[NYAPRS Enews] HIT: MH IT Gap Hinders Care Coordination, Access

[Matt Canuteson]

NYAPRS Note: A recent national survey has found that a lack of financing
has caused the behavioral health system to lag far behind general
healthcare in access to health information technology. The survey of
over 440 organizations representing segments of the behavioral health
and human services field revealed that about half as much money is spent
in behavioral health and that fewer than half of all behavioral health
and human services providers have fully implemented clinical electronic
record systems.

Currently, the public mental health and addictions services safety net
is not eligible for the Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement incentives
under the HITECH Act (legislation that created incentives to improve our
nations healthcare information technology systems).

Linda Rosenberg, president and CEO of the National Council for Community
Behavioral Healthcare stated:

"Mental health and addiction services get short shrift yet again even as
we confirm that HIT is the cornerstone of efforts to coordinate services
among healthcare specialties, mental and addiction disorders are often
chronic conditions, and HIT can coordinate care and save and improve
lives."

 

 

Survey Highlights IT Gap Between General, Psychiatric Healthcare

Healthcare IT News June 29, 2009 

 

WASHINGTON - Lack of financing has caused mental health and human
services to lag far behind general healthcare in access to health
information technology, according to a national survey of more than 400
organizations. 

 

The Behavioral Health/Human Services Information Systems Survey was
conducted by the Centerstone Research Institute on behalf of the Mental
Health Corporations of America, National Association of Psychiatric
Health Systems, National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare and
Software and Technology Vendors Association and involved 440
organizations representing varied segments in the behavioral health and
human services field.

 

The survey revealed that mental health/addictions services spend only
half as much as primary care on healthcare IT and employ only about a
third as many IT professionals. Fewer than half of all behavioral health
and human services providers have fully implemented clinical electronic
record systems.

 

Most of these providers expect to spend even less on healthcare IT next
year on account of budget cuts, reduced reimbursements and higher
patient volume, the survey indicated. However, if resources were made
available, overall healthcare IT spending would increase.

 

"Health information technologies can help serve more patients more
effectively and better meet the growing need for psychiatric services,"
said Mark Covall, president and CEO of the National Association of
Psychiatric Health Systems, in response to the survey findings. "The
significant investment that has already been made by providers is
evidence of the field's commitment to technology. But we can't keep up
unless dollars are available on par with the rest of healthcare."

 

The public mental health and addictions services safety net is currently
not eligible for the Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement incentives
under the HITECH Act. 

 

"Mental health and addiction services get short shrift yet again even as
we confirm that HIT is the cornerstone of efforts to coordinate services
among healthcare specialties," said Linda Rosenberg, president and CEO
of the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare. "Mental and
addiction disorders are often chronic conditions, and HIT can coordinate
care and save and improve lives."

 

"The organizations that sponsored this survey are engaged in ongoing
dialogue with legislators and policy makers on behalf of the millions
who would benefit from quality care facilitated by HIT funding and
advancements, and we encourage others to join us in this important
effort," said Kevin Scalia, chair of the Software and Technology Vendors
Association and executive vice president of corporate development for
Netsmart Technologies.

 

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