THE MASSACHUSETTS MENTAL-HEALTH SUBSTANCE-ABUSE MANAGED CARE PROGRAM - THE PROVIDERS VIEW

This paper reviews the differential impacts of the Massachusetts Menta l Health/Substance Abuse Program from the viewpoints of the providers. The program is a state wide managed care system, providing services f or adult and children's mental health and substance abuse care. Interv iews found that even though the severity of illness of most clients in the program was greater than before managed care, most providers beli eved that the quality of care and access to services for these clients was the same or better than before managed care. Providers' concerns about the future suggested that savings in a managed care program prim arily occur in its initial stages and that future reductions have the potential for negative impacts upon clients and providers.