Psychotherapy Provider Attitudes Toward Managed Care

The mental health care delivery system is undergoing a metamorphosis of unprecedented proportion as a result of managed care. Few empirical assessments of practitioner response exist. Utilizing managed care provider and telephone directories, agency lists, and the Internet, 200 managed mental health care providers were anonymously surveyed. Experiences with utilization review, patient confidentiality, and short-term therapy were assessed. The differential impact of managed care on the practices of doctoral psychologists, Master's level psychologists, and social workers was examined. Of all the professional groups surveyed, those with Master's degrees in social work and psychology seem to be experiencing the easiest adjustment to managed care. This may in part be due to their having experienced only a moderate decline in hourly rate, whereas doctoral level providers are frequently encountering far more drastic reductions in fees. The different training of these professionals may also contribute to the social workers ' and counselors ' greater ability to tolerate the intrusion of managed care policies. Contains 18 references. (TS) ********** *)i *************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document