Modern Healthcare (7/8, Dickson, Subscription Publication) reports that “inpatient psychiatric facilities are pushing back at attempts by the CMS” to implement “new quality metrics that will affect psychiatric facility payments starting in fiscal 2018.”
While some behavioral health facilities have “jeered” the proposed measures, particularly those regarding tobacco use treatment, “others were thrilled with the quality measure recommendations.” For example, American Psychiatric Association CEO Saul Levin, MD, said, “Given the prevalence of tobacco use among persons with mental illness and the detrimental effects of tobacco use on overall health, the (American Psychiatric Association) is in full agreement that clinicians should provide tobacco use screening and offer treatment.”
Dr. Levin added, “While inpatient psychiatric facilities may not be primarily established to provide substance use treatment, the lack of such treatment during periods of hospitalization impedes the effectiveness of psychiatric treatment and the likelihood of recovery.”
Related Links:
— “Psychiatric facilities push back on new CMS quality measures,” Virgil Dickson, Modern Healthcare, July 7, 2015.