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What happens when capitated behavioral health comes to town? The transition from the fort bragg demonstration to a capitated managed behavioral health contract

The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research volume 27, pages 390–405 (2000)Cite this article

Abstract

Capitated managed care contracts for behavioral health services are becoming more prevalent across the country in both public and private sectors. This study followed the transition from a demonstration project for child mental health services to a capitated managed behavioral health care contract with a for-profit managed care company. The focus of the study was on the impact—at both the service system and the individual consumer level—pertaining to the start-up and maintenance of a capitated managed behavioral health program. A case study using multiple methods and multiple sources of information incorporated a program fidelity framework that examined micro to macro levels of program implementation. The findings of this study include the following: access to services decreased, the lengths of stay and average daily census in the more intensive levels of treatment declined, difficult-to-treat children were shifted to the public sector, and ratings of service system performance and coordination fell.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vanderbilt Institute of Public Policy Studies and George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University, Box 90, 37203, Nashville, TN

    Craig Anne Heflinger Ph.D.

  2. the Vanderbilt Center for Mental Health Policy in Nashville, Tennessee

    Denine A. Northrup Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Craig Anne Heflinger Ph.D.
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  2. Denine A. Northrup Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Craig Anne Heflinger Ph.D..

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Heflinger, C.A., Northrup, D.A. What happens when capitated behavioral health comes to town? The transition from the fort bragg demonstration to a capitated managed behavioral health contract. The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research 27, 390–405 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02287821

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02287821

Keywords

  • Service System
  • Behavioral Health
  • Care Company
  • Child Mental Health
  • Behavioral Health Service