Beginning July 1, 2010, deep budget cuts at the state level will affect publicly funded behavioral health services. Over 300,000 adults and over 7000 children  statewide could loose their coverage.  (things are complicated with the new federal health care legislation)  Because timely information sharing is critical, Arizona’s Department of Behavioral Health Services (DBHS) has set up a CLICK HERE: Web site to communicate with members, families and stakeholders – both to provide information and to obtain your input.

DBHS will post the latest information as it becomes available on topics including:

• Changes to covered benefits for adults with serious mental illness (SMI) who do not qualify for Medicaid (also called AHCCCS or Title XIX).
• Efforts to ensure there is a comprehensive and effective statewide crisis system for anyone experiencing a behavioral health crisis.
• Clarification of benefits related to supported housing for adults with serious mental illness (SMI).

Submit your CLICK HERE: questions and concerns to DBHS.   CLICK HERE: FAQs are updated each Tuesday by DBHS.

A New York times article today says that the homeless population in New York City has escalated 34% recently. There are many theories why, but my concern is that most likely it will happen in Tucson as well.
State budget cuts have slashed over 300,000 people from the states Medicaid (ACCCHS) system. Many of those are mentally ill. If those people, who are already living in poverty get sick – whether they can’t afford their medication or can’t afford to go to the doctor, many of them will most likely loose their jobs (if they are lucky enough to have one). Once they loose their jobs, their shelter seems to be the next basic necessity to go as what little money they have most likely will need to be spent on food.
So…….where does this put this person? You’re right, possibly on the streets, unless they are hospitalized or in an emergency room for a short period of time. Sometimes entire families end up being homeless.
All because this is how our state has decided to save money.
The only light at the end of the tunnel, and it is only a small light, is for voters to pass the 1 cent sales tax in May. It’s not going to solve all our problems, but not passing it will make things much worse.
I hope you’ll consider it.

It took a long time, but the Federal Parity Law is now in effect and health insurance plans should be covering mental health issues equal to issues related to the body.  It makes sense, after all the brain is part of the body!

Below is an excerpt from the most recent “E-News” from the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

For many group health plans, the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act went into effect on January 1, 2010. The new law requires most group health plans to cover treatment for mental illness and substance use disorders on the same terms and conditions as medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer and asthma. Specifically the new law bars health plans from imposing durational treatment limits (caps on inpatient days or outpatient visits) or financial limitations (higher cost sharing, deductibles or out of pocket limits) that do not also apply to medical-surgical coverage.

The effective date of the new law is actually the beginning of the first new plan year after October 3, 2009. The new law applies to all group health plans sponsored by employers with 50 or more workers.

• View NAMI’s factsheet on the new law
• View a Powerpoint presentation on the new law

Is Your Health Plan in Compliance With Parity?

NAMI is seeking information from individuals and families on how the new law is working. This information is critical to informing policymakers in the U.S. Congress and the Obama Administration on additional steps that may need to be taken to strengthen the law and ensure adequate enforcement. In addition, it is critical for NAMI to demonstrate to the larger public that parity is making a real difference in improving coverage of mental illness treatment and expanding access to critical medical services for children and adults living with mental illness.