Monitor on Psychology - May 2012 - (Page 69)

S TAT E L E A D E R S H I P C O N F E R E N C E NYSPA President Dr. Richard Juman addresses a Medicaid question during the State Leadership Conference. Paul Berman, Maryland Psychological Association “Anyone who thinks we’re just blowing smoke when we’re talking about opportunities is missing what’s real here,” said Berman. Currently, most Maryland private practitioners don’t participate in Medicaid. But the huge influx of middle- and working-class residents into the system may make participation more attractive to them, Berman said. “It’s really not just because of the low rates being paid,” he said, explaining that the state’s reimbursement rate is on par with that of commercial carriers. Instead, it’s the no-show rate among traditional Medicaid beneficiaries that’s the problem. “As higher incomes are eligible to move into medical assistance and the exchange, then the percentage of no shows will be the same as in standard outpatient practice,” Berman predicted. These newly covered individuals will also have more moderate mental health and substance abuse disorders than the traditional Medicaid population, predicted Brian Hepburn, MD, executive director of the Maryland Mental Hygiene Administration. “Twenty years ago, we were dealing with the severely mentally ill,” said Hepburn. With health-care reform’s emphasis on prevention, he said, states now have to focus on everyone. Maryland has committed itself to being No. 1 in the country for health-care reform, Hepburn said. The state is streamlining regulations, re-examining its Medicaid mental health carve-out and studying such issues as housing and employment that keep individuals with behavioral health problems from recovering if they’re not addressed. Psychologists need to be involved in every aspect of healthcare reform, Hepburn said. “There’s so much that needs to be accomplished — we’re small players,” he said. “It’s very important for psychologists to be involved in planning ... so that people with behavioral health needs continue to get those needs met and aren’t left behind.” n —R.A. CLAY

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Monitor on Psychology - May 2012

Monitor on Psychology - May 2012
Letters
President’s Column
Contents
From the CEO
Math + science + motherhood = a tough combination
The rights of indigenous people take center stage at AAAS meeting
Interdisciplinary programs that are leading the way
Good Governance Project moves into its next phase
APA publishes third edition of seminal ADHD book for kids
Government Relations Update
In Brief
Random Sample
Judicial Notebook
Psychology’s first forays into film
Time Capsule
Questionnaire
Presidential programming
Obesity researchers receive lifetime achievement awards
Top speakers for psychology’s top meeting
Science Watch
Homing in on sickle cell disease
Psychologist Profile
Alone in the ‘hole’
Public Interest
State Leadership Conference ‘12
Perspective on Practice
Education tops council’s agenda
Meet the candidates for APA’s 2014 president
Presidential election guidelines
Division Spotlight
American Psychological Foundation
Support for sexual miniorities
Personalities

Monitor on Psychology - May 2012