No Savings For Consumers With Mental Health Disorders Under Massachusetts Blues Global Payment Model

A Massachusetts health plan global payment model designed to encourage coordinated care did not improve care coordination or reduce costs for people with mental health conditions. In 2009, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) launched the voluntary Alternative Quality Contract (AQC) model to encourage coordinated health care. Compared with BCBSMA enrollees in organizations not participating in the AQC, enrollees in participating organizations were slightly less likely to use mental health services. Among mental health services users, total health care spending was slightly lower among the enrollees served by organizations participating in the AQC compared to those served by non . . .