322830
Transition to Health Homes from Mental Health Targeted Case Management and Assertive Community Treatment
The realities of a transition to a new system of care management raises concerns that vulnerable persons may lose access to necessary services. This study evaluates health service utilization and cost before and after Health Home enrollment for cohorts enrolled in Targeted Case Management and Assertive Community Treatment HH models.
Methods: This study describes Health Home enrollment and characteristics of the TCM (n=17,134) and ACT (n=3,749) groups using data from a Health Home tracking system and NYS MedicaidMixed effects regression. This data was used to model changes in service utilization and cost, controlling for demographics, illness severity, and HH enrollment.
Findings: Preliminary findings indicate reductions in high-cost service use. For example, there was a reduction for the TCM group of $40.70 per recipient for ED visits from the year prior to year following enrollment (p < .0001). As context for these findings, it is useful note that service standards for ACT were maintained as required by regulations, whereas standards for the TCM program were not.
Implications: Health Homes have the potential to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations while reducing health costs. Study findings are used to shed light on initial implementation of this new model of care.
Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and preventionConduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Public health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Describe the results of preliminary implementation of Health Homes for persons with serious mental illness in New York State.
Keyword(s): Health Systems Transformation, Mental Health System
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the Director of the Office of Performance Measurement and Evaluation at the New York State Office of Mental Health (NYSOMH) and have an extensive background as a research scientist in public mental health. I oversee the monitoring and evaluation of NYSOMH programs state-wide including the recent implementation of Health Homes for persons with serious mental illness.
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.