Citation

Knutson KH. NEJM Catal. Innov. Care Deliv. 2021; 2(8).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, NEJM Group, a division of the Massachusetts Medical Society)

DOI

10.1056/CAT.21.0037

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The behavioral health system in the United States is failing at a time when we need it the most. Rates of mental health and substance use disorders are rising in the wake of Covid-19, and increased suicide and drug overdose deaths can be expected to follow. Effective behavioral health treatments exist, but access is limited by multiple barriers, including inadequate care delivery, workforce shortages, lack of outcome measurement, and payment methodologies that disincentivize value. To overcome these limitations and meet the growing demand, a comprehensive overhaul of the current system is required. The author adopts the Porter-Lee value agenda and applies it to behavioral health, building on current pockets of innovation to deliver an effective and efficient systemat a national scale. Changes in policy needed to expedite these advances also are defined. © 2021 MMS. All rights reserved.

Language: en