141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

280950
Clinical and collaborative challenges in behavioral health in the era of the affordable care act

Monday, November 4, 2013 : 5:15 PM - 5:30 PM

April Moreno, MPA, MA , Substance Abuse Prevention and Control, Government Relations, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Alhambra, CA
Angelita Balanon, MA, MPH , Substance Abuse Prevention and Control, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Alhambra
Table 3: Clinical/Operational: This table will discuss infrastructure and operational changes that are needed for behavioral health providers to successfully collaborate and coordinate clinical care with primary medical providers, ACO's, insurance companies and other support agencies.

The field of substance abuse disorders faces numerous challenges on the road toward full implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Policy issues include preparedness for the Medicaid expansion and the newly eligible, compliance with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Act of 2008, and understanding 42 CFR Part 2 and HIPAA regulations in integrating primary care, mental health, and substance abuse services. These are the continuous challenges ahead as legislation is still in the process of final determination. Substance abuse providers must be prepared for these policy changes, which will require the need for integration strategies with primary care and mental health services. Preparedness activities will include developing collaborative partnerships with entities including insurance providers, Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), and community clinics, in addition to meeting accreditation needs and changes resulting from the Medicaid expansion and services to the dual eligible (Medicare-Medicaid) population. This discussion will explain the ACA and current integration needs in the field of substance use disorders (SUD), provide comprehensive strategies and practical examples of integration preparedness for SUD service organizations to prepare for the ACA, and discuss strategies for networking with primary care, behavioral health, and other SUD providers for successful coordination of care.

Learning Areas:
Program planning
Provision of health care to the public
Public health or related public policy
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Explain how the Affordable Care Act affects substance abuse disorder services Describe the agency’s implementation preparedness process for health care reform Demonstrate a case study model for substance abuse disorders preparedness

Keywords: Health Care Reform, Substance Abuse

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been involved as a research and government relations analyst in health care reform preparedness with Los Angeles County Substance Abuse Prevention and Control since the beginning stages of preparation for this legislation. This has involved being part of the planning work groups and facilitation of groups for health care reform preparedness.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.