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Health care payments continue to evolve and shift away from fee‐for‐service payment systems that typically reward volume and move to value‐based payment (VBP) models that incentivize high‐quality, cost‐effective care. While this is happening more for physical health services, there's more uncertainty about the role of behavioral health. A new white paper aims to tackle that question with information about existing models that have been implemented along with recommendations for federal and state policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Access to physicians in all health care categories poses a problem for Medicaid beneficiaries, but a research letter published this month highlights the disproportionate challenge in identifying psychiatric services for this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses how mental health advocates are building a momentum urging consumers and families to speak up against the U.S. Congress who is taking legislative action on repealing the U.S. Affordable Care Act (ACA) by letting them know how important the reform is for them.

The article discusses the report of the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) on Medicaid coverage for medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for alcohol and opioid dependence. Topics include Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medications such as acamprosate, methadone, and naltrexone, the issue of prior authorization requirements, and the step therapy. It also talks about the efficacy of the hub and spoke model.