The Early Impact Of The 'Alternative Quality Contract' On Mental Health Service Use And Spending In Massachusetts.

ABSTRACT: Accountable care using global payment with performance bonuses has shown promise in controlling spending growth and improving care. This study examined how an early model, the Alternative Quality Contract (AQC) established in 2009 by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA), has affected care for mental illness. We compared spending and use for enrollees in AQC organizations that did and did not accept financial risk for mental health with enrollees not participating in the contract. Compared with BCBSMA enrollees in organizations not participating in the AQC, we found that enrollees in participating organizations were slightly less likely to use mental health services and, among mental health services users, small declines were detected in total health care spending, but no change

SUBMITTER: Barry CL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4950854 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature