AMBHA: More People Seeking Outpatient Behavioral Health Services.WASHINGTON -- In its testimony before the Institute of Medicine meeting, Crossing the Quality Chasm - An Adaptation to Mental Health and Addictive Disorders Addictive disorders Addictive disease disorders are characterized by the chronic use of a drug (such as heroin, cocaine, or amphetamines), alcohol, or similar substances. , today the American Managed Behavioral Healthcare Association (AMBHA AMBHA American Managed Behavioral Healthcare Association ) released new data that shows over a 25 percent increase in the use of outpatient professional services (job) professional services - A department of a supplier providing consultancy and programming manpower for the supplier's products. for behavioral health Behavioral health was first used in the 1980's to name the combination of the fields mental health and substance abuse. As an example, an organization serving both mental health and substance abuse clients might refer to its practice as behavioral health or disorders for the three-year period from 2000 through 2002 - a trend that can partially be attributed to the gradual fading of the societal stigma associated with seeking mental health services health services Managed care The benefits covered under a health contract . "We wanted to answer the question of whether there had been an upward trend in the utilization of outpatient services outpatient services Hospital-based services Managed care Medical and other services provided, to a nonadmitted Pt, by a hospital or other qualified facility–eg, mental health clinic, rural health clinic, mobile X-ray unit, free-standing dialysis unit Examples ," said Pamela Greenberg, M.P.P., Executive Director for AMBHA. "Our survey was designed to present an industry-wide, data-driven perspective to validate isolated, anecdotal reports that have tried to quantify this increase," she continued. "This survey provides a valuable summary of utilization trends for consumers across all regions of the country." AMBHA surveyed outpatient service utilization for more than 47 million commercially-insured behavioral health plan members. These enrollees received behavioral health services from professionals contracted with managed behavioral healthcare organizations (MBHOs) that accept complete financial risk for providing comprehensive behavioral healthcare services for fixed dollar per member per month rates. Utilization of services is commonly measured by looking at the number of outpatient visits used per 1,000 covered members per year. In calendar year 2000 there were 295 visits per thousand members. Utilization increased by 15 percent to 340 visits per thousand members in 2001. In 2002 a further 10 percent increase led to 375 visits per thousand members. The average annual trend for this three-year period was a 12.8 percent increase in utilization of services. "NAMI NAMI National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (now National Alliance on Mental Illness) NAMI National Alliance on Mental Illness (formerly National Alliance for the Mentally Ill ) NAMI Naval Aerospace Medical Institute (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) is encouraged that this increase in outpatient visits is a promising sign that the stigma associated with mental illness is showing positive signs of erosion," observed Michael J. Fitzpatrick Michael J. Fitzpatrick is a New York State Assemblyman elected in 2002, representing the 7th district, which is in Suffolk County. , NAMI National Executive Director. It should be noted that the professional services included in this survey were provided by psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, marriage and family therapists, and other licensed counselors. The outpatient visits counted in the survey include both psychotherapy services and the management of psychiatric medications This is an alphabetical list of psychiatric medications used by psychiatrists to treat mental illness or distress. Please note:
"We consider this a positive trend," noted Edward Jones, Ph.D., Chairman of the Board for AMBHA. "It is consistent with other studies that have found that a decrease in the stigma associated with receiving services for mental health and substance abuse problems can lead to an increase in utilization - showing that more people are reaching out to get the help they need before their problems get worse so that they can live fuller, healthier lives." AMBHA is a non-profit trade association representing the nation's leading managed behavioral healthcare organizations. These organizations collectively manage mental health and substance abuse services for more than 110 million people. |
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