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Behavioral health services: carved out and managed
1United Behavioral Health, San Francisco, CA 94105-2426, USA.
The American Journal of Managed Care
|May 31, 1998
Summary
Financial pressures spurred an examination of mental healthcare delivery and payment, leading to the rise of managed behavioral health carve outs (MBHOs). Their function, characteristics, and impact on care are discussed, though further research on quality is needed.
Area of Science:
- Health Services Research
- Behavioral Health Economics
Background:
- Financial pressures prompted a review of mental healthcare provision and payment models.
- The emergence of managed behavioral health carve outs (MBHOs) as a response to these pressures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the rise, characteristics, and functioning of MBHOs.
- To analyze the impact of MBHOs on cost, utilization, access, and quality of behavioral healthcare.
- To explore the integration of behavioral health with general medical and other human services.
Main Methods:
- Review of MBHO characteristics including contracts, payment, provider networks, and data collection.
- Case illustration using United Behavioral Health.
- Analysis of MBHO functions on key healthcare metrics.
Main Results:
- MBHOs exhibit distinct characteristics in contracts, payments, networks, and data management.
- MBHOs influence cost, utilization, and access to behavioral health services.
- The relationship between behavioral health and general medical care is affected by MBHOs.
Conclusions:
- MBHOs are a significant feature of modern mental healthcare delivery and financing.
- Further research is necessary to fully evaluate the qualitative aspects of care provided through MBHOs.