A provider assessment of the Massachusetts Medicaid Managed Behavioral Health Program: year four

A stratified, random sample of 80 providers in the Massachusetts Medicaid Managed Mental Health/Substance Abuse Program were interviewed by phone to assess their views of the program in year four. Providers continued to believe that access and quality were the same or better than a year earlier, that client severity continued to increase while length of stay decreased, that readmissions and emergency room admissions were the same as a year earlier, and that aftercare was the same or better than a year earlier. Substantial problems were reported in the integration of services, in linkages with support services, and with administration of the program.