The journal of behavioral health services & research
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J Behav Health Serv Res · Jan 2016
Barriers and Enablers to Integrating Mental Health into Primary Care: A Policy Analysis.
Integrating care for physical health and behavioural health (mental health and addictions) has been a longstanding challenge, although research supports the clinical and cost effectiveness of integrated care for many clients. In one such model, primary care (PC) physicians work with specialist physicians and non-physician providers (NPPs) to provide mental health and addictions care in PC settings. This Ontario, Canada-focused policy analysis draws on research evidence to examine potential barriers and enablers to this model of integrated care, focusing on mental health. ⋯ Legal/regulatory challenges pertain to NPP scopes of practice for prescribing and counselling. Integrated care also requires revising the role of the physician and distribution of functions among the team. Policy support to integrate addictions treatment in PC may face similar challenges but requires further exploration.
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J Behav Health Serv Res · Oct 2015
ReviewKey Data Gaps Regarding the Public Health Issues Associated with Opioid Analgesics.
Most pharmaceutical opioids are used to treat pain, and they have been demonstrated to be effective medications for many. Their abuse and misuse pose significant public health concerns in the USA. ⋯ Data specific to these gaps would enhance the validity and real-world applications of systems-level models of this public health problem and would increase understanding of the complex system in which use and abuse occur. This paper provides an overview of these gaps, argues for the importance of closing them, and provides specific recommendations for future data collection efforts.
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J Behav Health Serv Res · Oct 2014
Do not turn out the lights on the public mental health system when the ACA is fully implemented.
When all of the insurance and health care reforms of the ACA are fully implemented, some public financing needs for behavioral health services will remain. This commentary outlines a number of the residual functions of the public mental health system in an ACA world, and it identifies opportunities for expansions of service areas not covered by traditional insurance or the health delivery reforms for behavioral health services within the scope of the ACA.
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J Behav Health Serv Res · Oct 2014
How the affordable care act and mental health parity and addiction equity act greatly expand coverage of behavioral health care.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) will expand coverage of mental health and substance use disorder benefits and federal parity protections to over 60 million Americans. The key to this expansion is the essential health benefit provision in the ACA that requires coverage of mental health and substance use disorder services at parity with general medical benefits. ⋯ The ACA offers states flexibility in expanding Medicaid (primarily to childless adults, not generally eligible previously) to cover supportive services needed by those with significant behavioral health conditions in addition to basic benefits at parity. Through these various new requirements, the ACA in conjunction with Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) will expand coverage of behavioral health care by historic proportions.
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J Behav Health Serv Res · Jan 2013
Behavioral health and health care reform models: patient-centered medical home, health home, and accountable care organization.
Discussions of health care delivery and payment reforms have largely been silent about how behavioral health could be incorporated into reform initiatives. This paper draws attention to four patient populations defined by the severity of their behavioral health conditions and insurance status. It discusses the potentials and limitations of three prominent models promoted by the Affordable Care Act to serve populations with behavioral health conditions: the Patient-Centered Medical Home, the Health Home initiative within Medicaid, and the Accountable Care Organization. To incorporate behavioral health into health reform, policymakers and practitioners may consider embedding in the reform efforts explicit tools-accountability measures and payment designs-to improve access to and quality of care for patients with behavioral health needs.