News Report | November 17, 2020
Over Two Years, Maine Medicaid Behavioral Health Homes Did Not Change Utilization; Raised Expenditures By $170 Per Beneficiary Per Month
After Maine Medicaid implemented behavioral health homes (BHH), over the first two years the enrollees had no significant changes in utilization compared to their utilization before enrollment. After BHH enrollment, total expenditures increased by $170 per beneficiary per month. Although the utilization changes were not statistically significant, data shows that emergency department visits decreased, that there was a small increase in inpatient admissions, and that a large increase in 30-day inpatient readmissions. There was little change in the rate of follow-up within 30 days of discharge for a mental-illness-related admission.
The Maine Medicaid BHH program launched . . .