The ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic has had numerous effects on behavioral health, including illegal substance use, budgetary concerns, and the use of telehealth. Here, we take a look at some of the behavioral health and addiction treatment-related news specific to California. Changing Prescription Painkiller Supply Poses Additional Risks as COVID Restrictions Relax Law enforcement officials…
Telehealth has grown rapidly across the nation in recent months, opening up new options for behavioral health providers and clients. In the scramble to launch remote services, however, many best practices may be overlooked. If you’re a behavioral health provider that is implementing or considering a move to telehealth, here are some best practices to…
As a behavioral health provider, you may be gearing up for an increased demand for your services in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The stress of job loss, health anxiety, and depression from social distancing are all expected to take a mental health toll on the U.S. population. At the same time, this increased…
With some data suggesting that the COVID-19 pandemic may be slowing down in the United States, the White House and several states have begun to discuss how to relax stay-at-home orders and reopen the economy. However, the mental health effects of the pandemic and economic shutdowns could persist for weeks, months, and possibly years. This…
The COVID-19 outbreak, and the ongoing response to it, has had a significant impact on Americans’ mental health. Here is a look at how behavioral health providers around the country are responding to the coronavirus pandemic. Expanded Telehealth in Massachusetts Helping Adult and Children’s Mental Health Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker implemented emergency regulations in response…
Social distancing, anxiety, and co-occurring disorders that raise the risk of COVID-19 infection can all exacerbate behavioral health symptoms. Behavioral health clinicians should be aware of these potential issues and help guide their staff and clients through this uncertain time. Physical concerns for behavioral health clients during the coronavirus outbreak Many behavioral health or addiction…
As coronavirus cases rose across the nation, more and more organizations are encouraging employees to work from home to avoid potential exposure and spread of the COVID-19 virus. Many behavioral health organizations may struggle with this change. While it may not be appropriate for all organizations or all employees, allowing remote work for some staff…
Behavioral health and addiction treatment providers have an important role to play in the coronavirus outbreak. As healthcare professionals, behavioral health clinicians should be ready to address concerns about the coronavirus from both clients and team members. Avoid coronavirus spread and infections Behavioral health organizations can help reduce the spread of coronavirus with the usual…
Under a prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP), providers and pharmacists use an electronic database to track prescriptions for controlled substances, such as painkiller medications. These PDMPs are intended to identify patients and behavioral health clients who may be misusing controlled prescriptions, which could put them at risk for addiction or overdose. PDMPs allow users to…
As we’ve discussed before on the BestNotes blog, value-based care is becoming the future of U.S. healthcare. However, most value-based payment (VBP) models have focused on physical health rather than behavioral health. The law firm of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, under its Manatt Health division, recently created a report for the California Health Care…