Home Helpful information regarding mental illness

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ASK THE PSYCHIATRIC PHARMACIST

NAMI National is pleased to be working with the College of Psychiatric and Neurological Pharmacists to offer a new section where Psychiatric Pharmacists write and answer questions that they experience in the course of their work with individuals with mental illness.  They will periodically be posting new questions and answers so be sure to check back frequently.

INFORMATION ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS/BRAIN DISORDERS

OVERVIEW OF MENTAL ILLNESSES/BRAIN DISORDERS

SPECIFIC ILLNESSES/DISORDERS

TREATMENT: Medications, Psychosocial interventions and evidence-based practice

RECOVERY

MENTAL HEALTH PARITY AND MDICARE

A new report published by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) found that more than 21 percent of hospital stays show a mental health condition as a primary or secondary diagnosis.

The study, which used 2006 data from the Health Care Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) on mental health stays at U.S. community hospitals, determined that about 60 percent of such stays were paid for by government programs (like Medicare), while only 24 percent were paid for by private insurance.

A shift in these numbers will likely be visible after 2010. Last month, Congress passed the $700 billion bailout plan and included a mental health parity provision requiring private insurance companies to put mental health benefits on par with physical health benefits. Historically, patients with insurance have had to pay much higher copayments and faced stricter coverage restrictions for mental health care than for other covered kinds of care. The provision kicks in on January 1, 2010.

To find out which mental health services are covered by Medicare, visit Medicare Interactive.

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