Behavioral Health

/Behavioral Health

Behavioral Health covers topics dealing with mental health in our state. This ranges from information about programs to help individuals have good mental health to Governmental topics like Regional Behavioral Health Authorities.

Outcomes: Public Health’s Lighthouse

By | October 16th, 2012|Behavioral Health, General|

One of our primary objectives over the last couple of years has been to shift the focus of our performance measures away from process and procedures toward actual outcomes.  In other words, we don’t want to measure our success on whether someone’s paperwork is right, but on whether the services we provide actually help folks achieve [...]

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Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period begins today

By | October 15th, 2012|Behavioral Health, General|

October 15 to December 7 is when ALL people with Medicare can change their Medicare health plan and prescription drug coverage for 2013. Information on 2013 plans will be available beginning in October. People with Medicare can call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit www.medicare.gov for plan information. If a person is satisfied that their current plan will meet [...]

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AZ’s Future Essential Health Benefit Package

By | October 12th, 2012|Affordable Care Act, Behavioral Health|

The future health insurance exchange plans (as well as most other commercially available plans) will need to offer a standardized (state-specific) Essential Benefit Package once the Affordable Care Act kicks in on 1/1/14.  There are 10 key service categories that future plans will need to cover- including behavioral health services. States were responsible for picking [...]

Integrating Physical & Behavioral Health Services to Save Lives

By | October 11th, 2012|Behavioral Health|

We all need to take care of both our physical and behavioral health needs in order to be healthy. The mind and body aren't separated- and neither should the health-care delivery system- especially for folks with a serious mental illness. Folks with a serious mental illness die more than 25 years earlier than the general [...]

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Protect Your Family – Get Rid of Drugs

By | September 28th, 2012|Behavioral Health, Preparedness, Prevention|

Prescription drugs serve a very important purpose in health care, when they’re used the right way.  That’s why physicians have to write the prescriptions – doctors who are trained to understand the purpose of the medication as well as the patient’s tolerance and the possibility of interactions. However, too many times, we keep medication after [...]

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Rules Rollin’ Along

By | September 26th, 2012|Behavioral Health, Licensing|

Our regulatory reform effort in Licensing is rolling along.  We’ve already held rules work group meetings with representatives from behavioral health inpatient and residential facilities and are incorporating the Stakeholder comments into our next iteration of our draft rules.  In November, we’ll start holding rules work group meetings with representatives from behavioral health outpatient settings. This’ll truly [...]

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Working Together

By | September 24th, 2012|Behavioral Health, Licensing|

I've written many times about how important it is that we work with our partners to protect the health and safety of the people of Arizona.  It’s our responsibility to take advantage of opportunities to teach and practice what we preach.  It’s nice when someone outside acknowledges when someone goes above and beyond which is [...]

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State of the Hospital

By | September 12th, 2012|Behavioral Health|

A few weeks ago Cory Nelson did his in-person “State of the Hospital” presentations.  Many of you were able to attend one and we really appreciate the dialogue and feedback we got.  It’s impressive to see how much work our hospital team has accomplished in the past year.

The Future of Health Care in AZ

By | September 5th, 2012|Behavioral Health, General|

AHCCCS will host public meetings across the state to provide additional information regarding the future of Arizona’s Medicaid program.  Here's the Public Meeting Schedule and more information.  

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