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Improving the Mental Health of Children Through School-Based Prevention, Intervention Services
On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we find out about efforts by a managed Medicaid health care plan in Southern California to bring prevention and intervention mental health services to schools in response to a worsening crisis among America's children and adolescents.
America’s children and teenagers are facing a mental health crisis of epidemic proportions. More than 1 in 3 high school students had worsening mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic and nearly half felt persistently sad or hopeless, according to the most recent figures from the CDC.
Moreover, not everyone is affected to the same degree. Female students, as well as those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (LGBTQ), report higher levels of mental distress and suicide-related behaviors.
On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we speak with Amrita Rai, the clinical director of the Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), a managed Medicaid health care plan in Southern California. IEHP is partnering with Molina Healthcare, County Behavioral Health, the education departments in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, and some local school districts and charter schools to implement the Student Behavioral Health Incentive Program, a 3-year state program to expand prevention and early intervention behavioral health services.
This episode discusses why the program is needed, the goals of the program, and some of the reasons why children and adolescents are struggling.
We also discuss 988, an upgrade to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number coming July 16, 2022. The number will connect individuals with trained counselors, and, if needed, send specially trained responders with the aim of reducing armed law enforcement interventions.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available by calling the the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline toll-free number, which is 988 beginning on July 16, 2022—or call the existing number, 1-800-273-TALK (8255)—to reach your local certified crisis center.
Listen to an excerpt of the interview above or through one of these podcast services:
What the Updated Telephone Consumer Protection Act Rules Mean for Health Care Messaging
April 4th 2025As new Federal Communications Commission rules take effect April 11, 2025, mPulse CEO Bob Farrell explains how health organizations can stay compliant while building patient trust through transparency and personalized engagement.
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Navigating Sport-Related Neurospine Injuries, Surgery, and Managed Care
February 25th 2025On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we speak with Arthur L. Jenkins III, MD, FACS, CEO of Jenkins NeuroSpine, to explore the intersection of advanced surgical care for sport-related neurospine injuries and managed care systems.
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Varied Access: The Pharmacogenetic Testing Coverage Divide
February 18th 2025On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we speak with the author of a study published in the February 2025 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® to uncover significant differences in coverage decisions for pharmacogenetic tests across major US health insurers.
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American Advocacy and Action for Minority Health in 2025
April 4th 2025Accessing equitable health care is an ongoing struggle in the US for minority communities due to historical pretexts with new setbacks surfacing as recent administrative changes emerge, highlighting the urgent need for continued advocacy during National Minority Health Month.
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