Financing coordinated medical and social services for patients with psychosis

For many mental health conditions, effective programs to restore health and social functioning require collaborative efforts that go far beyond the healthcare sector.  Individuals who are newly diagnosed with psychosis often require a carefully coordinated mix of specialty services including pharmacotherapy, behavioral counselling, educational services, vocational supports, and supportive housing options. Despite the existence of mental health parity laws, public and private health insurance plans often do not cover the full array of services required by patients, creating gaps and delays in care. This study developed and tested a decision support tool designed to help health plans and service providers estimate the total costs of care and implement integrated payment strategies for health and social services needed by patients newly diagnosed with psychosis. A research team led by Weill Cornell Medical College will collaborate with the New York State Psychiatric Institute, the New York Department of Health, and the New York Academy of Medicine to conduct the study. The decision tool is hosted on an online platform to inform financial planning and payment policies among health plans, Medicaid agencies, providers and service agencies nationally.

View tool demo here.

Presenters

• Yuhua Bao, PhD | Weill Cornell Medicine
• Monica Luke | The Living Assistance Fund

Watch the webinar recording here.