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Behavioral Healthcare

STORY OF THE WEEK

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States’ Uninsured Benefits Neglect Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders

New data indicates that more than one in four adult Americans without medical insurance have a mental illness or substance use disorder, or both. But many state healthcare initiatives intended to cover the uninsured are neglecting these conditions, according to a report by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare (National Council).

The report reveals that benefits for mental illness and substance use treatment vary greatly across states. Among the report's findings:

Based on a study of 18 states, approximately 60 percent provide equal coverage for mental illnesses in initiatives for the uninsured, but only 28 percent provide equal coverage for substance use disorders.
Basic parity is not enough. More states need to address problems with scope of benefits, co-payments, prior approvals, and shortages of mental health professionals.
Few states are including mental illness and substance use disorders in wellness and chronic disease management programs.

Mental illness is the leading cause and substance use the second leading cause, of disability among adults. Approximately one-third of people with these disorders who live below the federal poverty line do not have insurance.

“We can effectively treat substance use disorders and mental illnesses, and people that suffer from these debilitating conditions deserve treatment,” said Linda Rosenberg, President and CEO of the National Council. “It is distressing that there are insurance plans and healthcare reform initiatives that continue to discriminate.”

The report is available at http://www.HealthcareforUninsured.org. It is supported by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Source: The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, June 16, 2008

The Clinician's Guide to Managed Behavioral Care

This report addresses how clinicians can develop and market professional services attuned to the needs of managed care systems, how to best manage the utilization review process, how to reshape an office practice or hospital-based program to become more "managed care friendly," and how to best advocate for patients and clients.

The Clinician's Guide to Managed Behavioral Care is available from the Healthcare Intelligence Network for $68.90 by visiting our Online Bookstore or by calling toll-free (888) 446-3530.

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IMPORTANT NOTICE: This information is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information on the business of healthcare. It is distributed with the understanding that Healthcare Intelligence Network is not engaged in rendering legal advice. If legal advice is required, the services of a competent professional should be retained.