For many mental health conditions, effective programs to restore health and social functioning require collaborative efforts that go far beyond the healthcare sector. Individuals who are newly diagnosed with psychosis often require a carefully coordinated mix of specialty services including pharmacotherapy, behavioral counseling, educational services, vocational supports, and supportive housing options. Despite the existence of mental health parity laws, public and private health insurance plans often do not cover the full array of services required by patients, creating gaps and delays in care. This study will develop and test a decision support tool designed to help health plans and service providers estimate the total costs of care and implement integrated payment strategies for health and social services needed by patients newly diagnosed with psychosis. A research team led by Weill Cornell Medical College will collaborate with the New York State Psychiatric Institute, the New York Department of Health, and the New York Academy of Medicine to conduct the study. The resulting decision tool will be hosted on an online platform to inform financial planning and payment policies among health plans, Medicaid agencies, providers and service agencies nationally.

Grant ID: 

76436

Primary Investigator: 

Yuhua Bao

Applicant Organization: 

Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Grant Type: 

Collaborative Research Center

Award Amount: 

$250 000.00

Start Date: 

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

End Date: 

Friday, April 30, 2021