DESIGNING A SYSTEM FOR MANAGING THE PERFORMANCE OF MENTAL-HEALTH MANAGED CARE - AN EXAMPLE FROM NEW-YORK STATES PREPAID MENTAL-HEALTH PLAN

The organization, financing, and delivery of publicly funded behaviora l health services are undergoing massive changes nationwide. Managed c are principles and practices are being implemented widely and are bein g relied on increasingly to meet the challenges of containing costs an d improving service effectiveness. To meet these goals, comprehensive systems are underdevelopment for measuring and reporting outcomes expe rienced by individuals who receive services and for assessing the impa ct of managed care strategies on the service delivery system. This art icle presents an example from the Prepaid Mental Health Program in New York State. It highlights the development, implementation, and early experiences with the plan's performance management system for public s ector managed behavioral health, a basis for continuous quality improv ement activities and information reporting products such as report car ds. Policy, administrative, and financial implications are illuminated .