The role of private-for-profit managed behavioral health in the public sector

Abstract

Managed behavioral health, once largely confined to private sector employees, has been growing rapidly in the public sector. Throughout the country, behavioral health services, particularly for Medicaid enrollees, are coming under the management of private-for-profit firms. The authors discuss these developments, and the controversies that have come about as a result. Several public/private models of managed behavioral health services are identified.