Availability of Network Psychiatrists Among the Largest Health Insurance Carriers in Washington, D.C.

OBJECTIVE: Lack of access to mental health treatment remains a significant problem in the United States, even after implementation of mental health parity legislation. This study examined availability of psychiatrists listed in insurance carrier network provider databases in the Washington, D.C., area. METHODS: Contact information was obtained for 1,184 psychiatrists listed in online directories for three of the largest insurance carriers serving the Washington, D.C., area. The "mystery shopper" method was used to assess the accuracy of listed contact information, new outpatient appointment availability, and average wait times for 50 psychiatrists randomly selected from each insurance directory. RESULTS: Most (77%) physicians were successfully contacted, meaning that someone answered the phone or returned a voice mail message, and 51% of the psychiatrists had working telephone numbers verified to be correct. Fifteen percent of the psychiatrists were accepting new outpatients with the target insurance, with average wait times of 19 days; only 7% were able to schedule an appointment within two weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Inaccuracy of insurance provider directories significantly affected the ability of patients to obtain timely mental care.

Are Psychiatrists Ready for Health Care Reform? Findings From the Study of Psychiatric Practice Under Health Care Reform.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to describe the extent to which psychiatrists, prior to insurance expansions under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), reported currently participating or being likely to participate in integrated services delivery models, to assume new roles, to accept new reimbursement structures, and to use electronic health records (EHRs). METHODS: A cross-sectional probability survey of U.S. psychiatrists was fielded from September to December 2013. In total, 2,800 psychiatrists were randomly selected from the AMA Physician Masterfile, and 45% responded. Of these, 93% (N=1,099) reported treating patients, forming the sample. RESULTS: Overall, 29% reported practicing in new ACA or integrated models, and 64% reported assuming at least one new role. Forty-two percent reported currently receiving a salary; other capitated and risk-based reimbursement was rarely used. Half (53%) reported current use of EHRs for clinical functions not limited to billing or practice management; only 21% reported participating in the Medicare or Medicaid EHR Incentive Program. Those who reported currently practicing or being very likely to practice in primary care or integrated treatment settings, to assume at least one ACA role, to receive a salary, or to use an EHR were younger and more racially-ethnically diverse and more likely to see Medicaid and public outpatient clinic patients Conclusions: Although substantial proportions of psychiatrists reported current practice in ACA services delivery models and ACA roles, the findings highlight opportunities for workforce development, training, and technical assistance to strengthen participation in these activities. The findings also underscore the need to prepare psychiatrists for merit-based payment reforms and use of EHRs.

Availability of Mental Health Services Prior to Health Care Reform Insurance Expansions.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to examine psychiatrists' perceptions of gaps in the availability of mental health and substance use services and their ability to spend sufficient time and provide enough visits to meet patients' clinical needs. METHODS: A cross-sectional probability survey of U.S. psychiatrists was fielded during September through December 2013 by using practice-based research methods, including distribution by priority mail. Psychiatrists (N=2,800) were randomly selected from the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile, and 1,188 of the 2,615 (45%) with deliverable addresses responded. Of those, 93% (N=1,099) reported currently treating psychiatric patients, forming the sample for this study. RESULTS: Thirty percent or more of psychiatrists reported being unable to provide or find a source for each of the following services in the past 30 days: psychotherapy, housing, supported employment, case management or assertive community treatment, and substance use treatment. Approximately 20% reported being unable to provide or find a source for inpatient treatment, psychosocial rehabilitation, general medical care, pharmacologic treatment, and child and adolescent treatment. Approximately half (52%) of psychiatrists reported not having enough time during patient visits, affecting 28% of patients. More than one-third (37%) reported being unable to provide enough visits to meet patients' clinical needs, affecting 24% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Psychiatrists reported constrained availability of a range of mental health, substance use, and general medical services. In order for the Affordable Care Act to realize the promise of increased access to care, the infrastructure for mental health and substance use treatment, workforce, and services delivery may require significant enhancement.

Diagnosis of PTSD by Army Behavioral Health Clinicians: Are Diagnoses Recorded in Electronic Health Records?

OBJECTIVE: The study sought to identify the extent to which posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnoses are recorded in the electronic health record (EHR) in Army behavioral health clinics and to assess clinicians' reasons for not recording them and treatment factors associated with recording or not recording the diagnosis. METHODS: A total of 543 Army mental health providers completed the anonymous, Web-based survey. Clinicians reported clinical data for 399 service member patients, of whom 110 (28%) had a reported PTSD diagnosis. Data were weighted to account for sampling design and nonresponses. RESULTS: Of those given a diagnosis of PTSD by their clinician, 59% were reported to have the diagnosis recorded in the EHR, and 41% did not. The most common reason for not recording was reducing stigma or protecting the service member's career prospects. Psychiatrists were more likely than psychologists or social workers to record the diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that for many patients presenting with PTSD in Army behavioral health clinics at the time of the survey (2010), clinicians did not record a PTSD diagnosis in the EHR, often in an effort to reduce stigma. This pattern may exist for other diagnoses. Recent Army policy has provided guidance to clinicians on diagnostic recording practice. An important implication concerns the reliance on coded diagnoses in PTSD surveillance efforts by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). The problem of underestimated prevalence rates may be further compounded by overly narrow DoD surveillance definitions of PTSD.

Prevalence of Professional Burnout Among Military Mental Health Service Providers.

OBJECTIVE: Professional burnout is a well-documented occupational phenomenon, characterized by the gradual "wearing away" of an individual's physical and mental well-being, resulting in a variety of adverse job-related outcomes. It has been suggested that burnout is more common in occupations that require close interpersonal relationships, such as mental health services. METHODS: This study surveyed 488 mental health clinicians working with military populations about work-related outcomes, including level of professional burnout, job satisfaction, and other work-related domains. RESULTS: Approximately 21% (weighted) of the sample reported elevated levels of burnout; several domains were found to be significantly associated with burnout. CONCLUSIONS: Education about professional burnout symptoms and early intervention are essential to ensure that providers continue to provide optimal care for service members and veterans.

Planning Patient-Centered Health Homes for Medicaid Psychiatric Patients at Greatest Risk for Intensive Service Use.

This study identified characteristics of Medicaid psychiatric patients at risk of hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits to identify their service delivery needs. A total of 4,866 psychiatrists were randomly selected from the AMA Physician Masterfile; 62 % responded, 32 % met eligibility criteria and reported on 1,625 Medicaid patients. Patients with schizophrenia, substance use disorders, suicidal and violent ideation/behavior, and psychotic, substance use, or manic symptoms were at high risk for intensive service use, along with homeless and incarcerated patients. Patients with schizophrenia or psychotic symptoms represented 37 % of patients, but used 73 % of all hospital days and 61 % of all ED visits. Patients with substance use problems comprised 21 % of patients, but used nearly half of all ED visits. Our findings highlight opportunities to enhance treatments and interventions, and inform the development of patient-centered health homes to address the needs of patients at high risk for intensive service use.

APIRE Practice Research Network: accomplishments, challenges, and lessons learned.

The Practice Research Network (PRN) was established in 1993 to bridge the gap between the science base and the clinical practice of psychiatry by expanding the generalizability of findings and involving clinicians in the development and conduct of research. It began as a nationwide network of psychiatrists and has evolved to conduct large-scale, clinical and policy research studies using randomly selected samples of psychiatrists from the AMA Physician Masterfile. This paper provides an overview of major PRN initiatives and the impact of these studies. It describes the benefits to clinicians of participating in PRN research, as well as strategies developed to address key challenges.

Mental health treatment access and quality in the army: survey of mental health clinicians.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to identify factors affecting timely, quality mental health and substance abuse treatment for service members and characterize patients at the greatest risk of having problems accessing treatment. METHODS: An electronic survey was emailed to 2,310 Army mental healthcare providers. After providers with undeliverable emails and who self-reported not being behavioral health providers were excluded, 543 (26%) of the remaining 2,104 providers responded. This represented approximately a quarter of all Army behavioral health providers at the time of the survey. Of these 543 providers, 399 (73%) reported treating at least one service member during their last typical work week and provided clinically detailed data on one systematically selected service member. RESULTS: The majority of the clinicians reported being able to spend sufficient time with patients (91.8%) and schedule encounters to meet patients' needs (82.4%). The clinicians also identified services where treatment access was more limited and patient subgroups with an unmet need for additional clinical care or services. Specifically, a significant proportion of clinicians reported that they were "never, rarely, or sometimes" able to provide or arrange for mental health treatment for the sampled service member's children (52.0%), provide or arrange for marriage and family therapy (40.1%), coordinate care effectively with primary care (36.7%), provide or arrange for care/case management (28.3%), or provide or arrange for substance abuse treatment (24.9%). Patients with more severe symptoms and diagnostic and clinical complexity had higher rates of problems with treatment access. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight opportunities to improve access to timely, quality treatment for service members and their families.

Use of evidence-based treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder in Army behavioral healthcare.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the extent to which evidence-based psychotherapy (EBP) and psychopharmacologic treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are provided to U.S. service members in routine practice, and the degree to which they are consistent with evidence-based treatment guidelines. METHOD: We surveyed the majority of Army behavioral health providers (n = 2,310); surveys were obtained from 543 (26%). These clinicians reported clinical data on a total sample of 399 service member patients. Of these patients, 110 (28%) had a reported PTSD diagnosis. Data were weighted to account for sampling design and nonresponses. RESULTS: Army providers reported 86% of patients with PTSD received evidence-based psychotherapy (EBP) for PTSD. As formal training hours in EBPs increased, reported use of EBPs significantly increased. Although EBPs for PTSD were reported to be widely used, clinicians who deliver EBP frequently reported not adhering to all core procedures recommended in treatment manuals; less than half reported using all the manualized core EBP techniques. CONCLUSIONS: Further research is necessary to understand why clinicians modify EBP treatments, and what impact this has on treatment outcomes. More data regarding the implications for treatment effectiveness and the role of clinical context, patient preferences, and clinical decision-making in adapting EBPs could help inform training efforts and the ways that these treatments may be better adapted for the military.

Clinically unintended medication switches and inability to prescribe preferred medications under Medicare Part D.

Medicare Part D has expanded medication access; however, there is some evidence that dually eligible psychiatric patients have experienced medication access problems. The aim of this study was to characterize medication switches and access problems for dually eligible psychiatric patients and associations with adverse events, including emergency department visits, hospitalizations, homelessness, and incarceration. Reports on 986 systematically sampled, dually eligible patients were obtained from a random sample of practicing psychiatrists. A total of 27.6% of previously stable patients had to switch medications because clinically indicated and preferred refills were not covered or approved. An additional 14.0% were unable to have clinically indicated/preferred medications prescribed because of drug coverage/approval. Adjusting for case-mix, switched patients (p = 0.0009) and patients with problems obtaining clinically indicated medications (p = 0.0004) had significantly higher adverse event rates. Patients at greatest risk were prescribed a medication in a different class or could not be prescribed clinically-indicated atypical antipsychotics, other antidepressants, mood stabilizers, or stimulants. Patients with problems obtaining clinically preferred/indicated antipsychotics had a 17.6 times increased odds (p = 0.0039) of adverse events. These findings call for caution in medication switches for stable patients and support prescription drug policies promoting access to clinically indicated medications and continuity for clinically stable patients.

Axis IV psychosocial problems among patients with psychotic or mood disorders with a cannabis use disorder comorbidity.

Among 1,610 patients with psychotic or mood disorders in routine psychiatric practice, odds ratios (crude and adjusted for age, education, gender, and race) quantified associations between the presence of comorbid cannabis abuse/dependence and seven psychosocial problems. Results revealed a higher prevalence of five of seven Axis IV psychosocial problems among patients who had a psychotic or mood disorder and a comorbid cannabis use disorder. The results underscore the need for careful screening and treatment of comorbid cannabis abuse/dependence among patients with psychotic or mood disorders given the prominent associated psychosocial impairments in this population.

Sleep problems, psychiatric hospitalization, and emergency department use among psychiatric patients with Medicaid.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the prevalence of sleep problems and their association with the use of inpatient and emergency department services by Medicaid recipients with serious mental illness. METHODS: The sample consisted of 1,560 psychiatric patients with Medicaid coverage who were identified in a ten-state random survey of psychiatrists. Sleep problems were assessed by clinician ratings. RESULTS: Over 75% of the patients experienced a sleep problem, and approximately 50% of these patients had problems that were moderate to severe. Greater sleep problem severity was associated with an increased risk of psychiatric hospitalization and emergency department visits for mental health reasons. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep problems were highly prevalent among Medicaid patients with serious mental illness and were associated with greater inpatient and emergency mental health service use. More careful monitoring and management of sleep problems in this patient population could address a common clinical need and might help to reduce costly service use.

Suicidality is associated with medication access problems in publicly insured psychiatric patients.

BACKGROUND: Beginning January 1, 2006, the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit shifted drug coverage from Medicaid to the new Medicare Part D program for patients who were eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid benefits ("dual-eligibles"). These patients were randomly assigned to a private Part D plan and came under specific formulary and utilization management procedures of the plan in which they were enrolled. OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between physician-reported medication switches, discontinuations, and other access problems and suicidal ideation or behavior among "dual-eligible" psychiatric patients. METHOD: Data were collected in 3 cross-sectional cycles in 2006 (January-April, May-August, and September-December) as part of the National Study of Medicaid and Medicare Psychopharmacologic Treatment Access and Continuity using through-the-mail, practice-based survey research methods. Data from the third cycle, representing all events since January 1, 2006, were used for these analyses. A national sample of psychiatrists randomly selected from the AMA Masterfile provided clinically detailed data on 1 systematically selected, dual-eligible psychiatric patient (N = 908). Propensity score analyses adjusted for patient sociodemographics, treatment setting, diagnoses, and psychiatric symptom severity. RESULTS: Patients who experienced medication switches, discontinuations, and other access problems had 3 times the rate of suicidal ideation or behavior compared with patients with no access problems (22.0% vs 7.4%, P < .0001). Mean odds ratios and excess probabilities were highest for patients who were clinically stable but were required to switch medications (31.8%; mean OR = 4.87, mean P = 8.92(-5), excess probability = 0.21). Patients who experienced discontinuations (26.4%; mean OR = 2.13, mean P = 2.12(-2), excess probability = 0.12), other access problems (18.7%; mean OR = 3.01, mean P = 1.03(-5), excess probability = 0.15), and multiple access problems (22.3%; mean OR = 2.88, mean P = 4.10(-5), excess probability = 0.14) also had significantly increased suicidal ideation or behavior. CONCLUSION: Increased occurrences of suicidal ideation or behavior appear to be associated with disruptions in patient medication access and continuity. Clinicians need to be aware of the possibility of increased suicidality when, for administrative reasons, a clinically stable patient's medication regimen is altered. Dual-eligible psychiatric patients represent a highly vulnerable group with a substantial burden of illness; these findings underscore the need to provide special protections for this population.

Medicaid medication access problems and increased psychiatric hospital and emergency care.

OBJECTIVES: To quantify the extent to which Medicaid programs may incur increased psychiatric emergency department and hospital use associated with clinically unintended medication discontinuations, gaps, switches and other access problems attributed to prescription drug coverage and management. METHOD: This study uses clinically detailed, physician-reported data. A total of 4866 psychiatrists in 10 states were randomly selected from the AMA Masterfile; 62% responded and 32% treated Medicaid patients and reported on 1625 systematically selected Medicaid patients. Propensity score multivariate models assessed predicted probabilities and mean number of emergency department visits and hospital days. RESULTS: Many patients (46.0%, S.E.=1.3%) had medication access problems reported during the past year, including discontinuing or switching medications or inability to obtain clinically indicated prescriptions because of drug coverage or management. The expected number of emergency department visits was estimated to be 73.8% higher among patients with medication access problems reported compared to matched patients without access problems reported. Among acute stay inpatients, the expected number of hospital days was 71.7% higher for patients with medication access problems reported. CONCLUSIONS: Medication access problems may have significant implications for Medicaid programs. The potential indirect costs of these policies in psychiatric and social services utilization should be considered in addition to direct pharmacy costs.

First-year Medicare Part D prescription drug benefits: medication access and continuity among dual eligible psychiatric patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study provides national data on medication access and continuity problems experienced during the first year of the Medicare Part D prescription drug program, which was implemented on January 1, 2006, among a national sample of Medicare and Medicaid "dual eligible" psychiatric patients. METHOD: Practice-based research methods were used to collect clinician-reported data across the full range of public and private psychiatric treatment settings. A random sample of psychiatrists was selected from the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile. Among these physicians, 1,490 provided clinically detailed data on a systematically selected sample of 2,941 dual eligible psychiatric patients. RESULTS: Overall, 43.3% of patients were reported to be unable to obtain clinically indicated medication refills or new prescriptions in 2006 because they were not covered or approved; 28.9% discontinued or temporarily stopped their medication(s) as a result of prescription drug coverage or management issues; and 27.7% were reported to be previously stable on their medications but were required to switch medications. Adjusting for case mix to control for sociodemographic and clinical confounders, the predicted probability of an adverse event among patients with medication access problems was 0.64 compared to 0.36 for those without access problems (P < .0001). All prescription drug utilization management features studied were associated with increased medication access problems (P < .0001). Adjusting for patient case mix, patients with "step therapy" (P < .0001), limits on medication number/dosing (P < .0001), or prior authorization (P < .0001) had 2.4 to 3.4 times the increased likelihood of an adverse event. CONCLUSIONS: More effective Part D policies and management practices are needed to promote clinically safer and appropriate pharmacotherapy for psychiatric patients to enhance treatment outcomes.

Part D and dually eligible patients with mental illness: medication access problems and use of intensive services.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the occurrence of medication access problems and use of intensive mental health services after the transition in January 2006 from Medicaid drug coverage to Medicare Part D for persons dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare benefits. METHODS: Psychiatrists randomly selected from the American Medical Association's Physicians Masterfile reported on experiences of one systematically selected dually eligible patient (N=908) in the nine to 12 months after Part D implementation. Propensity score matching was used to compare use of psychiatric emergency department care and inpatient care between individuals who experienced a problem accessing a psychiatric medication after Part D and those who did not. RESULTS: Approximately 44% of dually eligible patients were reported to have experienced a problem accessing medications. The likelihood of visiting an emergency department was significantly higher for those who experienced an access problem than for those who did not (mean odds ratio=1.75, mean p=.003). There was no difference in number of emergency department visits or hospitalizations for those who had at least one. CONCLUSIONS: Many dually eligible patients had difficulty accessing psychiatric medications after implementation of Part D. These patients were significantly more likely to visit psychiatric emergency departments than patients who did not experience difficulties. These findings raise concerns about possible negative effects on quality of care. Additional study is needed to understand the full effects of Part D on outcomes and functioning as well as treatment costs for this population.

Medicaid prescription drug policies and medication access and continuity: findings from ten states.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to compare medication access problems among psychiatric patients in ten state Medicaid programs, assess adverse events associated with medication access problems, and determine whether prescription drug utilization management is associated with access problems and adverse events. METHODS: Psychiatrists from the American Medical Association's Masterfile were randomly selected (N=4,866). Sixty-two percent responded; 32% treated Medicaid patients and were randomly assigned a start day and time to report on two Medicaid patients (N=1,625 patients). RESULTS: A medication access problem in the past year was reported for a mean+/-SE of 48.3%+/-2.0% of the patients, with a 37.6% absolute difference between states with the lowest and highest rates (p<.001). The most common access problems were not being able to access clinically indicated medication refills or new prescriptions because Medicaid would not cover or approve them (34.0%+/-1.9%), prescribing a medication not clinically preferred because clinically indicated or preferred medications were not covered or approved (29.4%+/-1.8%), and discontinuing medications as a result of prescription drug coverage or management issues (25.8%+/-1.6%). With patient case mix adjusted to control for sociodemographic and clinical confounders, patients with medication access problems had 3.6 times greater likelihood of adverse events (p<.001), including emergency visits, hospitalizations, homelessness, suicidal ideation or behavior, or incarceration. Also, all prescription drug management features were significantly associated with increased medication access problems and adverse events (p<.001). States with more access problems had significantly higher adverse event rates (p<.001). CONCLUSIONS: These associations indicate that more effective Medicaid prescription drug management and financing practices are needed to promote medication continuity and improve treatment outcomes.

Psychiatric opinion and antipsychotic selection in the management of schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined psychiatrists' opinions regarding the use of second-generation antipsychotics for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. It then sought to identify factors associated with these opinions. METHODS: A national survey was conducted (September 2003-January 2004) of psychiatrists engaged in the management of patients with schizophrenia. RESULTS: Among survey respondents (N=431), most psychiatrists (88%) believed that one or more of the five currently available second-generation antipsychotics could improve treatment-resistant positive symptoms after a failed trial of optimal oral haloperidol treatment. Psychiatrists who reported familiarity with schizophrenia practice guidelines were more likely to have high levels of optimism that these medications improve positive symptoms (odds ratio [OR]=3.6, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.4-9.3, p=.009). Psychiatrists who met with a pharmaceutical representative at least once a week were also more likely to have high levels of optimism toward second-generation antipsychotics (OR=2.3, CI=1.4-3.9, p=.001). CONCLUSIONS: Reported familiarity with treatment guidelines and frequent contact with pharmaceutical representatives appear to be associated with optimism toward second-generation antipsychotics.

Family contact and the management of medication non-adherence in schizophrenia.

We compare psychiatric management of antipsychotic non-adherence among schizophrenia outpatients with high and low levels of family contact. A national survey was conducted among a random sample of psychiatrists treating schizophrenia, providing data on 310 patients. Patients were stratified by level of family contact. Psychiatrists were more likely to use family interventions to manage non-adherence among patients with high family contact. Psychiatrists were significantly more likely to change antipsychotic dosing in patients with high family contact, though less likely to start depot antipsychotic medications. Family interventions appear to be commonly used in the psychiatric management of medication non-adherence in schizophrenia.

Medicare Part D prescription drug benefits and administrative burden in the care of dually eligible psychiatric patients.

OBJECTIVE: With implementation of Medicare Part D, concerns were raised that patients with severe mental illness who were dually eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare benefits would be at clinical risk. In addition to concerns about medication access and continuity, there were concerns about administrative burden for physicians and their staffs. This study aimed to quantify the amount of administrative burden for psychiatrists and their staff related to Medicare Part D prescription drug plan administration in a national sample of dually eligible psychiatric patients and to identify factors associated with increased burden. METHODS: A total of 5,833 psychiatrists were randomly selected from the American Medical Association's Physicians Masterfile. Responses were obtained from 64% (N=3,247) with a mailed survey using practice-based survey research methods during the first four months of Medicare Part D implementation (January to April 2006); 1,183 psychiatrists met eligibility requirements. RESULTS: Psychiatrists and their staff spent 45 minutes in administrative tasks for every one hour of direct patient care for dually eligible patients. Drug plan features, including prior authorization and preferred drug formularies, and medication access problems were associated with increased administrative time. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study indicate several drug plan features and medication access problems related to Part D implementation were associated with significant increases in administrative burden for psychiatrists and their staff, which may result in less time for direct patient care. Given the vulnerability of this high-risk population, this increased administrative burden may pose a significant risk to the overall quality of care for psychiatric patients.