Tag: Maternal Mental Health

Mental Health… Matters?

It’s not just the police. What are we doing to make the world a better place?

It just so happens that July is designated as Minority Mental Health Month in the US.

As a leader in this industry, a ‘minority’ person, and someone who has to grapple with the same stigma our patient populations experience — not being hetero aware of such a designation myself, is telling of the extent to which the topic has been on the back burner (systemically).

As a leader representing a large behavioral health group in CALIFORNIA (Insight Choices), I have a personal and professional duty to do my part in leveling inequities.

As such, we have galvanized a grassroots initiative and presently we have payers, providers, and technology companies engaged.

Our coalition understands that racism undermines mental health. Therefore, we are committed to anti-racism in all that we do. This means that we pledge to work against individual racism, interpersonal racism, and institutional racism in all their forms.

We are concerned that our fellow Americans in majestic parts of this nation which also happen to be rural and are subjected to these inequities.

We are concerned that men are shamed for mental illness. We are concerned that mothers in need of mental healthcare marginalized and judged.

More and more people are starting to speak up about the unique mental health needs of this country’s diverse communities. From health care disparities that have become more apparent during COVID-19 to highlighting the need for culturally competent mental health care providers, these conversations contribute to raising awareness around critical issues.

We are strong alone, but unstoppable together. Would you pls share what activities, initiatives, and other engagement efforts you’ve implemented. If you and or your organization would love to engage but, with limited bandwidth and strained resources, has not had the opportunity to engage, pls let us know.

Reach out using the form below:

#IBELIEVE in Maternal Mental Health Access: Payer Guidance & Provider Talking Points to Hold Payer Accountable

#IBELIEVE in Maternal Mental Health Access and I will fight alongside you each and every step of the way.

Closing gaps in maternal mental health care seems like a no-brainer but, just like much of the healthcare industry, we’ve been slow to adapt and even slower in adoption.

  • Slow at adapting to a changing world and population needs.
  • Slow to adopt reasonably sound new technologies, interventions, and process innovations.

We cannot leave our mothers behind! As such, the following guidance is targeted towards payers and health insurance companies — and for us all (from community member to healthcare provider) to hold payers accountable.

2020 Mom believes change is possible in maternal mental health care. If you also believe change is possible, join us!

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Here are the steps health insurance companies can take to support maternal mental health (MMH)

HEALTH PLANS & PAYERS:

  1. Institute a case management/care coordination program, allowing obstetricians to refer moms immediately into the program who screen positive for depression, anxiety or bi-polar disorder. Medicaid plan case managers/care coordinators should also address social determinants of health, like food and housing insecurity and safety.
  2. Inform obstetricians how to bill for screening.
  3. Inform obstetricians how to bill for treatment (brief intervention/medication management).
  4. Provide telepsychiatry patient to provider services for all patients with bi-polar disorder, treatment resistant depression, or severe mental illness as a standard.
  5. Inform obstetricians that they should be treating basic depression and anxiety as prescribers when necessary, and how they can consult with a reproductive psychiatrist and bill for their time.
  6. Reimburse obstetrians and hospitals who staff LCSWs or other talk therapists in their offices.
  7. Cover digital therapuetics and explain to providers how to prescribe use of these tools.

MENTAL HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES

  1. Identify via an attestation, on the provider credentialing form and at a recredentialing for existing providers, which providers have taken at least 8 hours of a certificate based training in maternal mental health and have 20 practice hours treating MMH disorders.
  2. Pay providers who have earned a PMH designation (the board test provided by Postpartum Support International) higher rates.
  3. Monitor whether you have sufficient MMH providers based on child bearing age women and location of these women in the service area and recruit as needed.
  4. Be available to coordinate with case managers at medical insurers.
  5. Reimburse birth hospitals or medical clinics that provide support groups for maternal mental health disorders, NICU moms/parents that are clinician or certified peer specialist lead.
  6. Authorize services for MMH specific outpatient day treatment programs and inpatient programs. Work to recruit such programs in the provider network.

2020 Mom believes change is possible in maternal mental health care. If you also believe change is possible, join us.

http://www.mom2020.org