Survey Suggests Payers Need Sharper Focus on Behavioral Health
Payers have not prioritized management and organizational expenditures around behavioral health at the highest level, according to a recent Avalere survey of 37 payers, integrated delivery networks and behavioral health management organizations. Although they are required to by the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, not all payers have analyzed whether their behavioral health provider networks are adequate. Over half of respondents reported a considerable amount of behavioral health out-of-network care utilization due to inadequate in-network services. In addition, only 33% of plans reported using value-based payment arrangements and alternative payment models for the delivery of behavioral health services.