Providers & Networks | Behavioral Health Today

32 Leading health care providers announced as Pioneer Accountable Care Organizations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 19, 2011 Contact: HHS Press Office (202) 690-6343 Affordable Care Act helps 32 health systems improve care for patients, saving up to $1.1 billion

Leading health care providers will be Pioneer Accountable Care Organizations

Thirty-two leading health care organizations from across the country will participate in a new Pioneer [...]

CDC takes new steps to combat childhood obesity…without direct behavioral health involvement

Research project will focus on doctors, communities and families to help children make healthy choices

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today launched a new effort to address childhood obesity using successful elements of both primary care and public health. Funding made available through the Affordable Care Act will support a four [...]

For-Profit Publicly Traded Medicaid Managed Care Plans Rack Up Higher Admin Costs

The Commonwealth Fund reports that for-profit publicly traded plans spent 14% of member premiums on administrative costs, while non-publicly traded plans owned by health systems, local providers and clinics spent 10% of premiums on administrative costs. Provider-owned and operated plans had the lowest administrative costs, with a paltry 8% of member premiums spent on [...]

Behavioral Health Recommendations for Accountable Care Organizations

As we begin to chart our course toward Accountable Care Organizations, let us keep in mind that mental health and substance use disorder providers are often starting their journey from a different point of origin than are their medical counterparts. Let’s face it, behavioral health providers are often under-resourced and under-capitalized compared to MSOs, IPAs [...]

How Can Providers Optimize Preparations for Parity?

In order to maximize the opportunities associated with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA or “Parity”) in the commercial/private health insurance sectors, particularly among ERISA group plans, substance use disorder treatment providers (among others) are encouraged to conduct some serious business and strategic planning in the coming weeks and months. By [...]

Seize the Opportunity: Experts Agree that BH Field Must Standardize Tools and Integrate with Primary Care

It’s true that the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA, or “Parity” as it is often referred to) and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) create many opportunities for integration between mental health, substance use disorder and primary care providers. However, some of that integration will feel like a draconian [...]

The Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act-Are you ready for Parity?

Next week’s webinar will offer payors a roadmap to readiness. Register here:

http://behavioralhealthcentral.com/index.php/Event-Registration/vmchk.ht

Parity Legislation Compliance Webinar Series Part 1: Getting Ready for Mental Health Parity Wednesday, December 9 at 2 p.m.

The Mental Health Parity [...]

The Behavioral Health Field Must Address Quality – Part 1

Last week, the President of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), Margaret O’Kane, reported that quality of care in the United States did not improve in 2008. She went on to say that she believes health reform must address quality. A review of the report makes it abundantly clear to this author that [...]

Parity & Reform Must Address Rural Behavioral Health Care and Coverage

So much of what we’re hearing, reading and considering when it comes to behavioral health parity and health insurance reform is a function of our urban and suburban perceptions of health care. I lived and worked in a rural/frontier state for some time and can recall the difficulties and challenges we faced there and [...]

“Addiction Equity” – Addressing Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Coverage with the help of ASAM

We recently presented to the State Associations of Addictions Services (SAAS) at their annual summit in Tucson where they had joined forces with NIATx (and by extension SAMHSA and NIDA) in the interest of exploring patient engagement strategies, the exchange of process improvement ideas, and understanding how healthcare reform and the Mental Health Parity [...]

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