Treatment | Behavioral Health Today

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 [...]

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 suicide. [...]

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 in [...]

World Suicide Prevention Day – September 10th – Another Good Reason For Effective Treatment and Coverage

Today is Suicide Prevention Day sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP). The relationship between suicide prevention and the breadth and value of behavioral health coverage as well as access to qualified experts who deliver evidence-based practices is clear and crucial. Enhanced care and coverage does positively [...]

Challenges & Opportunities in Public Behavioral Health Systems

I am attending the SAMHSA Grantees conference this week and presenting on the topic of Parity. The theme for the entire conference is “Challenges & Opportunities”. I’ve already prepared my slides and hand-outs but did a bit more thinking on the plane. I did more reading, to be honest. My briefcase is jammed with papers [...]

Recent Posts

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

The Behavioral Health Field Must Address Quality – Part 1

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

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

World Suicide Prevention Day – September 10th – Another Good Reason For Effective Treatment and Coverage

Challenges & Opportunities in Public Behavioral Health Systems

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