Behavioral Health | Behavioral Health Today

EHR Systems and Behavioral Health: Advice for the Faint of Heart

The RAND Corporation recently released a report expounding the virtues of electronic health records systems’ positive impact on healthcare costs. This hotly debated topic almost always addresses the cost of medical care, hospitalizations, labs, imaging and surgery and almost never includes the cost of behavioral health. Our field’s rate of technology adoption probably has [...]

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 [...]

CMS Offers States, CHIP and Medicaid MCOs Limited Direction with Respect to Parity

On November 4th Cindy Mann of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) offered a rare glimpse into the guidance and direction plans and providers around the country are anticipating in January. Specifically, her letter was directed to “State Health Officials” responsible for Medicaid and CHIP. Her purpose was to provide some “general [...]

The Behavioral Health Field Must Address Quality Part 2

When the 2009 State of Health Care Quality Report lists 5 trouble spots – and all are related to behavioral healthcare – it should catalyze our efforts to achieve quality goals in our field. How do we make it happen?

I am suggesting that we approach quality in our field the same way we’ve [...]

Parity Receives DOL Boost: Employer Benefit Plans Cannot Evade The Law

Those of you with no legal background, brace yourselves for this opening line: The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) – which is housed within the Department of Labor and oversees ERISA – through their Office of Health Plan Standards and Compliance Assistance, states that Parity will be subject to the “anti-abuse” proposed rule – 29 [...]

The Commonwealth Fund Reports on Suicide -Access and Equity in Coverage Make A Difference

The Commonwealth Fund has released it 2009 report titled: “Aiming Higher – Results from A State Scorecard on Health System Performance” and the evidence is irrefutable where suicide prevention is concerned. States that demonstrate improved access to mental health care, especially among the most vulnerable populations, show a dramatic decrease in the rate of [...]

Are Health Reform and Health Plans Mutually Exclusive?

Tuesday, the Senate Finance Committee will take up the fate of at least one reform proposal. On the eve of that vote, the American Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) released a report prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) demonstrating the bill will wind up costing more than its authors are admitting. Talking heads are exploding in an [...]

Parity Regulations & Technical Guidance Delayed until after January 1, 2010. Can Pamela Hyde Get Approved and Help?

Surprised about the delay? No, but employers and plans will need to move forward carefully, doing everything they can to comply reasonably and in “good faith” until we receive clarification.

On October 2nd, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius wrote to House and Senate lawmakers saying that the administration “aims” to issue regulations for the one-year [...]

Reform Package Gains Steam – Stigma Dealt Another in a Series of Crushing Blows

The Senate Finance Committee has wrapped up its debate over the most significant changes in the U.S. health-care system in decades. In the process, they have made the bill more attractive to Republicans and moderate Blue Dog Democrats by making some crucial concessions. Namely, they have agreed to eliminate the legislation’s most punitive taxes [...]

Mental Health Providers Lining Up Behind Reforms – Good News For Individuals Suffering From Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders?

The American Psychological Association (APA) announced today that it supports H.R. 3200, America’s Affordable Health Choices Act, as the basis for health reform. This action follows the American Medical Association’s (AMA) decision to do the same. The benefits of the bill cited by the APA include:

Requiring a “basic benefit package” for all plans [...]

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