Effects of the Vermont Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity Law

Acknowledgments

This report was prepared by Mathematica Policy Research, Inc., under contract number 282-98-002 (08) for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Jeffrey Buck, Ph.D., Associate Director for Organization and Financing, Center for Mental Health Services, SAMHSA, served as project officer for this report. Mady Chalk, Ph.D., and Joan Dilonardo, Ph.D., of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, SAMHSA, also provided support for the project and contributed to its design.

The study also received in-kind support from the Vermont Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities, and Health Care Administration. Theresa Alberghini, Norma Wasko, Susan Gretkowski, and Donna Jerry facilitated access to data and provided feedback on the design and implementation of the evaluation.

Numerous Vermont stakeholders contributed to one or more components of this evaluation. The survey of Vermont employers relied on data from the Vermont Department of Employment and Training, which provided the sampling frame for the survey. Appreciation is also given to the staff of the two health plans who provided enrollment and claims data for this evaluation. The special contributions of Ken Libertoff, Executive Director of the Vermont Association for Mental Health, are particularly noted for ongoing support of this evaluation.

Without the efforts of many Mathematica Policy Research staff, this report would not have been possible. For the employer survey, Sara Bausch served as survey assistant, Mark Dentini as programmer manager, and Jennifer McNeill as CATI programmer. Deborah Reese directly supervised the interviewing staff, Stephanie Naber supervised the locating staff, and Darryl Creel provided statistical programming support. Joe Garrett and Frank Potter provided internal consultation during the sample design for the employer survey. Deo Bencio provided programming expertise in the construction of the analytic files for the claims/encounter data analysis, and Mei-Ling Mason and Laurie Meneades provided programming support in earlier phases of the project. Deborah Chollet reviewed a draft of this report and made useful suggestions to improve the overall quality of the report. Finally, Roy Grisham provided excellent editorial support, and Margaret Hallisey and Ruth-Ann Alger provided assistance with the final production of this report.

Disclaimer
The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of SAMHSA or DHHS.

Public Domain Notice
All material appearing in this report is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without permission from SAMHSA. Citation of the source is appreciated. However, this publication may not be reproduced or distributed for a fee without the specific, written authorization of the Office of Communications, SAMHSA, DHHS.

Electronic Access and Copies of Publication
This publication can be accessed electronically at www.samhsa.gov. For additional free copies of this document, please call SAMHSA's Mental Health Services Information Clearinghouse at 1-800-789-2647 or National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information, 1-800-729-6686.

Recommended Citation
Rosenbach, M., Lake, T., Young, C., et al. (2003). Effects of the Vermont Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity Law. DHHS Pub. No. (SMA) 03-3822. Rockville, MD: Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Originating Office
Office of Organization and Financing, Center for Mental Health Services, and Organization and Financing Branch, Division of Services Improvement, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857.

DHHS Publication No. (SMA) 03-3822
Printed 2003

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