title: Value-based insurance designs in the treatment of mental health disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the feasibility of applying value-based insurance designs (V-BIDs) to the treatment of mental health disorders and address any additional challenges posed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature review.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study consisted of 3 steps. First, we reviewed the historical literature on V-BIDs and challenges revealed by various programs. Second, we reviewed the literature on the cost, scope, and various treatment options for mental health disorders. Third, we analyzed potential challenges in applying V-BIDs to mental health disorders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Many challenges exist in applying V-BID to the management and treatment of physical and mental health disorders, such as getting buy-in from insurance companies and from large employers, and adherence issues for those with diminished capabilities to comprehend program benefits and those lacking family support. Additional challenges specific to mental health disorders include: a) privacy (ie, sensitivity issues) in implementing the program in certain settings; and b) sociodemographic variables, along with perceptions of mental disorder severity and need that currently affect the take-up of mental health services.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Research projects focused on applying V-BID to mental health disorders that address these challenges and demonstrate cost savings will be needed (ie, comparative effectiveness research studies), along with additional information on changes in disability-adjusted life-years, and on-demand responses across different mental health services, populations, and care settings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham, Slot 820, Little Rock, AR 72207. E-mail: aferguson@uams.edu.
authors.forename: Alesia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferguson
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yates
authors.forename: J Mick
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Tilford
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000191:economics*; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D000070376:Value-Based Health Insurance