Pw. Farris, CASE MANAGED MENTAL-HEALTH-CARE IN THE SAN-ANTONIO CATCHMENT-AREA - THE CRISIS-INTERVENTION UNIT, Military medicine, 162(9), 1997, pp. 628-635
Through the use of government nursing case management, this crisis-foc
used inpatient psychiatric program provided cost-effective and therape
utically directed services to Civilian Health and Medical Program for
the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS)-eligible beneficiaries in the San Ant
onio catchment area, Using managed care principles and a continuum-bas
ed case management model, these services were provided in local contra
cted civilian facilities, This acute care mental health program direct
ly saved Brooke Army Medical Center 1.1 million mental health dollars
and saved 7.7 million CHAMPUS dollars in total cost avoidance. Program
costs were minimal, resulting in a 557% return on investment, A joint
Army/Air Force endeavor, the program was originally administered by t
he Coordinated Care Division, Brooke Army Medical Center as a CHAMPUS
recapture initiative, Currently under TRICARE management, the program
continues intact as a managed care mental health service alternative.