[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 68 (Monday, April 9, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 18491]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-8617]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration


Request for Feedback--Consumer and Family Members Involvement in 
the Development of Managed Mental Health and Substance Abuse Programs

AGENCY: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 
(SAMHSA), HHS.

ACTION: Request for feedback--consumer and family members involvement 
in the development of managed mental health and substance abuse 
programs.

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    The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 
(SAMHSA) is charged by statute (42 U.S.C. 290aa) to encourage public 
and private entities that provide health insurance to provide benefits 
for mental health and substance abuse services. The tremendous growth 
of managed care over the last ten years has already dramatically 
changed the ways that public sector mental health and substance abuse 
services are organized and funded. The numbers of persons enrolled in 
managed care programs under Medicaid has increased from 10% in 1991 to 
54% in 1998, with escalating numbers of persons with disabilities 
included under the programs. The number of States with managed care 
programs in public mental health and substance abuse programs has 
tripled in three years, from 14 States in 1996 to 42 States in 1999. Of 
the 42 States, 23 States--more than half--operate multiple managed 
behavioral healthcare programs.
    SAMHSA has engaged in a number of projects to improve the genuine 
participation of consumers and family members in the design, 
procurement, implementation and evaluation of managed care programs in 
the public system. Under SAMHSA's Office of Managed Care, a group of 
consumers, family members and advocacy groups developed the Partners in 
Planning Guide to educate consumers and family members on becoming 
active in designing managed care systems in their State. A related 
project supported training on the Guide at national and grassroots 
venues to advocates as well as persons with mental illnesses and/or 
chemical dependencies.
    Yet the impact of these other efforts to promote greater inclusion 
of consumers and family members in system design remains largely 
unmeasured. SAMHSA is now interested in receiving consumers/survivor, 
persons in recovery from substance abuse disorders and family members 
views and/or perceptions as it relates to their involvement in the 
development of mental health and substance abuse programs for managed 
care organizations in different States.
    SAMHSA would appreciate feedback in the following areas on 
involvement by consumer and family members of mental health or 
substance abuse services:
     Designing and procuring systems of care in public mental 
health and substance abuse.
     Evaluating and monitoring public managed care systems that 
involve mental health and substance abuse services.
     Participating on mental health or substance abuse 
governing or advisory boards.
     Receiving compensation for representing consumer or family 
members, such as travel expenses or honorarium.
     How involvement has improved or worsened over the past 
five years.
     Overall comments about consumer/family members 
participation in managed care issues.
     Training, publications, web sites, coalitions, 
legislation, and media/public education that have been helpful.
    The resulting information will be shared with SAMHSA leadership and 
constituents for identifying what works and best practices, but to also 
guide SAMHSA activities to further promote involvement of consumer and 
family members in managed care.
    Send comments to Stephanie Wright, Program Analyst, Office of 
Managed Care, SAMHSA, Room 10-105, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers 
Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, via email at [email protected], or fax at 
301-443-8711. Comments would be most helpful if they are received by 
May 9, 2001. Please include your name, title, affiliation and phone 
number for clarification, if necessary.

    Dated: April 3, 2001.
Richard Kopanda,
Executive Officer, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 01-8617 Filed 4-6-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4162-20-P