Use of community-based mental health programs by HMOs: evidence from a Medicaid demonstration.

Abstract

In the short run, the use of community-based mental health treatment programs need not be affected by enrollment of Medicaid beneficiaries in prepaid plans, providing that Medicaid program administrators take steps to minimize the disruption of ongoing treatment, offer beneficiaries a choice among prepaid plans, and encourage community treatment programs to contract with plans to serve beneficiaries.