Toward a national consumer survey: Evaluation of the CABHS and MHSIP instruments

This article describes a study evaluating the Consumer Assessment of Behavi oral Health Survey (CABHS) and the Mental Health Statistics Improvement Pro gram (MHSIP) surveys. The purpose of the study was to provide data that cou ld be used to develop recommendations for an improved instrument. Subjects were 3,443 adults in six behavioral health plans. The surveys did not diffe r significantly in response rate or consumer burden. Both surveys reliably assessed access to treatment and aspects of appropriateness and quality. Th e CABHS survey reliably assessed features of the insurance plan; the MHSIP survey reliably assessed treatment outcome. Analyses of comparable items su ggested which survey items had greater validity. Results are discussed in t erms of consistency with earlier research using these and other consumer su rveys. Implications and recommendations for survey development, quality imp rovement, and national policy initiatives to evaluate health plan performan ce are presented.