Mental health advocacy group issues report on managed care
Managed care plans are failing to handle the special needs of the mentally ill, according to a report by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.
The nonprofit group argues that many large companies are not ensuring that the mentally ill get adequate hospital care or the most effective medication.
The report, which surveyed nine companies that provide Medicaid services for people with mental illnesses, found that only one company had extensive, timely treatment guidelines for specific disorders. No company offered access to the most effective medications nor did any effectively engage patients and their families in treatment. Only four of the companies surveyed provided sufficient hospital care for patients, and some even deny hospital care to disruptive patients, which is common among those with severe illness.
The American Association of Health Plans responded to these assertions by saying that health plans are working to improve the quality of mental health care.
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