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American Public Health Association
133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition
December 10-14, 2005
Philadelphia, PA
APHA 2005
 
5063.1: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 8:50 AM

Abstract #109452

Managed care mental health services:Influences on quality, continuity and access

Virginia L. Miller, DrPH, Zongshan Lai, MPH, R. Michael Massanari, MD, MS, and Leslie Mahlmeister, MBA. Center for Healthcare Effectiveness Research, Wayne State University School of Medicine, RM 121 Shiffman Medical Library, 4325 Brush Street, Detroit, MI 48201, 313.577.5189, mmassana@med.wayne.edu

In 2002, Michigan joined a growing number of states utilizing managed care models for the delivery of mental health services in order to reduce the cost of mental health care. While concern has been expressed that managed care may inappropriately reduce access to mental health services, the issue has received little systematic examination (Surgeon General's report, 1999). In Michigan, Medicaid managed care guidelines mandate eligibility screening every 30 days. Wayne State University Project CARE assessed the extent to which this policy interrupts continuity/access to care and/or poses a barrier. Our objectives included: to assess the magnitude of switching managed care plans among the patients served by a large community mental health agency; to describe the population of patients switching among the plans; to identify reasons for switching and its effect on continuity/access to care; and to propose policy recommendations to ensure optimal access/continuity of services. Data from the community mental health database for the period 10.01.02 through 3.31.03 were examined. During this initial period, more than 3800 patients, representing approximately 7 percent of the total patient population served through the community mental health agency, changed their managed care plan. During the subsequent time period 4.01.03 through 9.30.03, the proportion of patients switching managed care plans dropped to under 3 percent. These findings highlight the critical role of information technology and ongoing systematic measurement for assessing quality of services under managed care.

Learning Objectives:

  • At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to

    Keywords: Managed Care, Mental Health

    Presenting author's disclosure statement:

    I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

    [ Recorded presentation ] Recorded presentation

    Issues in Mental Health Services Research and Policy

    The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA