Overview of publicly funded managed behavioral health care.
Coleman, Mardia A. ; Schnapp, William ; Hurwitz, Debra ; Hedberg, Sabine ; Cabral, Linda M. ; Laszlo, Aniko ; Himmelstein, Jay
Citations
Student Authors
Faculty Advisor
Academic Program
UMass Chan Affiliations
Document Type
Publication Date
Subject Area
Collections
Embargo Expiration Date
Link to Full Text
Abstract
Using MEDLINE and other Internet sources, the authors perform a systematic review of published literature. A total of 109 articles and reports are identified and reviewed that address the development, implementation, outcomes, and trends related to Managed behavioral health care (MBHC). MBHC remains a work in progress. States have implemented their MBHC programs in a number of ways, making interstate comparisons challenging. While managed behavioral health care can lower costs and increase access, ongoing concerns about MBHC include potential incentives to under-treat those with more severe conditions due to the nature of risk-based contracting, the tendency to focus on acute care, difficulties assuring quality and outcomes consistently across regions, and a potential cost-shift to other public agencies or systems. Success factors for MBHC programs appear to include stakeholder involvement in program and policy development, effective contract development and management, and rate adequacy.
Source
Coleman M, Schnapp W, Hurwitz D, Hedberg S, Cabral L, Laszlo A, Himmelstein J. "Overview of publicly funded managed behavioral health care." Adm Policy Ment Health. 2005 Mar;32(4):321-40.