An Analysis of Capitation for Mental Health Services |
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| Authors: | Joan R Bloom Garry Toerber Jaclyn W Hausman Brian Cuffel Thomas J Barrett |
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| Institution: | Joan R. Bloom;, Ph.D., is professor of public health, University of California, Berkeley, and head of the program in health policy and administration. She is an organizational sociologist interested in the delivery of health and mental health services, with a special interest in the underserved. Garry Toerber;, Ph.D., is Director of Hospital Services for the Colorado Division of Mental Health. His doctorate is in hospital and health administration. He has been involved actively in the design of Colorado's capitation of Medicaid mental health services. Jaclyn W. Hausman;, MPP/MPH, is a research associate at the Institute for Mental Health Services Research. She is also a graduate student in health policy at the University of California, Berkeley. Brian J. Cuffel;, Ph.D., is Research Director of the Institute for Mental Health Services Research. He is a clinical psychologist conducting research on the organization and financing of care for the severely mentally ill. Thomas J. Barrett;, Ph.D., is Assistant Director of the Colorado Division of Mental Health. He is a clinical psychologist, and has been involved actively in the design of Colorado's capitation of Medicaid mental health services. |
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| Abstract: | The major impetus for health care reform clearly seems to be the desire to contain the cost of health care. One of the major cost-containment methods proposed is capitation. Capitation poses specific problems when applied to mental health services delivery. This article discusses several of the major issues pertaining to the utility of capitation in mental health, discusses on-going capitation efforts, and provides an evaluation of capitation programs. Future directions for research on capitation in mental health are then suggested. |
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