Course 2C - Intro to Professional & Clinical Issues in Managed Care - Necessary Shifts in Program Design and Treatment Approach

Some of this course's material (related to managed care goals, how managed care companies THINK, and how we have to change what we write in treatment records) overlaps 2B material . . . but then moves ahead to include professional, clinical, and programmatic CHANGES in store for professionals who are working under a Managed Care Provider Agreement. Want more credits? Some of this material appears in MiniCourse 3A (3 credit hours total), and in FlexiCourse 5A (5 credit hours), and FlexiCourse 10A (10 credit hours).

Course 2B - 'They're Coming to Audit WHEN?' - a.k.a, 'What Can Go WRONG in That Chart?'

[2 CREDIT HOURS] Want to pass that TREATMENT RECORD AUDIT? Want to avoid RECOUPMENT of claims payments already paid to you, when the MCO calls for a client's record, or their auditors show up at your door? Here's how! This fast-paced slide show clearly describes 'what's DIFFERENT' about how we must DOCUMENT TREATMENT in MH and CD/AOD client records today, under the new behavioral health contracts. And we give you useful and do-able tips on how to audit your own records - so that you are ready BEFORE the MCO or State auditor arrives. Also provides a clear explanation about HOW managed care contract administrators make pre-authorization decisions to approve or deny your requests for treatment . . . and WHAT you must write in the client's chart to support that authorization.

Course 3B - The Big Transition in the AOD Field: Assessment of ‘Need for Treatment’ and 'Treatment Interventions' - How They've Changed!

[3 CREDIT HOURS] In most states, it's goodbye to flexible addiction Block Grants and other 'open access' State contracts! This course addresses the 'nitty gritty' of the major CHANGES in TRADITIONAL SA-CD PROGRAMS, TREATMENTS, AND PHILOSOPHY, due to the new health care environment. Applies to single AOD diagnosis and to Dual MH-AOD diagnoses.

Offers a bird's eye view of how ASSESSMENT of the client's NEED FOR TREATMENT - and HOW we DELIVER the treatment - have CHANGED under Managed Care, and how to constructively adapt when it's ethically possible. Course 3B presents some specialized treatment scenarios which can be discussed with an MCO or other care manager (State or local, etc.) which can provide effective treatment of recidivistic addiction clients, under a 'Care Management' system.

We also provide an understanding of HOW the MCOs make those controversial treatment DECISIONS for substance abusing and chemically dependent individuals - and HOW TO ASK for 'WHAT' from the MCO's care manager, to maximize your chances of getting what your clients need.

Clear 1-2-3 guidance on how to DOCUMENT both your assessment and the treatment you deliver under a Care Managed system - and an introduction to RECOUPMENT-PROOFING your professional documentation, which fits in with the new CARE MANAGEMENT or Utilization Review (UR) process.

Some material in this course is included in MiniCourses 1B and 1C and elsewhere, but this course does it from the AOD perspective.

Course 3C - Beyond the Yellow Legal Pad! Biopsychosocial and Risk Assessment of CD and MH Minors [Even Under the TEXAS' TRAG!]

Move 'beyond the yellow legal pad' when assessing children and adolescents with CD and MH issues. This course focuses upon a structured, 1-2-3 approach to MH & CD Assessment of minor clients, WITH FREE DOWNLOADABLE FORMS! Addresses serious assessment ERRORS to avoid, which can result in LEGAL complications and PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY issues, as well as erroneous DIAGNOSIS(ES). And for you TEXAS professionals, this course and its assessment formats fully support your TDHS TRAG and UA Service Package requests for children and adolescents. Be documented beyond question in that child's chart!

Also includes a structured approach to RISK ASSESSMENT of a child or adolescent - including the short, easy-to-use FREE downloadable Risk Assessment Form. Protect yourself from legal vulnerability and critical incidents when working with clients who present a potential for harm to self or others.

NOTE: This course is a PDF DOCUMENT (Acrobat Reader) - not a slide show like our other courses.

FlexiCourse 5A - Welcome to Care Management! a.k.a., 'Do They REALLY Need Treatment?'

Course 3A - Managed Care - Is There Anything GOOD About It? a.k.a., 'The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of Providing Treatment Under Managed Care - The Perils and The Good Stuff.'

[3 CREDIT HOURS] All of the material in 1B and 1C is included, and then we expand on the clinical opportunities and perils for providers. We attempt to put to rest the question, 'So Is there really anything GOOD about Managed Care for Mental Health and Chemical Dependency professionals?' Oh yes indeed, there is! We take a look at what contract and treatment opportunities to pursue (and which to avoid) when you work with an HMO or other managed care administrator - what types of treatment fit with a managed care system - and how innovative, non-traditional treatment services (especially for children and adults with major mental illness) can be provided under the new managed care models for difficult high-risk clients. NOTE: The material in this mini-course is very similar to MODULE 201 which also awards 3 credit hours (201 is found in FlexiCourses 4A, 5A, 8A, and 10A) . What's the difference? The FlexiCourses have additional material and more credits!