Is The Focus On ‘Skyrocketing’ Behavioral Costs A Wise Marketing Strategy For Managed Care Programs?

OPEN MINDS The Behavioral Health & Social Service Industry Analyst Pro & Con When you read advertisements for some managed behavioral health programs, you get the impression that increases in health insurance premiums are due solely to ‘skyrocketing’ behavioral health costs. The idea that the relentless increase in health care costs is due to a ‘surge” in the utilization of behavioral health services has gained currency. The legitimacy of this notion was increased when The Wall Street Journal, in its May 22, 1990 edition, ran an article introduced by the clever headline: ‘Any Wonder Medical Payments Are Rising Like Crazy . . .