title: Managed care in the public sector: lessons learned from the Los Angeles PARTNERS program.
abstract: PARTNERS is the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health's capitated managed care treatment program. To explore the context in which public sector managed care reforms are occurring and to understand the obstacles to implementing such programs, qualitative data were collected from administrators, case managers, and clients. Administrators were found to need assistance in negotiating managed care contracts and in tracking costs. Case managers, although concerned about increased clinical demands, enjoyed the flexibility and creativity their new roles allowed. Clients were satisfied with their increased independence, even though many had to change their site of care. Beyond considering these concerns, the range of community stakeholders who may be affected by such interventions must be addressed.
authors.affiliation: VISN 16 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, 2200 Fort Roots Drive, Building 58, Room 134 (16MIR), North Little Rock, Arkansas 72114, USA. sullivangreer@exchange.uams.edu
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fortney
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tillipman
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Murata
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Koegel
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D019090:Case Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017144:Focus Groups; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007587:Job Description; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D015141:Los Angeles; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011635:Public Health Administration; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D019037:Urban Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*