Introduction: Risk-adjustment issues in mental health services

State mental health authorities and other public and private entities are d eveloping outcome measures and comparing results across providers, programs , and systems. To make comparisons equitable, outcomes must he risk adjuste d. This article provides an introduction to mental health risk adjustment a nd outlines issues involved in the selection of outcome and risk variables, data collection protocols, and analytic methods. It stresses the importanc e of proper identification of risk-adjustment variables and models. The art icle concludes with the next steps necessary, to develop a valid approach t o the risk-adjustment methodology.