Headline
Mixed methods study assessed implementation successes, challenges, and outcomes of Medicaid behavioral health homes in Maine.
Background
Maine is among many states that implemented behavioral health homes for their Medicaid members. This study uses themes from stakeholder interviews and Medicaid claims data for 7,560 individuals enrolled in a behavioral health home — including adults with serious and persistent mental illness or children with serious emotional disturbance — to understand lessons and changes related to program implementation.
Findings
Interviewed stakeholders, which included state leaders and providers, shared that behavioral health homes benefitted from state-provided technical assistance, a move to capitated payments for case management services, and a connection to the state’s health information exchange. Some challenges noted included provider readiness and costs of implementing new workflows and technology. Medicaid expenditures rose by $170 per member per month two years following implementation.
Policy/Program Takeaways
States can use this study to understand experiences of implementing Medicaid behavioral health homes. This matrix from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services highlights other states that have implemented the health home model.