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 guidance” [...]

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 one [...]

In Support of a Public-Private Option

Throughout the campaign, we heard a chorus that went something like this: “I want those of you who are uninsured to benefit from coverage similar to mine. Federal employees enrolled in the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program (FEHBP) have tremendous health insurance. We could leverage these plans, model a solution accordingly, and vastly expand enrollment [...]

Expanding Access to Behavioral Health Services Akin to Removing Barriers

As we approach the launch of Parity this Fall and Winter and slog through the trials and tribulations of the Healthcare Reform “process” in Washington DC, we are reminded that one of the overarching goals for both Parity and Reform is enhanced access to high-quality care.  I don’t know about you but that particular goal [...]