Behavioral Health
Behavioral health is a major public health issue in the District of Columbia. Sadly, many of the legislative and regulatory initiatives around behavioral health are tied to other public health concerns, such as opioid addiction, maternal mortality, and health equity.
In partnership with the Washington Psychiatric Society, AMA, and American Psychiatric Association (APA), MSDC works to ensure that patients receive appropriate support for behavioral health issues, that the practice of psychiatry is supported in the District, and that psychiatrists are available to patients in the District.
MSDC was a proud supporter of the Behavioral Health Parity Act of 2017, which enshrined into law that all health plans offered by an insurance carrier meet federal requirements of the Wellstone/Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008.
MSDC Statements and Testimony of Behavioral Health Issues
25th Council period information coming soon
DC Residents Will Have Access to UnitedHealthcare’s District Dual Choice Program – Individuals Eligible for Medicare and Medicaid
The District Dual Choice Program provides comprehensive, coordinated health benefits to eligible adults (aged 21+) who qualify for Medicare and Medicaid. This comprehensive health coverage offers a customized care plan and a single point of contact for all Medicare and DC Medicaid services. UnitedHealthcare will continue to work closely with the Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) to improve the overall health and well-being of enrollees through a value-based, whole-person, and integrated care model.
Integrated care is changing the way patients receive their care by focusing on care of the whole person. Physical health and behavioral health are significantly correlated, but historically the systems that deliver physical and behavioral health services have been built and developed independently, with no formal, system-level coordination. By integrating behavioral health and Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) into the District Dual Choice Program, UnitedHealthcare can provide a comprehensive approach to care coordination across medical and behavioral services, improve and simplify enrollee and provider experiences, reduce administrative costs, and enhance health plan ability to deliver on state goals.
UnitedHealthcare works for enhanced and deeper provider partnerships through value-based contracting, including Home and community-Based Services (HCBS) providers. This creates an enrollee-centered approach in caring for enrollees while continuing to meet them where they are, resulting in effectively coordinated care. Enrollees can continue to access core Medicare benefits along with Part D (pharmacy) benefits and targeted clinical programs and services. Additionally, the plan offers supplemental benefits and services that are not typically available through Original Medicare or Medicaid at no extra cost. These may include dental coverage, routine vision care, allowance for certain over-the counter items and healthy food, and more.
For more information about Provider Resources visit UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of District of Columbia Homepage | UHCprovider.com.
Sample of Legislation MSDC is Tracking in Behavioral Health
(see the whole list of bills here)
What does it do? The bill requires licensed health providers to complete 2 hours of CME on suicide prevention, assessment, and screening.
MSDC position: MSDC opposes the bill as written as the language does not encourage physician wellbeing or sufficient awareness of suicide prevention.
Current status: The bill had a hearing with the Committee on Health on June 10.