Here’s some of the more interesting developments and opinions in behavioral health.
Providers & Payers:
- Excellus BCBS is the latest insurer to agree to adjust its behavioral health policies based on NY state enforcement of the Mental Health Parity Law
- A Delaware group, Christiana Care, talks about why and how it is transitioning adult and adolescent outpatient behavioral health services this month to work more closely with the community’s primary care network
- Here are Optum’s 2015 level of care guidelines to help providers and others figure out the criteria for admission to and discharge from different settings of behavioral care
- Tricare’s requirements for mental health counselors have been extended to 2017
Schools & Advocacy:
- High school athletes need more help with mental health according to a new report from the national athletic trainers summit
- Colorado school psychologist of the year talks about the changing role of mental health services in schools
- Yale Health will hire more psychologists, psychiatrists and clinical social workers but students are skeptical
- A DC committee is examining evidence for strategies to change social norms, beliefs, and attitudes related to mental and substance use disorders
- Decreasing reliance on 911 calls to address behavioral issues is a major element of school reforms in NYC designed to save money, improve accountability and create safer/healthier schools
- In a state heavily focused on improving mental health across schools, payers and lawmakers, it’s interesting that the latest budget proposal in Connecticut includes a cut to mental health (here’s an op-ed on the issue)
- 241 Sports, a cool program in Connecticut that encourages kids to focus on multiple sports at a time for wellness, muscle, self-esteem and behavioral health benefits, was recognized at the Panel for Youth Sports Day in DC
