MANAGED CARE AND ETHNIC-MINORITY POPULATIONS

Managed care in mental health has changed practice patterns and utiliz ation with largely unknown consequences for ethnic minority population s. Managed care promotes oversight and continuity, but may inadvertent ly create barriers to access beyond those already apparent under fee-f or-service. Capitation rewards efficiency and flexibility but may prom ote incentives that discourage minority inclusion. As mental health sy stem reform proceeds, the need for culturally informed programs, pract ices, and practitioners has not diminished. The challenge is to bring cultural expertise to bear within new organizational arrangements and financing schemes.