The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #44487

Stephen Baron, LCSW-C, Baltimore Mental Health Systems, Inc., 201 East Baltimore St., Suite 1340, Baltimore, MD 21202, 410/837-2647, sbaron@bmhsi.org

Baltimore Mental Health Systems, Inc., Baltimore City’s mental health authority, developed a performance contract capitation program to serve “high cost” severely disabled mentally ill patients, with the aim of providing incentives for service providers to develop novel and cost-effective solutions to service delivery problems. This paper discusses the logic of capitation funding mechanisms and their potential advantages over fee-for-service or grant-based programs. It further describes the process for setting up the Baltimore program with unified funding streams, performance contracting and incentives for quality.

Learning Objectives:

• To understand the advantages and disadvantages of capitated funding mechanisms for services for the severely mentally ill, and the particular model developed in Baltimore.

Keywords: Mental Health Services, Financing

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Baltimore Mental Health Systems, Inc.
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: President, Batimore Mental Health Services, Inc.