CHAPTER 8Understanding Behavioral Health Care Benefits

Edward Jones

Ann McClanathan

Dagmar King

Diane S. Luedtke

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE

The term “behavioral health care” refers to mental health and substance abuse services provided by behavioral health specialists. Behavioral health care benefits are subject to the general forces of managed care while also facing unique issues and challenges of their own. In recent years, there has been a heightened focus on behavioral health care benefits because they are a key contributor to increased employee productivity and lower medical costs. Of an estimated 301 million Americans with health insurance,1 78 percent have some type of behavioral health care coverage.2

Mental Illnesses and Other Behavioral ...

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