NASHO Policy Statement Advocates Coordination To Improve Mental Health Care

The National Association
of Specialty Health Organizations (NASHO), approved a position statement
urging improved coordination of care for individuals with mental health and
substance use disorders. NASHO's members represent provider networks,
payors and health plans that specialize in dental, vision, behavioral
health, pharmacy benefit management, radiology, complementary care, device
management, and other specialty services. The NASHO statement encourages
members, purchasers, providers, and other stakeholders to enhance coverage
and coordination of care to improve outcomes and quality.


"People with mental health and substance use disorders have complex
needs and rely on many organizations to deliver their care. We believe
current legislative initiatives in Congress should recognize that
coordination of services and information is a critical element of effective
policy," said NASHO Executive Director Julian Roberts. "NASHO members
include behavioral health care organizations, pharmacy benefit managers,
and other national organizations with unique expertise to provide efficient
and high quality specialty services. They are committed to taking on the
cross cutting needs of individuals with mental health and substance
problems."



The NASHO statement addresses the following key areas:



-- Benefits for identification and treatment of mental health and
substance use disorders;


-- Coverage for evidence-based screening, treatment and coordination of
care for mental and substance use conditions, including medications;


-- The need for HIPAA-compliant data linkages that enable sharing of
appropriate information related to medication, treatment, and
transitions of care;


-- Mechanisms to promote patient adherence and medication safety for
individuals with mental and substance use conditions;


-- Need for coordination of care for patients making transitions between
settings;


-- Need for improved performance measurement strategies to capture
information on behavioral health services provided in diverse settings.



Michele Alfano, a member of the NASHO Board of Directors and Chief
Operating Officer of ValueOptions, Inc., commented, "NASHO is in a unique
position to bring together many of the participants who have a role in
delivering quality care to individuals with mental health disorders. This
policy statement acknowledges the need to coordinate provider services,
medications, and information. Further, the statement recognizes that
diverse and specialized strategies are needed to administer care and manage
information for this multifaceted population."



Concludes Roberts, "NASHO's mission is to increase awareness of the
value that specialty health organizations bring to health care. We believe
that specialty health brings efficiency and high quality to the table.
These services are most effective when data and information are closely
coordinated. This statement illustrates our vision for improved mental
health and addiction care."



The full text of the NASHO statement can be found at:
NASHO



About NASHO



NASHO was launched in January 2003 as a subsidiary association of the
American Association of Preferred Provider Organizations (AAPPO)
(aappo) to advance and evolve specialty healthcare delivery
in the United States. Its mission is to enhance and promote the value
proposition of specialty health organizations. To learn more about NASHO,
visit nasho.


National Association of Specialty Health Organizations

nasho