Posted by anne on May 19, 1999, at 23:55:36
In reply to Re: Med-Checks/Insurance , posted by Elaine on May 19, 1999, at 23:16:25
Managed care organizations have found it less expensive to contract with agencies that specialize in providing mental health services. The advantages to both the pt and MCO are that they have 24 hour/day services available and they have better control of utilization, particularly in the inpatient setting. It is thought that in some teaching hospitals, patients admitted on the week-end don't get much treatment until Monday. These contracted agencies specialize in getting the most bang for the buck. They feel it best not to have the primary care doctor managing psych patients; their time is best used elsewhere. BTW these companies take triage seriously and utilize different types of practitioners depending on what is needed. I'm not saying this is a great system but it is becoming more common.
poster:anne
thread:6242
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990501/msgs/6293.html