OUTCOME TRENDS FOR SEVERELY MENTALLY-ILL PERSONS IN CAPITATED AND CASE MANAGED MENTAL-HEALTH-PROGRAMS

This study compared outcomes over time of persons with severe mental i llness who were randomly assigned to capitated and fee for service pro grams. Data were collected by independent raters and case managers. Th e effects of capitation on linear trends for symptoms, social conflict and functioning were examined using analysis of covariance and regres sion. Independent variables were capitation versus fee for service fun ding and baseline scores on the dependent variables. Covariates were s ociodemographic and clinical variables. Persons in capitated programs had slightly better outcomes on two measures: social conflict and glob al functional level. Initially more disturbed persons had slightly bet ter outcomes under capitation than under fee for service funding on sy mptoms and social conflict, while less disturbed persons had equal or poorer outcomes. Implications of these findings for program planning a nd future research are discussed.