CONSUMER AFFAIRS BULLETIN
Volume 2, No. 1 Spring 1997

Managed Care-Know All That You Can Know

"The mental health world continues to change rapidly in the United States in response to the development and evolution of managed care. Currently, almost two-thirds of persons with mental health insurance are covered under managed care plans, and almost four/fifths of the states are implementing changes in their Medicaid programs that will impact upon mental health service delivery." This is the opening paragraph of the Executive Summary of the new SAMHSA/CMHS publication Mental Health, United States, 1996.

This volume has considerable managed care information. One chapter that may be of particular interest is chapter 3. The authors analyze two managed care firms in terms of basic concepts of managed mental health care, the operational philosophy, managed care practice, and barriers to managed care potential. Mental Health, United States, 1996 is available through the National Mental Health Information Center.

The pamphlet, Managed Mental Health Care, What to Look For, What to Ask remains one of the Agency's most requested materials. A Spanish language version has been produced. (This pamphlet was discontinued in 10/02, a replacement will be available in 2003).

Another important managed care activity in progress is a Federal Mental Health Parity Study. The Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) awarded a one year contract to Mathematica Policy Research, Inc., to summarize cost estimates of providing insurance coverage of mental health and substance abuse (MH/SA) services at levels equitable with other physical health conditions; to update such estimates and separately assess the costs of alternative policy options for increasing the coverage of MH/ SA services; to describe current state legislation affecting the coverage of MH/SA services within health insurance plans, and issues associated with such legislation; and to describe the effects of parity legislation on utilization and costs of MH/SA services in states having such legislation. For additional information, please contact Dr. Jeff Buck Project Officer, Office of Organization and Financing, Center for Mental Health Services, at (301) 443-0588.

Consumer Affairs Bulletin
Volume 2, No. 1 Spring 1997