reimbursement to some form of value-based reimbursement (VBR) continues slowly, but changing everything in its path. A 2017 survey found that… Read MoreEHRs & Satisfaction—Of Both Consumers & Clinical Professionals
Article November 21, 2017This caught my attention—primary care physicians spend more than 50% of a workday on documenting in electronic health records (EHRs), amounting to just under 6 hours in an 11.4 hour… Read MoreWhere Have All The Psychiatrists Gone?
Article November 21, 2017I wrote recently about how the rise in the number of consumers who have health insurance hasn’t translated directly into access to care in mental health. I realize that there… Read More3 Steps To Competing On Performance
Article November 21, 2017Yesterday, Ken Carr discussed the challenges facing organizations shifting to a more data-driven culture that embraces metrics-based management tools (Making Your Clinical Team Data Driven). When faced with this challenge,… Read MoreMaking Your Clinical Team Data Driven
Article November 21, 2017Sustainability requires improved organizational performance and improved value to our customer. But shifting organizational culture to one that is data driven and can use metrics-based management tools is a challenge… Read MoreSuicide Awareness In Primary Care
Interview October 31, 2017In this short interview, Marla Moses, FNP, PMHNP, PsychU Primary Care Providers’ Corner Section Editor and Owner of IN Moses Mental Health in Indianapolis, IN, shared her perspective on suicide… Read MoreCMS Cuts Promotion Of & Opportunities To Enroll In Health Insurance Marketplace
Article October 23, 2017On August 31, 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Center For Consumer Information & Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) announced funding and other changes affecting promotions for the health… Read MoreArkansas Medicaid To Launch Provider-Led Shared Savings Entities For Members With Developmental Disabilities Or Mental Illness
Article October 23, 2017On October 1, 2017, the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) began implementing the Medicaid Provider-led Arkansas Shared Savings Entity (PASSE) organized care model to coordinate care for about 30,000… Read MoreMassachusetts Selects Two MCOs, Moving Selected Medicaid Populations To Health Insurance Marketplace
Article October 23, 2017On October 3, 2017, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) announced it had selected two Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs)—Boston Medical Center Health Plan and Tufts… Read MoreThe Medicaid Managed Care Market Share Numbers Are In And…
Article October 23, 2017Recently, my colleague Athena Mandros published our updated analysis of the Medicaid managed care market share across the U.S. It provides an analysis of the health insurance organizations that dominate… Read MoreDeveloping New Opportunities For Mental Health Providers In Primary Care
Article October 23, 2017More mental health services are being delivered in primary care settings and by organizations with a primary care focus (see Pay-For-Value & Mental Health Treatment: Reading The Tea Leaves and The… Read MoreHealth Insurance Coverage Vs. Access To Care—The Gap Between Them
Article October 23, 2017I was pleased to read that the uninsured rate for consumers with severe mental illness (SMI) is dropping. Between 2012 and 2015, the percentage of adults with severe mental illness… Read MoreChanging Accounting Rules & The Shift To Value-Based Reimbursement
Article October 23, 2017Come this December, publicly traded companies and organizations with publicly traded debt will have to comply with new revenue recognition rules adopted by the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board and… Read MoreCollaboration, Connectivity & Complex Leadership
Article October 16, 2017Earlier this week, Monica E. Oss, wrote about the major disruptors reshaping the health and human service market focused on complex consumers – new competition, new technologies, and new performance… Read MoreDisruption (& Strategic Planning) Come To The I/DD Space
Article October 16, 2017In a recent article written by my colleague, Monica E. Oss, regarding leadership strategies, I was particularly interested in her list of key market disruptors in the health and human… Read MoreInsurer Market Power Lowers Hospital & Physician Payment Rates
Article October 16, 2017In regions of the United States where health insurer market concentration is high, provider organization payment rates are lower than in regions with lower health plan concentration. Between 2010 and… Read MoreSutter Health Teams Up With Quartet Health To Better Integrate Mental & Physical Health Care
Article October 16, 2017On August 22, 2017, not-for-profit Sutter Health, an integrated health care network serving Northern California announced a collaboration with Quartet Health to improve coordination between mental and physical health care… Read MoreCBO Projects That 2018 Health Insurance Marketplace Premiums Will Rise By 15% Due To Uncertainty About Fate Of Federal Subsidies
Article October 16, 2017The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that due to uncertainty about the fate of federal subsidies, the average benchmark premium for 2018 Health Insurance Marketplace plans will be about 15%… Read More15% Of Small Employers Offering Health Insurance Dropped Coverage In 2015; 35% Of Small Employers Offer Health Insurance
Article October 16, 2017Between 2014 and 2015, 14.6% of small employers (50 or fewer workers) that had offered insurance dropped it. During the same period, 5.5% of small employers who had not previously… Read MoreFollowing A Positive Suicide Screen In ER Visit, 42% Of Older Adults Receive A Follow-Up Mental Health Evaluation
Article October 16, 2017Fewer older adults (age 60 and older), compared to younger adults (age 18 to 59), who screened positive for suicide risk during an emergency department visit received a follow-up mental… Read MoreNebraska’s Psychiatrist-To-Population Ratio At 8.8 Per 100,000 Is 41% Below National Average Of 12.4 Per 100,000
Article October 16, 2017Nebraska’s ratio of 8.8 psychiatrists to 100,000 state residents is 41% lower than the national estimate of 12.4 psychiatrists to 100,000 state residents. Nebraska’s psychiatrist workforce ratio has held steady… Read MoreER Visit Volume Increased 7% Between 2013 & 2014
Article October 16, 2017Emergency department visit volume increased by about 7.7% between 2013 and 2014, from 130.4 million visits in 2013 to 141.4 million visits in 2014. The top reasons for emergency visits… Read MoreConsumer Satisfaction, Consumer Engagement & Shared Decisionmaking
Article October 16, 2017If your organization has consumers who are engaged in their health care, chances are, you have an edge over your competitors – because your consumers are better informed, are more… Read MoreWant To Be A Health Plan ‘Partner’? Answer These 5 Questions
Article October 16, 2017Last week, our faculty received an insider look at key market trends – including the increased competition for care coordination contracts, more value-based reimbursement, and the changing role of technology.… Read MoreFederal Opioid Commission Recommends Ending Medicaid IMD Exclusion For Addiction Treatment
Article October 2, 2017On July 31, 2017, the Federal Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis recommended in its interim report that the federal Medicaid program end the exclusion on reimbursing… Read MorePeople With Dementia Whose Caregivers Are Mentally Stressed May Die Sooner
Article September 28, 2017People diagnosed with dementia died sooner if their caregivers were experiencing declines in mental health. Even after accounting for differences in diagnosis, age, sex, dementia severity, and the care recipient’s… Read MoreNew Jersey Creates ‘Master Person Index’ With Goal To Improve Health Care Quality, Care & Accessibility
Article September 28, 2017New Jersey has created a “Master Person Index” database intended to improve health care quality in terms of facilitating access to care, reducing medical errors, and ensuring health record accessibility.… Read MoreCalifornia Medicaid Plans Propose Discontinuing Printed Provider Network Directories In Favor Of Digital Versions
Article September 28, 2017Three Medicaid managed care health plans in California have asked the state Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) which oversees Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program, for permission to stop automatically… Read MorePayer, Provider, Partner
Article September 26, 2017We’re at the stage where the field is moving from talk to action on value-based reimbursement (VBR) and health plan/provider partnerships. While our January survey found only 40% of specialty… Read MoreMedicare Shared Savings ACOs Saved $1 Billion Over Three Years
Article September 26, 2017Over the first three years of the Medicare Shared Savings Program, from 2013 through 2015, accountable care organization (ACOs) reduced Medicare spending by nearly $1 billion. During this period, there… Read MoreMichigan Medicaid Selects Facilitator To Develop Pilot Mental Health Integration Project Models
Article September 26, 2017On August 4, 2017, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Section 298 Initiative work group named the Michigan Public Health Institute as project facilitator to develop four… Read MoreTelehealth Use Cut ED Wait Times By 66% At NewYork-Presbyterian
Article September 26, 2017The use of telehealth technology has helped cut wait times at the NewYork- Presbyterian/ Weill Cornell Medical Center (NewYork-Presbyterian) emergency department (ED) by an average of 66% between August 2016… Read MoreNew Hampshire To Launch Integrated Medication-Assisted Treatment Services for Pregnant & Post-Partum Women
Article September 26, 2017The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services (BDAS) is preparing to launch a new two-year pilot program to integrate medication assisted… Read MoreIncidence Of Opioid-Related Overdose Admissions To Intensive Care Up 34% Since 2009; Costs Up 58%
Article September 26, 2017Since January 2009, the incidence of admissions to a hospital intensive care unit (ICU) due to opioid overdose rose by 34%, and the cost of these ICU admissions increased by… Read MoreMassHealth Selects Community Partner Organizations For ACOs – 8 For LTSS & 18 For Behavioral Health
Article September 26, 2017On August 28, 2017, Massachusetts Medicaid (MassHealth) announced it had selected 26 provider organizations to enter negotiations to become designated Community Partners, the next step of the rollout of the… Read MorePitkin County Colorado Launching ‘Be Well Initiative’ To Coordinate Behavioral Health Services
Article September 25, 2017On August 9, 2017, the Pitkin County, Colorado commissioners approved funding to launch the county Department of Human Services (DHS) “Be Well Initiative” to better coordinate the county’s mental health… Read MoreMedicaid Managed Care Insurance Plans Score Higher Than Commercial Health Insurance Plans In Customer Satisfaction
Article September 25, 2017Medicaid managed care members are more satisfied with their coverage than traditional, commercial health plan members, according to a recent J.D. Power survey. Members of Medicaid managed care plans reported… Read MoreState Medicaid Managed Care Access Standards Did Not Improve Access To Specialists
Article September 25, 2017State Medicaid managed care (MMC) access standards did not lead to meaningful improvements in beneficiary access to specialty physicians. Moreover there were no meaningful improvements in insurance-based disparities relative to… Read MoreCensus Bureau’s American Community Survey Establishes Standard Set Of Questions About Disabilities
Article September 25, 2017The American Community Survey (ACS) conducted by the Census Bureau establishes the first-ever set of standard questions about disabilities to use across surveys. The ACS is a nationally representative self-report… Read MoreCare Costs For A Person With Dementia Over 5 Years Is $322,000; More Than Twice That For A Person Without Dementia
Article September 25, 2017The total average cost to care for consumer with dementia diagnosed at age 83 is estimated at $321,780 over approximately five years post diagnosis, compared to an average cost of… Read MoreNorth Carolina Proposes New Integrated Medicaid Managed Care Model
Article September 25, 2017On August 8, 2017, North Carolina released a proposed design for transitioning its Medicaid program to a managed care delivery system. The state plans to implement full-risk, capitated managed care… Read MoreAlcohol Use Up & Alcohol Use Disorder Up Between 2002 & 2013
Article September 25, 2017Between 2002 and 2013, the number of adults age 18 and older who drank alcohol at some point over the past 12 months increased by 11.2%. The prevalence of high-risk… Read MoreWisconsin Governor Signs HOPE Bills To Combat Opioid Abuse & Addiction
Article September 25, 2017On July 17, 2017, Wisconsin’s Governor Scott Walker signed 11 bills into law related to the state’s Heroin, Opiate, Prevention, and Education (HOPE) agenda. The bills were signed during a… Read MoreMedicare Telemedicine Spending Rises 28% Between 2015 & 2016, But Is Still Less Than 1% Of Benefit Spending
Article September 25, 2017Medicare spending for telehealth in 2016 was $29 million, about 28% higher than telehealth spending in 2015, at $23 million. However, in both years, spending on telehealth represented less than… Read MoreDoes Federal Uncertainty Mean More Or Less Medicaid Managed Care?
Article September 25, 2017What happens in Medicaid is important for many provider organizations and many health plans. Medicaid is now one of the largest funders of health benefits and many specialty provider organizations… Read MoreBe Ethical Or Be Regulated
Article September 25, 2017While everyone complains about regulation, many times the purpose of regulation makes perfect sense. I think this is the case with new regulations in Florida focused on addiction treatment providers.… Read MoreEmployer Health Plans Pushing Telehealth Adoption One Step Closer To ‘Ubiquity’
Article September 25, 2017Next year could be a watershed year for telehealth. Currently, use of telehealth in the U.S. health and human service delivery system could be described as “sporadic” and “uneven.” Earlier… Read MoreIn Integrated Care, One Size Does Not Fit All
Article September 15, 2017Background & Purpose Integrated care is the systematic coordination of general and behavioral health care, encompassing primary care, substance abuse, and mental/behavioral health services.1 In a new study, “Outcomes of… Read MoreBetween 2016 & 2017, Number Of ACOs Rises 11%
Article September 8, 2017As of the end of the first quarter of 2017, there were 923 active public and private accountable care organizations (ACOs) in operation, up by 92 over the first quarter… Read MoreASAM Issues Consensus Document For Appropriate Use Of Drug Testing In Addiction Treatment
Article September 8, 2017Drug testing should be done at least weekly at the beginning of addiction treatment, and at least monthly in consumers in stable recovery, according to a consensus document issued by… Read MoreEmpire Health Foundation Partners With Catholic Charities To Launch Family-Focused Addiction Treatment Program
Article September 8, 2017Empire Health Foundation (EHF) in Washington State is partnering with Catholic Charities in Spokane (CCS) to launch “Rising Strong,” a family-focused addiction treatment program for families who are in danger… Read MoreResidents Of Disadvantaged Neighborhoods May Have Increased Alzheimer’s Risk
Article September 8, 2017People who live in highly disadvantaged neighborhoods had markedly worse cognitive performance than people living in better neighborhoods. Even after adjusting for age and education, those living in the disadvantaged… Read MoreNew Jersey Governor Proposes Moving Division Of Mental Health & Addiction Services To Health Department
Article September 8, 2017In a Reorganization Plan filed with the state, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie proposed transferring mental health and addiction services from the Department of Human Services (DHS) and into the… Read MoreLifetime Stressful Experiences Worsen Risk Of Developing Alzheimer’s
Article September 8, 2017Stressful experiences during a person’s lifetime worsen memory and thinking in early old age, which raises the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. African-Americans are at greater risk than non-Hispanic white… Read MoreNon-Profit Health & Human Service Provider Organizations Report Service Fees Are 50% Of Current Funding
Article September 8, 2017About 49% of revenue reported by non-profit organizations in the health and human services (HHS) sector comes from delivering services. Another 30% of revenue for non-profit HHS provider organizations is… Read MoreWhole Person Care Takes Another Step Forward
Article September 8, 2017If you are looking for trends in the health and human services industry, California is often the place to look (see California As A Bellwether). Another great recent example of… Read MoreThe Top Priorities For Innovation Are…
Article September 8, 2017In a time of disruption – both financial and technological – the ability to innovate is key to the sustainability of health and human service organizations. Typically, these innovations are… Read MoreMoving To The Flip Side – Telehealth, Urgent Care & Medical Homes
Article September 8, 2017On one of my recent travels, I read in the Brunswick News about the decision by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGA), an Anthem affiliate, to no longer pay… Read MoreThe Medicaid Spending Mosaic
Article September 8, 2017Our new analysis of average per person Medicaid spending found that the U.S. spent $7,492 per person for the 68+ million enrollees in 2015. But our analysis also found there… Read MoreHealth Plan Strategy Meets The Opioid Crisis
Article September 8, 2017You can’t look at the news without seeing something about the opioid crisis. The data supports the headlines. Across the country, deaths are up 200%, opioid-related inpatient stays are up… Read MoreSuccess With Care Coordination? Bringing Order To Complication
Article September 6, 2017What do successful care coordination models require? This was the question posed during a session I attended recently. The refrain for the session – “care coordinators need to be coordinated,”… Read MoreThe 3 Market Challenges We Aren’t Prepared For
Article September 1, 2017Greetings from sunny Long Beach! I had three big takeaways from an institute that are going to keep our team busy for many months ahead. First, the health plan executives participating… Read MoreThe Golden Rule Of Payer Marketing
Article September 1, 2017Greetings from sunny California. Throughout the day, I’ve had a lot of interesting conversations with attendees – everything from new strategies for combating the opioid epidemic, to new models for integration… Read MoreUninsured Rate For U.S. Adults Rises To 11.3%
Article September 1, 2017The uninsured rate rose from 10.9% in December 2016 to 11.3% by April 2017, representing an increase of 8% more uninsured adults. However, the current uninsured rate is far less… Read MoreOpioid Addiction Diagnosis Increases Nearly 500% Among Commercially Insured Population
Article September 1, 2017Between 2010 and 2016, opioid addiction diagnoses increased by 493% among commercially insured individuals. During the same period for the commercially insured population, the use of medication-assisted addiction treatment (MAT)… Read MoreHawaii To Pay Caregivers Via Vouchers To Care For Elderly
Article September 1, 2017On July 10, 2017, Hawaii governor David Ige signed the Kupuna (Elder) Caregivers Act (House Bill 607). The act is the first in the United States to offer financial assistance… Read MoreLifestyle Changes Are Effective For Preventing Dementia
Article September 1, 2017Healthier lifestyles are associated with declining prevalence of cognitive impairment and dementia. Furthermore, specific lifestyle changes are effective for preventing dementia, including increasing education in early life, increasing physical activity… Read More14.7 Million Working Americans Gained Health Coverage Under The Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act
Article September 1, 201714.7 million working American’s and their family members gained health coverage under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) between 2010 to 2015. This roughly 9.5 million working Americans… Read MoreMagellan Health To Acquire Senior Whole Health
Article August 3, 2017Magellan Health (Magellan) announced it has entered a definitive agreement to acquire Senior Whole Health (SWH). Magellan will use proceeds from new debt offerings to pay the $400 million purchase… Read MoreAmethyst Recovery Center Joins Addicted Minds – The Elite Treatment Providers
Article August 3, 2017The inpatient drug addiction treatment center Amethyst Recovery Centers has joined the network of Addicted Minds – The Elite Treatment Providers (Addicted Minds). With this addition, Addicted Minds continues towards… Read MoreNew Florida Law Increases Penalties For Abusive Addiction Treatment Marketing
Article August 3, 2017On July 1, 2017, a new Florida law went into effect to increase penalties for fraudulent patient brokering and deceptive marketing practices for addiction treatment provider organizations and recovery residences. The… Read MoreEvidence Suggests Cognitive Training May Prevent Cognitive Decline, Dementia
Article August 3, 2017Evidence suggests that cognitive training, blood pressure management for people with hypertension, and increased physical activity may prevent cognitive decline and dementia. This statement was issued in a report on… Read MoreWell-Being Of U.S. Millennial Women In The United States Lower Than Other Generations
Article August 3, 2017When compared against young women in previous generations since 1965, the well-being of young women (ages 30 to 34) in the Millennial generation has declined in terms of four key… Read More0.2% Of Pennsylvania Residents Had 5 Or More Hospitalizations; Costs Are 10% Of Total Hospital Payments
Article August 3, 2017Almost 22,000 Pennsylvania residents, about 0.17% of the state’s population, had five or more hospital stays during 2016, and their hospital costs were $1.25 billion, accounting for about 10% of… Read MoreMedicaid Cost For Autism – The Impact Of Special Education Funds
Article August 3, 2017A couple of months ago, my colleague Monica E. Oss wrote a piece on the size of the adult population with disabilities and the high number of children with autism… Read MoreWashington Medicaid To Cover ‘Store & Forward’ Telemedicine Dermatology Services
Article August 3, 2017On July 1, 2017, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) will begin reimbursing for “store and forward” asynchronous telemedicine services; initially, reimbursement for asynchronous telemedicine services will be limited… Read MoreThe End Of Payment Reform – The Beginning Of Payment Cuts
Article August 3, 2017There has been much speculation about where the Trump Administration will take health care – particularly the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) led value-based purchasing (VBP) initiatives. There… Read MoreShifting ACO Market = Shifting Strategy
Article August 3, 2017The footprint of accountable care organizations (ACO) continues to expand. As of the end of the first quarter of 2017, there are 923 ACOs covering 32 million lives in the… Read MoreTrump Administration Taps Brenda Fitzgerald To Lead The Centers For Disease Control & Prevention
Article August 3, 2017Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D., has been appointed by the Trump administration to lead the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dr. Fitzgerald formerly served as the Commissioner of the Georgia… Read MoreIndiana Adding Five Sites For Opioid Addiction Treatment
Article August 3, 2017[pu_contributor] The state of Indiana will add five more opioid addiction treatment centers to its 14 existing medication-assisted treatment facilities. The new additions will be made in hopes of curbing… Read MoreSAMHSA Grants $4.9 Million To Reduce Suicides On College & University Campuses
Article August 3, 2017The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded $4.9 million to 17 colleges and universities in an effort to reduce campus suicide rates. The funds will be distributed… Read MoreThe Joint Commission To Add Measurement-Based Care Requirements To Addiction Treatment Accreditation In 2018
Article August 3, 2017The Joint Commission is making its requirement for outcome measurement by addiction treatment programs more explicit. Effective January 1, 2018 accredited addiction treatment provider organizations will be require to use… Read MoreLatest Published Evidence Demonstrates Improved Outcomes Associated With Patient-Center Medical Homes & Advanced Primary Care
Article August 3, 2017The Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative (PCPCC) has unveiled new evidence that demonstrates improved outcomes associated with patient-center medical homes (PCMH) and other forms of advanced primary care. While results were… Read MoreThe On-The-Ground Reality Of Integrated Care Coordination
Article July 21, 2017I left our 2017 OPEN MINDS Strategy & Innovation Institute last month with a couple major takeaways. One of them is that making integrated care coordination work – and making… Read MoreTrump Nominates Indiana Doctor As New Surgeon General
Article July 21, 2017President Donald Trump has nominated Jerome Adams, M.D., Indiana’s State Health Commissioner, as the United States’ new Surgeon General. Adams, if appointed, will replace former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, M.D.,… Read MoreQ&A: The MACRA Quality Payment Program: What Behavioral Health Care Professionals Should Know
Interview July 21, 2017During this question and answer session, Paul Cotton, BA, Director of Federal Affairs at the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), and Elizabeth Arend, MPH, Quality Improvement Advisor at the… Read MoreImproving The State Of Collaborative Care
Article July 18, 2017There is a lot of discussion about “collaborative care” – generally referring to integrating behavioral health and primary care services. We’ve certainly written about it a lot in recent months… Read MoreVirtual Forum Summary: Meeting The Challenges In Caring For Patients With Schizophrenia: Roles Of The Pharmacist
Article July 14, 2017This summary was developed utilizing the full recorded presentation of this virtual forum, which is available on PsychU for all members free of charge. For full sourcing or polling results,… Read MoreMinnesota Adds New Risk Sharing For Medicaid ACOs In Expanded Integrated Health Partnerships Program
Article June 30, 2017The Minnesota Medicaid rebid of its Integrated Health Partnerships (IHP) program, a type of accountable care organization (ACO), includes new risk sharing options for the participating entities. The state is… Read MoreECHO Autism Expanding Telehealth Support To Primary Care In Alabama, Alaska, New Mexico, & Arizona
Article June 30, 2017On June 1, 2017, ECHO Autism, a University of Missouri (MU) program, announced it was expanding the program to Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) Autism partner sites serving Alabama,… Read MoreWisconsin Seeks To Amend Waiver To Require Drug Screening & Testing For Medicaid Eligibility
Article June 30, 2017Pending approval from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) intends to require childless adults seeking BadgerCare (Wisconsin Medicaid) benefits to be… Read MoreOregon Lagging On Medicaid Eligibility Verification For Approximately 86,000 People
Article June 30, 2017As of May 2017, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has not yet completed an annual Medicaid eligibility determination for about 8% of enrolled beneficiaries, representing about 86,000 people. The missing eligibility determinations… Read MoreCalifornia Medicaid Developing Capitated Payment Model For FQHCs
Article June 30, 2017The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is creating a capitated payment methodology for its federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). Under the proposed payment model, the Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid program) managed… Read MoreHow Will The 21st Century Cures Act Affect Behavioral Health?
Article June 20, 2017The 21st Century Cures Act is considered one of the most wide-reaching laws enacted to date to enrich opportunities for innovation in treating diseases, developing medical devices, and opening the… Read MorePsychU Stigma Anniversary Interview With Sita Diehl
Interview June 19, 2017On June 17, 2016, PsychU sponsored the National Stigma Forum, held at the Marriott Metro Center in Washington DC. The overall objectives of this meeting included discussion of the current… Read More62% Of Military Discharged For Misconduct Were Diagnosed With Mental Illness Or Traumatic Brain Injury
Article June 16, 2017About 62% of military personnel discharged for misconduct from 2011 through 2015 had been diagnosed with certain mental health conditions or traumatic brain injury (TBI) that could be associated with… Read MoreHealth Transformation Alliance Launches Health Purchasing Initiative For Self-Insured Companies
Article June 16, 2017In February 2017, the Health Transformation Alliance (HTA), which includes 38 large self-insured corporations, launched the first of several arrangements to reduce health care costs by transforming inefficient health care and… Read MoreNew Opportunities In The Shifting Medicaid Carve-Out Market
Article June 16, 2017The Medicaid carve-out market is shifting. Last month, a Michigan House appropriations panel approved two new financing pilot models to help the state integrate Medicaid physical and behavioral health services… Read MoreFlinn Foundation Issues Request For Proposals Regarding Evidence-Based Mental & Behavioral Health Programs
Article June 16, 2017The Ethel & James Flinn Foundation (Flinn Foundation) is accepting proposals from both governmental agencies, and nonprofit organizations, for mental health care and services for children and young people (up… Read MoreIllinois Senate Approves $15 Hourly Wage For Developmental Disability Direct Support Care Professionals
Article June 12, 2017On May 10, 2017, the Illinois State Senate approved a bill that would raise wages to $15 per hour for direct support professionals (DSPs) caring for people with intellectual/and developmental… Read MoreThe Challenges To Voluntary ‘Collaboration’ Between County Corrections & Mental Health Programs
Article June 12, 2017A couple weeks ago, news in Pennsylvania caught my eye – Pennsylvania is joining the Stepping Up Initiative (SUI) to reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in county… Read MoreIowa Law Establishes Health Plan Step-Therapy Override; Medicaid Exempted
Article June 12, 2017On May 11, 2017, Iowa enacted HF 233: a law to reform health insurer fail-first policies for medication step-therapy to require that the insurers provide override exceptions upon request from… Read MoreMississippi DMH Budget Caps Spending For ID/DD Home- & Community-Based Waiver
Article June 9, 2017On May 2, 2017, the Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH) announced that a state budget cap on spending has halted enrollments for the intellectual disability/developmental disability (ID/DD) Home- and Community-Based… Read MoreHow Can Payment Reform Affect Behavioral Health Integration In Primary Care?
Article June 7, 2017An Issue Brief from Mathematica Policy Research entitled “Behavioral Health Integration in Primary Care: A Review and Implications for Payment Reform” emphasizes the importance of behavioral health integration (BHI) in… Read MoreMichigan Legislative Panel Approves Financing Models For Integrated Care Pilot Projects
Article June 6, 2017On April 19, 2017, a Michigan House appropriations panel approved two new financing models to help the state integrate Medicaid physical and behavioral health services by September 30, 2020. In… Read MoreGender Ratio For Autism Is Lower Than Thought, At 3 Males For 1 Female
Article June 6, 2017The majority of children diagnosed with autism are male, but the breadth of the gender disparity is three males to each female, which is narrower than previous estimates of four… Read MoreMaryland Remote Monitoring Pilots Report Reducing Hospital & Emergency Department Use
Article June 6, 2017Three Maryland telehealth pilot programs focused on remote patient monitoring (RPM) resulted in reducing hospital and emergency department utilization. The participating consumers reported high levels of satisfaction with the RPM… Read MorePharmacist-Physician Linkages Needed To Improve Chronic Condition Care
Article June 6, 2017Partnerships between physicians and community-based pharmacists are needed to create community-clinical linkages to improve care for consumers with chronic health conditions. In such partnerships, pharmacists go beyond filling prescriptions to… Read MoreMedicare Rural Telemedicine Mental Health Visits Increased 45% Annually Between 2004 & 2014
Article June 6, 2017Between 2004 and 2014, the number of telemental health visits (telemedicine visits for mental health issues) made by Medicare beneficiaries living in rural areas increased by 45% annually, rising from 2,365 visits in… Read MoreVirtual Forum Summary: The MACRA Quality Payment Program: What Behavioral Health Care Professionals Should Know
Article June 2, 2017This summary was developed utilizing the full recorded presentation of this virtual forum, which is available on PsychU for all members free of charge. For full sourcing and polling results,… Read MoreOpinions On The Treatment Of MDD
Video June 2, 2017As part of PsychU’s growth and prominence in the mental health community, three large panel presentations were conducted in New York City, Raleigh, NC, and the Los Angeles area discussing… Read MoreIntegrated Care: Navigating The Evolving Health Care System In 2017
On-Demand Webinar May 16, 2017The health care landscape continues to be dynamic in 2017. Part of the evolving system involves primary care providers coordinating multiple facets of health, including mental wellness. Although this responsibility… Read MoreDealing With Stigma In Mental Health: Are We Making Progress?
On-Demand Webinar May 10, 2017Individuals living with mental health conditions can face significant stigma, not only from the public, but also from health care providers. Combatting such stigma is important, as it can have… Read MoreVirtual Forum Summary: Achieving The Triple Aim Through Innovations In Care Management: Improving The Value Of Care In Mental Health
Article March 22, 2017This summary was developed utilizing the full recorded presentation of this virtual forum, which is available on PsychU for all members free of charge. For full sourcing and polling results,… Read MoreNew Multi-Year Study With Intermountain Healthcare Finds Integrated Team-Based Care Has Many Benefits For Patients & Providers, Some Drawbacks
Article March 2, 2017A new study notes that there is limited research of the long-term, large scale efficacy of integrating mental health treatment into team-based primary care which meets the standards for patient-centered… 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 MoreWashington Medicaid Expanding Fully Integrated Model To North Central Counties In January 2018
Article February 16, 2017The Medicaid plan in Washington State is taking the next step in its implementation of its fully-integrated physical health/behavioral health model. Starting on January 1, 2018, the state’s new behavioral… Read MoreNew Conditions Of Participation For Home Health Require Integrated Communication & Care Coordination
Article February 16, 2017On January 13, 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released new conditions of participation (CoPs) for home health provider organizations that require the organizations to use integrated… Read MoreUnderstanding Consumer Pharmacy Benefits Is Key To Integrated Care Success
Article February 16, 2017The ability to coordinate care for the whole person is now a basic premise for a wide range of new initiatives, such as health homes and accountable care organizations (ACO).… Read MoreDo Inflammation & Metabolic Disturbances Metastasize To The Brain? Implications For Disease Modeling & Novel Approaches In Psychiatry (Inflammation Series Part 1)
On-Demand Webinar February 14, 2017During this webinar, Dr. Roger S. McIntyre, Professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacology (University of Toronto), Head of the Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit (University Health Network), and Executive Director of the… Read MoreCMS To Harmonize Medicaid Personal Care Services Requirements Across Programs
Article January 26, 2017The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is taking action to harmonize federal program requirements for Medicaid personal care services (PCS) requirements across programs. In a first step, on… Read MoreCMS Announces Two New ACO Models
Article January 19, 2017In December 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced two new accountable care organization (ACO) models under the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP). Under the Medicare-Medicaid ACO… Read MoreUnderstanding The Needs Of Individuals With Mental Illness & Medical Comorbidities During Transitional Care
Article January 13, 2017Individuals with mental illness frequently have medical comorbidities that compound the problems they face, causing lower quality of life and worsening health. Access to preventive services and receipt of timely… Read MoreWhat Are Employers Looking For In Health Plans Affiliating With Patient-Centered Medical Homes?
Article January 13, 2017What do employers expect from Patient-Centered Medical Homes (PCMH), and what would it take to encourage their further engagement with this delivery model? A March 2016 report titled “The Primary… Read MoreLean Workflow Analysis As A First Step To Integrating Behavioral Health Into Primary Care
Article January 13, 2017The benefits of integrating behavioral health (BH) services into a primary care setting are well-known; the model has proven to be effective in improving the medical and behavioral outcomes of… Read MoreMeasuring The Level Of Integrated Care In Federally Qualified Health Centers
Article January 13, 2017How can you tell if adding behavioral health services into a primary care setting achieves an effective level of integration? A group of investigators in New Jersey used the Behavioral… Read MoreA New Instrument Measures Self-Reported Patient Experience With Integrated Care
Article January 13, 2017Integrated care is an important component of delivering high-quality health care, especially for people with mental health disorders. “People with mental and substance abuse disorders may die decades earlier than… Read MorePreferred Behavioral Health Of New Jersey Partners With Oaks Integrated Care To Expand Services
Article January 13, 2017An affiliation between Oaks Integrated Care and Preferred Behavioral Health of New Jersey was finalized on January 3, 2017. The two non-profits are joining forces to improve the quality of… Read MoreIntegration Of Primary Care & Psychiatric Care: The Mental Health Center
Interview January 13, 2017An interview with Ray Kotwicki, MD, the Chief Medical Officer of Skyland Trail, a nationally recognized nonprofit mental health treatment organization serving adults in Atlanta, Georgia. Read MoreMedicare & Behavioral Health Integration – The Emerging Opportunity In These New Codes
Article January 12, 2017Just a few weeks ago, we covered the news that Medicare will begin paying for behavioral health services that are integrated into primary care settings on January 1, Medicare To… Read MoreMedicare To Cover Costs For Individual Care Plans For Beneficiaries With Alzheimer’s & Their Families
Article January 11, 2017In its final updates to the 2017 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized a new code to cover the cost of assessment… Read MoreMassachusetts Medicaid Waiver Approved: State To Begin Transforming Integrated, Value-Based Care
Article January 11, 2017On November 4, 2016, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the Massachusetts Medicaid 1115 waiver. This will allow the state to move forward with a major… Read MoreNew Report Guides Providers To Care For An Aging Population Through Integrated Care
Article December 27, 2016A new report released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration – U.S. Department Of Health & Human Services Health Resources and Service Administration (SAMHSA-HRSA) Center For Integrated… Read MoreCongress Passes 21st Century Cures Act, With Major Provisions For Mental Health Reform & Addiction Treatment Funding
Article December 21, 2016On December 7, 2016, the United States Senate concluded its reconciliation for the 21st Century Cures Act (Act) passed by the House on November 30, and sent the bill to… Read MoreMedicare To Reimburse For Integrated Behavioral Health Services In 2017
Article December 14, 2016Starting in January 2017, Medicare will start reimbursing for behavioral health services integrated into primary care settings via the Medicare psychiatric collaborative care model (CoCM) and other models. The psychiatric… Read MoreLINKAGE Treatment Improves Patient Engagement With Innovative Technology
Article December 2, 2016How do you encourage patients with substance abuse issues to engage in their care? A new clinical trial has explored the outcomes of a patient engagement strategy that uses technology… Read MoreNew Study Shows Collaborative Care Is Effective In Alleviating Symptoms Of Depression In People With Chronic Physical Conditions
Article December 2, 2016Many people with depression also suffer from co-morbid physical conditions (e.g., cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, or diabetes); however, health professionals have questioned whether the positive effects of collaborative care on… Read MoreBarriers In Behavioral Health & Primary Care Integration At Clinics May Be Due To Insufficient Training
Article December 2, 2016Increasingly, more provider organizations are moving towards a more integrated model for the delivery of primary care and behavioral health. This type of integration has many benefits to consumers, providers,… Read MoreJoint Consultations With Liaison Psychiatrists Can Provide Enhanced Care To Patients With Mental Illness & Increase Confidence In Primary Care Physicians
Article December 2, 2016Over 30% of patients seen in primary care medicine suffer from mental health illness, but some primary care physicians (PCPs) often feel anxiety and unprepared to deal with their patients’… Read MoreIntegrated Self-Management Interventions Have Potential To Improve General Medical & Psychiatric Disorders In People With Serious Mental Illness
Article December 2, 2016People with serious mental illness (SMI) often die up to 32 years earlier than the general population due to poorly managed general medical and psychiatric illnesses; however, interventions to support… Read MoreDoes Integrated Care At Community Mental Health Centers Affect Costs & Utilization For People With Serious Mental Illness?
Article December 2, 2016People with serious mental illness (SMI) are at an increased risk for a number of medical conditions, illnesses, and premature death, often due to their limited access to primary and… Read MoreUCLA Health’s ACO Improves Outcomes Of People With Mild To Moderate Behavioral Health Needs
Article December 2, 2016A new study, “Delivering On Accountable Care: Lessons From A Behavioral Health Program To Improve Access And Outcomes,” published online in August 2016 by Health Affairs, touts one successful case… Read MoreMACRA Excludes Most Medicaid Patient-Centered Medical Homes As Alternate Payment Model
Article November 23, 2016Most patient-centered medical homes (PCMHs) serving Medicaid beneficiaries will not count as advanced alternative payment models (APMS) under the new Medicare Access & CHIP Reauthorization Act Of 2015 (MACRA) rules… Read MoreOregon’s Patient-Centered Primary Care Homes Cut All-Payer Health Care Spending By $240 Million From 2012-2014
Article November 23, 2016Between 2012 and 2014, the Oregon patient-centered primary care home (PCPCH) model cut health care spending in the state by $240 million. About 90% of Medicaid beneficiaries are enrolled in… Read MoreVermont To Launch All-Payer ACO System In January 2017
Article November 9, 2016Vermont is launching its all-payer Accountable Care Organization (ACO) model in January 2017. The all-payer ACO will involve Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial health payers. Each payer will use the same… Read MoreWhat Makes Integrated Health Care Work?
Interview November 8, 2016An interview with Dennis Freeman, PhD, CEO of Cherokee Health Systems, a Federally Qualified Health Center, Community Mental Health Center, and Migrant Health Center serving the needs of people across… Read MoreMACRA: The Big Picture
Article November 7, 2016Within the past two weeks, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final rules for the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 or MACRA (see… Read MorePrimary Care Intervention To Address Families’ Social Needs Improves Children’s Health
Article October 25, 2016A primary care intervention to connect children’s caregivers with services to meet their social needs resulted in improving children’s health, as well as reducing their unmet social needs due to… Read MoreThe Biggest Challenge To Integration? The Answer May Surprise You
Article October 13, 2016I had the opportunity last month to present a web briefing with Don Fowls, M.D. for the PsychU membership on integrated care for consumers in the serious mental illness (SMI)… Read MoreIntegration Is All About The ‘Flow’
Article September 29, 2016“We can’t hire our way out of access problems.” I have been thinking about this quote by Dennis Freeman, Ph.D., chief executive officer for Cherokee Health Systems, from The 2016… Read MoreScreening, Evaluation & Management Of Depression In People With Diabetes In Primary Care
Article September 27, 2016Key Messages Comorbid depression is common in patients treated for diabetes in primary care. Improved recognition and case management of comorbid depression may improve patient quality of life and self-care… Read MoreMedicare To Test Frontier Community Health Integration Project In Three States
Article September 16, 2016Medicare is testing the Frontier Community Health Integration Project (FCHIP) in Montana, Nevada, and North Dakota. The three-year FCHIP demonstration, which runs through July 31, 2019, will test a rural integrated,… Read MoreACO Primary Care Integration Reduced Emergency Department Visits By 13%
Article September 16, 2016After receiving behavioral health treatment through a collaborative care program that integrated behavioral health into primary care delivery, members of a Medicare accountable care organization (ACO) made 13% fewer emergency department… Read MoreCMS Selects 14 Regions For All-Payer Comprehensive Primary Care Plus Demonstration
Article September 7, 2016On August 1, 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it had selected 14 regions to participate in the nation-wide all-payer primary care model, Comprehensive Primary Care… Read MoreMedicare Advantage Value-Based Insurance Design To Add Benefits For People With Dementia
Article September 7, 2016On August 10, 2016, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that for 2018, its Medicare Advantage Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) model will include benefits for dementia.… Read MoreVirtual Human Simulations Launched To Help Manage Real-Life Conversations In Primary Care & Family Settings
Article August 23, 2016Kognito, a leader in conversation simulations featuring virtual humans, announced the launch of a series of four new conversation experiences available to help users build skills related to physical, emotional… Read MoreSix California Hospital Emergency Departments Deploy Coordination Platform To Link Consumers With Collaborative Care
Article August 8, 2016Between March and June 2016, six California hospitals in the East Bay region (across from San Francisco) launched a data sharing initiative and coordination platform that provides emergency department physicians real-time notifications… Read MoreVeterans Affairs Commission On Care Recommends More Private Options For Services
Article August 8, 2016In its final report delivered to President Barack Obama on July 6, 2016, the Veterans Affairs’ Commission on Care recommended redesigning veterans’ health care delivery to create a series of regional… Read MoreConsiderations For Referral Of Patients With Major Depressive Disorder A Resource For Primary Care Physicians
Downloadable Resource August 4, 2016This brochure highlights the need for continued MDD screening and appropriate referral to a mental health specialist as part of a collaborative approach to depression management. Read MorePractice-Based Interventions Addressing Concomitant Depression & Chronic Medical Conditions In The Primary Care Setting: A Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis
Article July 27, 2016Key Messages Although practice-based interventions, such as collaborative care, have been shown to effectively treat depression, it is unclear whether these treatment strategies may also have a beneficial impact on… Read MoreYMCA & Athenahealth Partner On Community Integrated Health
Article July 21, 2016The USA YMCA (Y-USA) and athenahealth announced the organizations will work together to support and strengthen the role of the community-based organization in the delivery of preventive services, including the… Read MoreNew York Medicaid Upgrades Incentive Payments To Patient-Centered Medical Homes, Moves Health Homes Into Managed Care, & State Launches Major Mental Health Initiative
Article July 14, 2016New York has recently modified some existing Medicaid policies and created new initiatives to provide essential health care services to their most vulnerable residents. Beginning in January 2016 patient-centered medical… Read MoreA Michigan-based Coalition Is Using A Collaborative Care Model To Serve Low-income Residents With Mild To Moderate Mental Illness
Article July 14, 2016In 2012 the Washtenaw Health Initiative (WHI), a coalition of more than 60 health service organizations in Michigan’s Washtenaw County, implemented a collaborative care model (CoCM) to improve access to… Read MoreRelationship Building Is Essential For Effective Care Coordination In Patient-Centered Medical Homes
Article July 14, 2016A new report has found that relationship building may be the key ingredient in developing effective care coordination models. At its surface, this finding may seem obvious; however, in our… Read MoreWhat Makes A Health Home Successful?
Article June 22, 2016Last week at The 2016 OPEN MINDS Strategy & Innovation Institute, we explored health homes from every angle – from different states, different financing structures, different populations served, different care… Read MoreThe Integration Of Medicaid Addiction Treatment Services
Article June 22, 2016A few weeks ago we wrote about state coverage of addiction treatment benefits, which like mental health services are an optional service that states can cover. Unlike mental health services,… Read MoreState Spending On TANF Benefits – By Both Dollars & Programs – Varies Widely
Article June 22, 2016The growing payer, health plan, and care coordinator interest in incorporating social factors into reimbursement models and social services into service systems, is being driven by the move to measure… Read MoreIntegra Community Care Network & UnitedHealthcare Community Plan Launch First Rhode Island Medicaid Pilot ACO
Article June 22, 2016On April 14, 2016, Integra Community Care Network, LLC, (Integra) and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Rhode Island announced that they launched a Medicaid accountable care organization (ACO). UnitedHealthcare is collaborating… Read MoreHighmark Launches Quartet Health Analytics To Identify Behavioral Health Conditions
Article June 22, 2016On May 13, 2016, Highmark, Inc., a Pennsylvania-based Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan, announced a partnership with technology company Quartet Health focused on coordination of behavioral health and primary… Read MoreWisconsin DHS Withdraws Proposal For Medicaid Integrated Managed Medical, Behavioral & Long-Term Care
Article June 21, 2016On June 9, 2016, the Wisconsin Department of Human Services (DHS) informed the state legislature that it was withdrawing its proposal to implement a Medicaid managed care approach during the coming year that… Read MoreThe Impact Of Integrated Health Homes On Mental Health Service Delivery
On-Demand Webinar June 16, 2016The Medicaid health home option was established under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 and implementation began in 2011. In this webinar hear from two experts –… Read MoreMinnesota To Expand Access To Integrated Medicaid Special Needs BasicCare Managed Care Plans
Article June 13, 2016On February 8, 2016, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) released a request for proposals (RFP) for the Special Needs BasicCare (SNBC) program, which provides managed care services for… Read MoreStudy Identifies Reimbursement Models As Major Impediment To Integrated Behavioral Health & Primary Care
Article June 13, 2016Financing is a major barrier to integrating behavioral health and primary care because behavioral health has historically been treated as a separate benefit with a separate payment. Two financing strategies… Read MorePertexa Healthcare Technologies & Orchestrate Healthcare Announce Their Collaborative Partnership For Expert Radekal Integration
Article June 6, 2016Pertexa (PHT), an innovator in healthcare ingenuity, and Orchestrate Healthcare, a multi-year Best In KLAS award-winning leader in integration and interoperability consulting, announced a collaborative partnership to rapidly advance the… Read MoreCMS Approves Medicare Rate Increase For New York State Fully Integrated Dual Eligible Plans
Article June 2, 2016In January 2016, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved a shared risk adjustment rate increase for New York State’s Fully Integrated Duals Advantage (FIDA) plans to… Read MoreColorado Delays Accountable Care Collaborative Phase II Launch By 12 Months
Article June 2, 2016The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) has delayed implementation of value-based payments in Phase II of the Medicaid Accountable Care Collaborative (ACC) initiative by one year.… Read MoreThe New Hampshire Integrated Care Medicaid Waiver: The Provider Perspective
Article May 25, 2016Earlier this year, we covered the January 5, 2016 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approval of New Hampshire’s Medicaid waiver for a “sustainable integrated care system” (for a complete waiver timeline, see… Read MoreQuartet Health Raises $40 Million Investment To Expand Its Technology To Integrate Primary Care & Behavioral Health Into Six More Markets
Article May 20, 2016Quartet Health, which has been marketing its technology to integrate primary and behavioral health care in Boston recently raised $40 million in investment to expand into at least six new… Read MoreIntegrating Behavioral Health Into Primary Care
Article May 19, 2016Key Messages The majority of patients with depression are seen in a primary care setting, where a visit-based, problem-centered approach is often taken toward diagnosis and management of anxiety and… Read MoreNebraska Selects Aetna, Centene & UnitedHealthcare For Integrated Medicaid Managed Care Plans
Article May 6, 2016On February 5, 2016, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced it had selected Aetna Better Health of Nebraska, Nebraska Total Care (Centene), and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan… Read MoreAfter Nearly 20 Years, Concord Hospital’s Center For Integrative Medicine Set To Close
Article April 6, 2016After nearly 20 years, Concord Hospital closed its holistic-based Center for Integrative Medicine on March 4th. Though the standalone facility on Hall Street will be shutting its doors, many of… Read MoreCost Of Offering Medical Home Services: $30,991 In Initial Transformation & $147,573 In Maintenance
Article April 6, 2016The median one-time cost for primary care practices to develop the infrastructure to become patient-centered medical homes (PCMH) is $30,991, and the median annual cost to maintain the PCMH is $147,573.… Read More10 Philanthropic Foundations Launch Blue Meridian Partners To Invest $1 Billion In Evidence-Based Child-Focused Programs
Article April 6, 2016On January 29, 2016, the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation (EMCF) and group of nine other philanthropic foundations launched Blue Meridian Partners to invest at least $1 billion in non-profit organizations… Read MoreNew York Begins Readiness Reviews For Integrated Medicaid Medical/Behavioral Managed Care Plans Outside New York City
Article April 1, 2016During March 2016, the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) is starting on-site readiness reviews for Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) that will provide integrated medical and specialty… Read MoreNew Hypothesis & Treatment Targets Of Depression: An Integrated View Of Key Findings
Article April 1, 2016Key Messages Monoamine deficiency can only partially explain the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder (MDD). Extensive research has led to the development of several new hypotheses regarding the mechanisms of… Read More90% Of Patient-Centered Medical Home Studies Report Lower Costs & Lower Utilization
Article April 1, 2016According to a recent review of studies and outcome reports conducted by the Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative (PCPCC), more than 90% of studies report that primary care settings structured as… 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 MorePopulation Health Management Market Estimated At $14 Billion In 2015
Article March 21, 2016In 2015 the value of the population health management market was estimated at $14 billion. The market includes population health management tools and technologies. By 2020, the market value is… Read MoreAMA Invests $15 Million In Health2047 Start Up To Integrate Health Care Solutions
Article March 18, 2016On January 11, 2016, the American Medical Association (AMA) announced it had invested $15 million in Health2047, Inc., a for-profit, private, integrated innovation company that will explore health care innovations… Read MoreCMHC-Based Integrated Health Program For People With SMI Reduced Risk Of Metabolic Disorder After Six Months
Article March 18, 2016People diagnosed with serious mental illness (SMI) and other health risks related to metabolic disorder who participated in an integrated health care program called BE Well operated by a community… Read MoreKansas Medicaid To End SMI Health Homes Initiative June 30, 2016
Article March 18, 2016On January 29, 2016, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) informed stakeholders that it planned to end the Medicaid Health Home program for people with serious mental illness… Read MoreCMS Considering More Care Coordination Reporting For Dual Eligible Demonstrations
Article March 16, 2016The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is examining the feasibility of requiring states and integrated care organizations participating in the dual eligible Financial Alignment Demonstration to report… Read MoreNew Hampshire Medicaid Waiver Project To Focus On Integrated Delivery Of Behavioral Health Care
Article March 16, 2016On January 5, 2016, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved New Hampshire’s Medicaid waiver application for a project intended to develop a sustainable integrated behavioral and… Read MoreMoving Toward Integrated Behavioral Intervention For Treating Multimorbidity Among Chronic Pain, Depression, & Substance Use Disorders In Primary Care
Article March 2, 2016The following is a summary of Haibach JP, Beehler GP, Dollar KM, Finnell DS. Moving toward integrated behavioral intervention for treating multimorbidity among chronic pain, depression, and substance-use disorders in… Read MoreElements Of Successful CMHC-FQHC Partnerships
Article February 19, 2016Both federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and community mental health centers (CMHC) play an important role in serving the population of consumers with complex needs. The payer push for integrated… Read MoreMaricopa County’s Emerging Integrated Care Management Model
Article February 19, 2016Greetings again from sunny San Diego, where we are wrapping up The 2015 OPEN MINDS California Management Best Practices Institute – over the past few days we have had a… Read MoreHow Can We Deliver A Seamless Primary Care/Behavioral Health Consumer Experience?
Article February 5, 2016How can we deliver a seamless primary care/behavioral health consumer experience? This isn’t a trick question. Despite all the focus on service integration – and the money being spent on creating integrated service… Read MoreNew Medicaid Quality Measures Focus On Monitoring Opioids, Diabetes, & Antipsychotics
Article February 5, 2016In December 2015, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) added new Medicaid quality measures focused on monitoring opioids prescribed to adults, diabetes screening for adults taking antipsychotics,… Read MoreMedical Homes With Shared Savings Financing Increased Primary Care Visits & Decreased Unnecessary ER Visits
Article February 5, 2016Patients of primary care practices participating in a pilot medical home intervention that featured shared savings made 28% more primary care visits and 16.5% fewer unnecessary emergency department visits than… Read MoreGeisinger Health Plan ProvenHealth Navigator Medical Home Model Cut Costs By 8%
Article February 4, 2016The Geisinger Health Plan “ProvenHealth Navigator” patient-centered medical home (PCMH) model reduced the plan’s Medicare claims costs for more than 6,400 members by 7.9% from January 1, 2006 through June… Read MoreCollaborative Care For Patients With Depression & Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis
Article February 1, 2016Key Messages It is unclear whether collaborative care for patients with comorbid depression and diabetes mellitus produces improvements in outcomes compared with usual care in diabetes and depression. This meta-analysis… Read MoreA Foundational Approach To The Treatment Of Schizophrenia
On-Demand Webinar January 27, 2016Schizophrenia is a chronic and devastating illness, affecting more than 21 million people globally. In this webinar, experienced psychiatrists Noel Gardner, MD, and Michael Measom, MD, discuss the burden of… Read MoreWhat’s New In Arizona’s Mental Health System? Integrated Care Management Tops The List
Article January 26, 2016In 2015, the mental health delivery system in Arizona underwent some major changes. In October 2015, Arizona’s Medicaid program implemented a mandatory integrated health plan for individuals with serious mental… Read MorePennsylvania Medicaid To Expand SMI Integrated Care Program In 2016
Article January 25, 2016In 2016, the Pennsylvania Medicaid program will change its Integrated Care Program (ICP) for beneficiaries with serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI) and substance use disorder (SUD) to incorporate value-based… Read MoreNew York Medicaid Changes Reimbursements To Patient-Centered Medical Homes
Article January 22, 2016The New York Department of Health has announced changes to its patient-centered medical home (PCMH) incentive program for Medicaid provider organizations. The changes affect incentive payments made in all delivery… Read MoreUp To 90,000 Physicians Needed In United States By 2025
Article January 14, 2016By 2015, the United States will have a shortage of between 46,000 to 90,000 physicians. Between 2013 and 2025, physician supply is projected to increase by nine percent, but demand… Read MoreVeterans Choice Program Eligibility Changes Remove Barriers & Expand Access To Care
Article January 14, 2016On December 1, 2015, the federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced changes to make participation in the Veterans Choice Program easier and more convenient for veterans who need to… Read MoreDetroit-Wayne County Mental Health Authority Suspends Decision To Terminate Contract With Integrated Care Alliance
Article January 14, 2016In mid-December 2015, the Detroit Wayne County Mental Health Authority (DWMHA) board reversed a decision to terminate the authority’s contract with Integrated Care Alliance, LLC (ICA), a developmental disability service… Read MoreWashington State To End Medicaid Health Home Program
Article January 13, 2016On August 21, 2015, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) issued a draft plan for phasing out its Medicaid Health Home program by December 31, 2015. The phase out… Read MoreConsumer Cost-Sharing Methods Vary Widely Across Health Insurance Marketplace Plans
Article December 18, 2015Health plans sold through the federally facilitated health insurance Marketplace use a variety of cost sharing structures to provide the 10 essential health benefits and free preventive services for a… Read More70% Of Adult California Medicaid Beneficiaries With Severe Mental Illness Have No Diabetes-Specific Screening
Article December 17, 2015From 2009 through 2011, nearly 70% of California Medicaid beneficiaries with severe mental illness and taking antipsychotics received no diabetes-specific screening. About 31% received no glucose screening and about 39%… Read MoreCMS Developing Quality Star Ratings For Medicare-Medicaid Plans
Article December 9, 2015On November 6, 2015, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its strategy to establish a quality star ratings system for health plans established under the Financial… Read MorePennsylvania Medicaid To Expand Health Home Pilot Program For Pregnant Women With Substance Abuse Disorders
Article December 9, 2015During the first half of calendar year 2016, the Pennsylvania Medicaid program is planning launch a new program designed to better coordinate care for pregnant women with substance abuse disorders.… Read MoreMichigan Medicaid To Launch Primary Care Health Homes Program
Article December 9, 2015Michigan Medicaid is planning to launch the MI Care Team primary care health home pilot program in April 2016. The state released an invitation to bid (ITB 043116B0006411) on November… Read MoreMore Patients Getting Effective Treatment, But Progress Lags For Managing Chronic Diseases
Article December 8, 2015Between 2002 and 2012, national performance on 46 measures of effective health care treatment improved slightly according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Of the 46 measures… Read MoreIntegrated Primary Care Depression Management Program Reduced Mortality Risk
Article December 2, 2015Integrated primary care depression management reduces mortality rates for people with multiple chronic health conditions and depression, according to outcomes of a clinical trial, the Prevention of Suicide in Primary Care… Read MoreCornerstones Of Care & Netsmart Align To Accelerate The Integration Of Care & Technology In Human Services
Article November 23, 2015It’s often said, treating the “whole person” requires that technology be used to break down information silos between social, behavioral and physical care providers. Much progress has been made, but… Read MoreEHRs Limit Integration Of Behavioral Health & Primary Care Data
Article November 23, 2015The structure of electronic health records (EHR) designed for use in primary care settings do not support integration of behavioral health, according to an observational study of eight primary care… Read MoreHHS Awards $240 Million To Expand Primary Care Workforce
Article November 17, 2015The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced more than $240 million – including about $176 million in Affordable Care Act funding – to support the National Health… Read MoreNew Qualifacts Carelogic Integration Hub™ Improves Interoperability Of Behavioral Healthcare Data For Better Outcomes
Article November 16, 2015NASHVILLE, Tenn., October 27, 2015 – Qualifacts Systems, Inc., the largest web-based platform for integrated clinical, financial, reporting and administrative solutions for the behavioral health and human services industries, today… Read MoreBuilding A Successful Integrated Care Model From The Inside Out
Interview October 27, 2015The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that in 2013, an estimated 18.5% of adults age 18 or older (43.8 million) experienced mental illness during the year.[i]… Read MoreWhat’s The Connection Between Accountable Care Organizations & Medical Homes?
Article October 8, 2015Two Innovative Delivery Systems Amid the transformations happening in the health care world, Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and medical homes have emerged as two of the newer models for delivering… Read MoreMaintaining PCMHs Projected To Cost $105,000 Per Clinical Professional Per Year
Article October 8, 2015Maintaining staffing required to deliver patient-centered medical home (PCMH) functions is projected to cost $105,000 per primary care clinical professional, per year, according to an analysis of PCMH costs in… Read MoreWhat Has Been The Cost – & The Results – Of SAMHSA’s Primary Behavioral Health Care Integration (PBHCI) Program?
Article October 8, 2015A couple of weeks ago, my colleague Sarah Threnhauser talked about the different types of integration models – integrated service delivery system and integrated care coordination (see All Integration Is… Read More3.4% Of Physician Compensation In Primary Care Practices In ACOs Is Based On Quality Measures
Article October 8, 2015About 3.4% of compensation for physicians in primary care practices participating in an accountable care organization (ACOs) is based on performance on quality measures. For physicians at non-ACO primary care… Read MoreReferral To Collaborative Outpatient Mental Health Care More Effective In Primary Care Settings Than Specialty Care
Article October 1, 2015Over five years (2003-2009), adults with non-acute mental health disorders (such as anxiety or mood disorder) who were referred to a collaborative care program (CCP) in primary care settings, used… Read MorePhysicians Using CNS Response PEER Mental Health Data Registry Report Drop In Need For Medication Management Visits
Article October 1, 2015Physicians using the CNS Response Psychiatric EEG Evaluation Registry (PEER Online), a mental health data registry, doubled improvement in prescribing effective medication over the usual approach of trial and error… Read MoreOne-Third Of Adults Ages 25 To 45 Provide Unpaid Care For A Disabled Family Member
Article September 30, 2015About one-third of adults between the ages of 25 and 45 provide unpaid care for a disabled family member. About 59% of those who are caregivers provide care on a… Read MoreDiabetes Identified As Independent Risk Factors For Alzheimer’s Disease; High Job Complexity & School Functioning Associates With Lower Rates
Article September 30, 2015Type 1 diabetes and low early childhood cognitive ability are independent risk factors that raise the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease, according to new research findings presented at the Alzheimer’s Association… 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 MoreAll Integration Is Not The Same
Article September 8, 2015Greetings from sunny San Diego! Today we launched the 2015 OPEN MINDS California Management Best Practices Institute with a pre-institute workshop “Succeeding In A World Of Integrated Care: Options For Behavioral Health… Read MoreIowa Selects Amerigroup, AmeriHealth Caritas, UnitedHealthcare & WellCare For Medicaid Integrated Physical & Behavioral Health Contracts
Article September 8, 2015On August 17, 2015, the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) announced it had selected proposals submitted by Amerigroup Iowa, Inc.; AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa, Inc.; UnitedHealthcare Plan of the River… Read MoreFederal Task Force Says Evidence Insufficient To Support Universal Primary Care Early Autism Screening
Article August 31, 2015On August 3, 2015, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) said the evidence base was insufficient to determine the benefits and harms of conducting universal primary care screening… Read MoreCommunity Health Worker Peer Support Programs In Primary Care Improve Access To Care
Article August 28, 2015Consumer access to health care services and adherence to treatment for chronic conditions improved among patients of primary care patient-centered medical homes (PCMH) operated by 10 provider organizations that implemented… Read MoreThe Collaborative Care Model: A Look Under The Hood
Article August 11, 2015In its simplest form, integrated behavioral health care involves behavioral and medical caregivers working together to improve or restore a consumer’s health[i]. The Collaborative Care Model (CCM) is a specific… Read MoreFew Quality Indicators Measure Quality Of Physical/Behavioral Integrated Services
Article July 21, 2015Few National Quality Forum (NQF)-endorsed health care quality measures focus on integration of behavioral and physical health care. Of 617 quality of care measures endorsed by the NQF, only 32… Read MoreCastlight Health Partners With Lyra Health On Integrated Primary Care & Behavioral Health Technology
Article July 21, 2015On June 25, 2015, Castlight Health, Inc. and Lyra Health announced an alliance to develop and market a technology developed by Lyra Health to facilitate delivery of integrated behavioral health… Read MoreJ.D. Kleinke Elected To Primary Care Progress Board Of Directors
Article July 15, 2015Primary Care Progress announced the election of J.D. Kleinke to its Board of Directors. Kleinke established Health Grades, Inc., for which he served as Executive Vice Chairman of the Board… Read MoreOntario, Canada Government Expands Use Of Integrated Mental Health & Addictions Care Models
Article July 2, 2015On June 10, 2015, the Adopting Research to Improve Care (ARTIC) program in Ontario, Canada, announced it was continuing the expansion of integrated behavioral and physical health with the selection… Read MoreNetsmart Coordinated Care Technology Facilitates Behavioral & Physical Health Integration
Article June 29, 2015Nearly 70 percent of adults with behavioral health conditions also have co-occurring physical health issues, according to a study by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors. In… Read MoreOptum Behavioral Health & UnitedHealthcare Launch Integrated Pain & Depression Program
Article June 29, 2015On April 7, 2015, Optum’s behavioral health business announced it was expanding an integrated Pain and Depression Program in collaboration with its sister company UnitedHealthcare. The program launched in 2014 as a pilot… Read MoreSolution Needed: Incorporating Addiction Treatment Data Into The Integrated Care Model
Article May 22, 2015For “integrated care” to work – whether we’re talking about integrated service delivery or about integrated care management of accountable care organizations (ACOs) or medical homes – the most important element is… Read MorePatient-Centered Medical Homes Show Fewer Emergency Department Visits For Medicare Patients
Article April 27, 2015Outpatient emergency department visit volume increased more slowly between 2008 and 2010 for Medicare beneficiaries served by a primary care patient-centered medical home (PCMH) than for beneficiaries served by non-PCMH… Read MoreEvaluation Of Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative Finds Hospital Admissions Down 2% & ER Visits Down 3%
Article April 9, 2015During the first year of the Medicare Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative (CPC), from October 2012 through December 2013, average hospital admissions among 316,000 Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) beneficiaries served by the… Read MoreEHR Use Highest Among Internal Medicine & Pediatrics, Psychiatrist EHR Use Lags
Article March 9, 2015Physician practice usage of electronic health records (EHRs) varies by specialty, with the highest EHR use among internal medicine specialists and pediatricians and the lowest use among psychiatrists. According to… Read MorePatient-Centered Medical Homes: The Health Care “Contractors” Managing Service Delivery One System At A Time
Article January 15, 2015“Providing health care is like building a house. The task requires experts, expensive equipment and materials, and a huge amount of coordination. Imagine that, instead of paying a contractor to… Read MoreGreater Arizona Integrated Behavioral Health Managed Care Contracts Awarded To Health Choice Integrated Care & Cenpatico Integrated Care
Article January 7, 2015On December 18, 2014, the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) announced it had awarded contracts for the Greater Arizona Integrated Regional Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA) Northern and Southern regions… Read MoreIntegration of Depression & Primary Care: Barriers To Adoption
Article December 15, 2014Key Messages The integration of mental health services into the primary care setting remains limited. Integration of depression care and primary care faces many barriers (e.g., patient comorbidities, patient and… Read MorePatient-Centered Medical Homes Spend More, Earn More Than Traditional Primary Care Practices
Article December 10, 2014Patient-centered medical home (PCMH) practices spent about a third more ($43) per patient than non–medical home practices but earned nearly twice as much ($66) per patient after operating costs, in… Read MoreTaking Care Of Business: Six Key Administrative Requirements For Surviving & Thriving In An Integrated Service Environment
Article November 10, 2014Much of the discussion about the integration of mental and primary health service focuses on the clinical and financial aspects of the process and for good reason. The goal of… Read MoreMapping The Road To Integrated Services: What Are the Options? Exploring The Existing Framework
Article November 10, 2014If you work in the mental health field, it’s no secret that there is a movement to integrate the delivery of mental health services and primary care. This “push” towards… Read MoreHow Can Behavioral Health Services “Work” In Primary Care?
Article November 8, 2014Payer adoption of integrated care coordination models, and medical homes in particular, is on the increase. In part, this is due to continuing analysis of the cost effectiveness of these… Read MoreSystemwide Adoption Of Behavioral Health & Primary Care Integration Estimated To Save $26 Billion Annually
Article November 7, 2014Integrating medical and behavioral health care for individuals with co-morbid chronic medical conditions and mental health or addiction disorders could generate annual savings of $26 billion, according to an analysis… Read MoreMarketing In An Emerging “Integrated” Market – Take The 10,000 Foot View
Article October 22, 2014One of the challenges of the current market is figuring out how to “market” a specific program. With the adoption of more managed care and integrated care management models, the… Read MoreThinking About Integration? You’re Not Alone
Article October 22, 2014This month, we reviewed the stories that were most read during the first half of 2014. One common thread — collaborative care models and integrated delivery systems are high on… Read MoreWhat’s In A Word? A Lot, If That Word Is “Integrated”
Article October 22, 2014The word “integrated” has reached the point of no meaning (like “quality”, “managed care”, and “clinically appropriate” to name a few). We’ve reached the point that when someone uses “integrated”… Read MoreKeep In Mind The “Why” Of Integration
Article September 29, 2014In the past, I’ve covered the presentation by Arthur Evans, the Commissioner of Philadelphia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS), “What’s The Future Of Behavioral Health In… Read MoreStay Connected:
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