Moving Forward

 

Moving Forward

Reform is now a reality. It is time for organizations to determine how they are going to transform in order to reach the more than 20 million people who need treatment and are not getting it. Reform also means an expansion in available funding for prevention, treatment, and recovery support services as Medicaid reimbursement expands and the door opens to third-party payer reimbursements. However, to capitalize on the opportunities created by parity and healthcare reform, organizations will have to transform themselves. SAAS is committed to supporting providers through their State Associations with the necessary resources to be prepared to operate in a new world of healthcare and take advantage of the coming opportunities. SAAS convened the Moving Forward Alliance and working together they developed a two-track process that must be implemented simultaneously:

  • Resources to help providers change and adjust business practices
  • Resources to help providers continue the necessary advocacy for appropriate implementation

Definitions of the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders

(SAAS White Paper, November 11, 2011)

*Download the PDF* With a goal of moving the conversation forward, SAAS released a definition of the treatment of substance use disorders from leaders in the field of addiction and recovery services.  This was developed by the SAAS Practice Committee chaired by Michael Reagan, Chief External Relations Officer, Cherry Street Health Services   Grand Rapids, MI.  We are grateful to all those whose work in the field have contributed to our knowledge about treatment and best practices.  For this paper we specifically thank and acknowledge resources from the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), Dr. Thomas McClellan, PhD, Founder, Treatment Research Institute,  David Mee-Lee, MD, Senior Vice President for The Change Companies, William White, MA., Senior Research Consultant at Chestnut Health Systems, John O’Brien, Senior Advisor to the Administrator on Health Care Reform,  SAMSHA, and Nora D. Volkow, MD, Director, NIDA.  We welcome  and invite your comments.

Maximizing Systems for a Change
(Joint Project of SAAS and AHP Healthcare Solutions, funded by the Open Society Foundation October 2011)

*Download the PDF* This report explores the powerful catalysts shaping healthcare services and demanding new business models, access mechanisms, quality practices, and financing paradigms. Many of these catalysts have a “multiplier” or compounding effect. One example would be how the 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 is being magnified by the Affordable Care Act.

This report discusses why and how a systems change approach is necessary to help SUD providers understand and adapt to changes taking place in the most beneficial ways possible. The report proposes an actual scope of work that all States can consider and conduct with limited external support and facilitation and in addition, offers a series of global recommendations for State level action based on what is taking place nationally. We believe it’s in every stakeholder’s best interest to act now and to be thorough in this process. Making hasty changes or waiting too long to act will likely have negative and potentially dire long-term consequences.

SAAS Policy, Advocacy and Education Toolkit

             NEW AND UPDATED

*Download the PDF (updated 1-12)* 

The SAAS Policy Toolkit now includes a litany of new postings on health care reform, parity and related SUD and behavioral health resources, reports, news and data. We have also expanded it to include two New Chapters, “In the States” (Chapter 5) and “Health Care Delivery” (Chapter 7). Each new posting will be identified with the word NEW and we will add cross postings between chapters as much as possible.

The toolkit is an evolving document where new postings will be entered on a regular basis. We welcome your initiative in sending us items that we can include in future updates. And we especially welcome your feedback. Is the information helpful to you? If not, what would you like to see? What do you think of the format?

Resources for Healthcare Reform

Provider Preparation Resources

- IMPLEMENTING HEALTHCARE REFORM: First Steps to Transforming your Organization. A Practical Guide for Leaders

- BUSINESS OPERATIONS FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COLLABORATIVE: Providing cross-cutting, high quality training, educational opportunities, and resources for service providers to implement efficient and cost effective business solutions.

Other Documents

- INTEGRATING APPROPRIATE SERVICES FOR SUBSTANCE USE CONDITIONS IN HEALTH CARE SETTINGS
An Issue Brief on Lessons Learned and Challenges Ahead

SAAS Provider Networks Report
Funded by SAMHSA & CSAT under the Partners for Recovery Initiative, Strategies for Strengthening Substance Use Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Systems: Provider Networks and Impact on the Workforce

Advocacy Resources

SAAS is a part of the Coalition for Whole Health (CWH) committed to continuing the necessary advocacy at the federal level to ensure the appropriate implementation of the new parity healthcare laws. As a result comments are being submitted at every opportunity as rules and regulations are being developed. These documents can be found at the website of the Legal Action Center, our partner in Advocacy and the co-chair of the CWH.

http://www.lac.org/index.php/lac/national_healthcare_reform

SAAS is also part of an initiative funded by the Open Society Foundation committed to ensuring that everyone has access to appropriate treatment services through the implementation of healthcare reform. We will be providing tools and technical assistance to help providers

  • Provide meaningful input into the development of state rules and regulations
  • Educate individuals, families, and communities on their new benefits and rights
  • Ensure that all third party payers are in compliance with all governing regulations

The Parity Implementation Coalition advanced parity legislation to end discrimination against individuals and families who seek services for mental health and substance use disorders and remain committed to its effective implementation. Led by Carol McDaid of Capitol Decisions, their website offers a variety of tools for reporting concerns with parity implementation: www.mentalhealthparitywatch.org

- Coalition for Whole Health Comments for IOM Essential Benefits’ Panel -