News and Commentary
MANAGED CARE October 1998. ©1998 Stezzi Communications
NCQA decided not to hold managed care companies that do not carve out behavioral health benefits to the same accreditation standards that managed behavioral health organizations face — at least, for now.
NCQA's managed behavioral health organization accreditation program began last year. Next year, NCQA would have extended those standards to plans that administer mental health and addictions benefits in-house. But NCQA indefinitely postponed the new rules because most plans aren't ready.
Managed behavioral health organizations are raising a stink because while medical plans can promote accreditation status, it is not indicative of their administration of specialty benefits.
MANAGED CARE October 1998. ©1998 Stezzi Communications