OUTCOMES MEASUREMENT - APPLICATION OF PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND PRACTICE GUIDELINES IN MANAGED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH-CARE

Managed behavioral health care organizations (MBHOs) have increasing a ccountability to their customers for measuring and managing the qualit y of care and service rendered to consumers. Health plans, state and f ederal agencies, employers, and unions express continued and growing i nterest in MBHOs, utilizing evidence-based practice guidelines and inc orporating performance standards into daily operations. Standards and guidelines are often built into the behavioral health care program des ign by the customer, established by accrediting organizations, develop ed and disseminated by research and academic institutions, or promoted by professional associations.