Friday, February 11, 2005

Blue Cross to take back oversight of some Magellan Health patients (Massachusetts) Boston Globe story - " Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts is scaling back its contract with Magellan Health Services, the national for-profit company that oversees mental health treatment for 1.1 million of the insurer's members. ... Connecticut-based Magellan, which emerged from bankruptcy a year ago, has had a rocky history in Massachusetts, where some providers and patients have complained about being denied outpatient therapy or hospital stays."  
  

Mental health services faulted (Hawaii) Honolulu Star-Bulletin story - "Even after getting an 18-month extension to bring its community mental health services up to federal standards, the state of Hawaii continues to fall behind, according to the most recent report from a court-appointed special master. In his report submitted in U.S. District Court here yesterday, the special master, U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin Chang, said, 'That (the state) had failed to make meaningful progress with regard to system of care development is disappointing and troubling...' "  
  

Mental Health Advocates Concerned About TennCare Changes WTVF story - "Mental health advocates said Thursday they’re concerned TennCare changes could mean more people with mental illnesses will end up on the streets or in jail. Current studies show one in five inmates have some kind of mental illness. Advocates said that number will grow if people don't get the medicine and services they need. Mental health experts from across the state met in Nashville Thursday. They're searching for ways to soften the blow when 100,000 people with mental illness lose benefits."