Virginia to Develop Behavioral Health Care Coordination Model

Virginia’s recently signed biennial budget directs the Department of Medical Assistance (DMAS) and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) to develop a Medicaid behavioral health care coordination model, which would be implemented on or after July 1, 2012. Although primary care and clinic mental health services are under managed care through a Medicaid managed care organization (MCO) or a health maintenance organization in many parts of the state, community mental health rehabilitation and substance abuse treatment services and case management are carved out from Medicaid managed care and provided through a fee-for-service model. However . . .