NorthSTAR Mobilizes Services to Assist Hurricane Katrina Evacuees.DALLAS -- In conjunction with the Texas Department of State Health Services health services Managed care The benefits covered under a health contract (DSHS DSHS Department of Social & Health Services (Washington) DSHS Diplomate of the Society for Health Systems ), the Dallas Area NorthSTAR Authority (DANSA DANSA Day of Non Scheduled Activities ), and provider organizations, ValueOptions is successfully assimilating evacuees Resident or transient persons who have been ordered or authorized to move by competent authorities, and whose movement and accommodation are planned, organized and controlled by such authorities. into the NorthSTAR program. In the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina  Editing of this page by unregistered or newly registered users is currently disabled due to vandalism. , metropolitan areas across Texas are hosting tens of thousands of evacuees. Many of those displaced by the disaster are in need of immediate behavioral health treatment and/or medication refills. By design, the NorthSTAR care model is prepared to accommodate a dramatic increase in consumers. ValueOptions, the managed behavioral healthcare company that operates the NorthSTAR program alongside DSHS and DANSA, is working hand-in-hand with network providers to directly engage evacuees and ensure that needed services are available and easily accessible. In this effort, the NorthSTAR effort is facilitating: --Round-the-clock mobile crisis services dispatched to critical areas and immediate enrollment for eligible evacuees --On-site psychiatric assessments, clinical management, and utilization review u·til·i·za·tion review n. A process for monitoring the use, delivery, and cost-effectiveness of services, especially those provided by medical professionals. --Accommodation of volunteer physicians and coordination with Red Cross volunteers --Onsite pharmacy services to ensure that evacuees have access to needed medications --Referrals to mental health 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 and transportation services for evacuees to off-site service locations --Housing placement that matches victims with non-profit housing providers "The structure of the NorthSTAR program has allowed us to quickly meet the diverse needs of these evacuees," said Derald Walker, CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. ValueOptions' NorthSTAR operations. "We are working closely with the state and with our network providers to connect these people with critical behavioral health services." "These people are tired, they are under a tremendous amount of stress, and many have no one to turn to," adds Linda Fite, executive director of DANSA. "It is important that we do everything we possibly can to answer their behavioral health needs and help them cope with the emotional aftershock af·ter·shock n. 1. A quake of lesser magnitude, usually one of a series, following a large earthquake in the same area. 2. of this terrible tragedy. The comprehensive, flexible nature of the NorthSTAR program model allows us to accomplish these goals." About DSHS The State (Department of State Health Services- DSHS) contracts with ValueOptions to provide behavioral health services for the NorthSTAR program. DSHS also oversees and manages all activities related to the NorthSTAR program in which ValueOptions and DANSA are involved. Through this oversight, DSHS is able to ensure that Texans in the NorthSTAR program have access to effectively delivered public mental health and substance abuse services. For more information, please visit www.dshs.state.tx.us. About DANSA The Dallas Area NorthSTAR Authority (DANSA) is the local behavioral health authority for Collin, Dallas, Ellis, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro and Rockwall Counties. DANSA was created by the Commissioners Courts of each of the seven counties to oversee the managed behavioral (mental health and chemical dependency chemical dependency n. A physical and psychological habituation to a mood- or mind-altering drug, such as alcohol or cocaine. chemical dependency ) healthcare service delivery system which serves persons eligible for Medicaid and/or public behavioral health funds in the NorthSTAR Region. For more information, please visit www.dansatx.org. About ValueOptions One of the nation's largest behavioral healthcare companies, ValueOptions serves nearly 23 million people across the country through publicly funded and commercial contracts with employee assistance, mental health and substance abuse, behavioral disability management and integrated programs. The company's headquarters are in Norfolk, VA. For more information, please visit www.valueoptions.com. |
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