NCJ Number
191364
Journal
CTM-Corrections Technology & Management Volume: 5 Issue: 5 Dated: September/October 2001 Pages: 32-36
Date Published
2001
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article describes how MHM Correctional Services, Inc., a mental health services provider for approximately 100 correctional facilities in 4 States, cooperates with departments of corrections (DOC's) to educate doctors, raise awareness of new drugs, and balance costs.
Abstract
MHM has approximately 50 prescribing psychiatrists and a total staff of 400 employees. MHM supplies the doctors and mental health staff for facilities in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. MHM supplies the doctors and mental health staff for the facilities, and MHM's doctors write the prescriptions for inmates. To control rising medical costs MHM has worked with DOC's to develop innovative approaches. MHM works with its doctors to ensure that they are equipped with the information and tools to provide the best care in the most cost-effective fashion. This is done by getting prescribers to have some investment in the final costs, so that all of the doctor's choices will affect their bottom line. MHM believes that doctors with some fiscal incentive will prescribe the best option for the clinical outcome and fiscal responsibility. MHM has also designed a mental health system that is not fragmented. Psychiatrists are supervised by a lead doctor, and services and medicines are monitored for their cost-effectiveness. The Georgia DOC, for example, requires that every activity of the doctors be reviewed through case management reports. Feedback is given to the psychiatrists based on what the clinical leadership has identified, and psychiatrists are provided training to address needed improvements. A mental health program is organized so as not to be totally based on medication. A comprehensive approach includes work, therapy, recreation, and education programs.