Anorexia nervosa, more commonly called simply anorexia, is an eating disorder characterized by restricted eating that can cause low body weight, usually combined with distorted body image and a strong fear of gaining weight. Many people with anorexia don’t recognize how underweight they become, or how harmful their condition can be to their overall health.…
Choosing and adopting a new electronic health record (EHR) system is no small feat for any behavioral health or addiction treatment provider. Whether you’re choosing your first EHR or switching to a different solution, here are five questions to ask any EHR vendor you consider. 1. What is your implementation strategy? How long should implementation…
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), widely known as Obamacare, allows for expanded Medicaid coverage for low-income Americans. So far, 36 states and the District of Columbia have adopted Medicaid expansion. In other states, the debate continues in numerous forms. Here’s some of the latest news on Medicaid expansion across the nation. Kentucky Plans to Expand…
As mental health and workplace wellness get more attention from the media and the general public, loneliness is emerging as a specific concern Loneliness not only affects quality of life, but creates problems at work, even among behavioral health staff. What causes workplace loneliness? In spite of open-office plans and increased connectivity, workers are lonelier…
Electronic prescribing for controlled substances (EPCS) has gained popularity as a method to better track and reduce fraud and misuse of medications. Many states have implemented their own EPCS mandates, while the federal government and private organizations have also joined the effort. Federal Legislation and Requirements for EPCS The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) authorized…
While Texas boasts opioid overdose rates below the national average, the Lone Star State has not been completely free of addiction and other behavioral health concerns. Here are a few of the behavioral health news stories making the rounds in Texas. Texas launches GetWaiveredTX to help expand buprenorphine use A group of health care providers,…
Providers, government agencies, researchers, and other stakeholders continue to seek ways to reduce the nation’s prescription painkiller epidemic. In recent months, electronic prescribing for controlled substances (EPCS) has gained more attention as a potential tool. What is EPCS? Many physical and behavioral health providers participate in electronic prescribing of medications, also known as e-prescriptions or…
Across the United States, many communities have limited access to quality behavioral healthcare, even as demand rises. The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) found that demand for addiction counselors alone may increase anywhere between 21 to 38 percent by 2030, creating a shortage of these professionals. As mental health awareness grows and the opioid…
Opioid misuse, alcoholism, and other forms of substance use disorder (SUD) continue to impact communities across the country. Telehealth and remote monitoring have become credible options for addiction treatment, especially for individuals in underserved locations. Current Addiction Treatment Needs Addiction treatment is facing many challenges across the United States, including: Healthcare worker shortages throughout the…
Florida may be the Sunshine State, but it still faces difficulties that include widespread addiction and a shortage of mental-health clinicians. Here are some of the recent developments affecting behavioral health in Florida. Most Florida Children Not Getting Mental Health Help Although nearly 400,000 children in Florida need behavioral healthcare, as many as 55 percent…