James Schuster

The impact of buprenorphine on treatment of opioid dependence in a Medicaid population: Recent service utilization trends in the use of buprenorphine and methadone

BACKGROUND Buprenorphine provides an important option for individuals with opioid dependence who are unwilling or unable to attend a licensed methadone opioid agonist treatment program to receive opioid agonist therapy (OAT). Little empirical information is available, however, about the extent to which buprenorphine has increased the percentage of opioid dependent individuals receiving OAT, nor to what extent buprenorphine is being used in office based settings. METHODS Using administrative data from the largest Medicaid managed behavioral health organization in a large mid-Atlantic state, we used multivariate regression to examine rates and predictors of opioid agonist use and treatment setting for 14,386 new opioid dependence treatment episodes during 2007-2009. RESULTS Despite an increase in the use of buprenorphine, the percentage of new treatment episodes involving OAT is unchanged due to a decrease in the percentage of episodes involving methadone. Use of buprenorphine was significantly more common in rural communities, and 64% of buprenorphine use was in office-based settings. CONCLUSION Buprenorphine use has increased in recent years, with the greatest use in rural communities and in office based settings. However, the percentage of new opioid dependence treatment episodes involving an opioid agonist is unchanged, suggesting the need for further efforts to increase buprenorphine use among urban populations.

Use of a computerized medication shared decision making tool in community mental health settings: Impact on psychotropic medication adherence.

Healthcare reform emphasizes patient-centered care and shared decision-making. This study examined the impact on psychotropic adherence of a decision support center and computerized tool designed to empower and activate consumers prior to an outpatient medication management visit. Administrative data were used to identify 1,122 Medicaid-enrolled adults receiving psychotropic medication from community mental health centers over a two-year period from community mental health centers. Multivariate linear regression models were used to examine if tool users had higher rates of 180-day medication adherence than non-users. Older clients, Caucasian clients, those without recent hospitalizations, and those who were Medicaid-eligible due to disability had higher rates of 180-day medication adherence. After controlling for sociodemographics, clinical characteristics, baseline adherence, and secular changes over time, using the computerized tool did not affect adherence to psychotropic medications. The computerized decision tool did not affect medication adherence among clients in outpatient mental health clinics. Additional research should clarify the impact of decision-making tools on other important outcomes such as engagement, patient-prescriber communication, quality of care, self-management, and long-term clinical and functional outcomes.

Predictors of adequate depression treatment among Medicaid-enrolled adults.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether Medicaid-enrolled depressed adults receive adequate treatment for depression and to identify the characteristics of those receiving inadequate treatment. DATA SOURCE Claims data from a Medicaid-enrolled population in a large mid-Atlantic state between July 2006 and January 2008. STUDY DESIGN We examined rates and predictors of minimally adequate psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy among adults with a new depression treatment episode during the study period (N=1,098). PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Many depressed adults received either minimally adequate psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy. Black individuals and individuals who began their depression treatment episode with an inpatient psychiatric stay for depression were markedly less likely to receive minimally adequate psychotherapy and more likely to receive inadequate treatment. CONCLUSIONS Racial minorities and individuals discharged from inpatient treatment for depression are at risk for receiving inadequate depression treatment.

Impact of a Private Health Insurance Mandate on Public Sector Autism Service Use in Pennsylvania.

OBJECTIVE Many states have implemented regulations (commonly referred to as waivers) to increase access to publicly insured services for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In recent years, several states have passed legislation requiring improved coverage for ASD services by private insurers. This study examines the impact of such legislation on use of Medicaid-funded ASD services. METHOD We used Medicaid claims data from July 1, 2006, through June 30, 2010, to identify children with ASD and to assess their use of behavioral health services and psychotropic medications. Service and medication use were examined in four consecutive 12-month periods: the 2 years preceding passage of the legislation, the year after passage but before implementation, and the year after implementation. We examined differences in use of services and medications, and used growth rates from nonwaiver children to estimate the impact of the legislation on Medicaid spending for waiver-eligible children with ASD. RESULTS The number of children with ASD receiving Medicaid services increased 20% from 2006-2007 to 2009-2010. The growth rate among children affected by the legislation was comparable to that of other groups before passage of the legislation but decreased after the legislations passage. We project that, without the legislation, growth in this population would have been 46% greater in 2009-2010 than observed, associated with spending of more than

Psychotropic prescribing for persons with intellectual disabilities and other psychiatric disorders.

8 million in 2009-2010. CONCLUSIONS Passage of legislation increasing private insurance coverage of ASD services may decrease the number of families seeking eligibility to obtain Medicaid-funded services, with an associated substantial decrease in Medicaid expenditures.

Efficacy of atomoxetine in the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in patients with common comorbidities in children, adolescents and adults: a review

OBJECTIVE Prescribing patterns of psychotropic medication over a five-year period for Medicaid recipients (adults and children) with codiagnoses of an intellectual disability and a mental disorder were compared with patterns for those with sole mental disorder diagnoses. METHODS Each group was identified through paid behavioral health services claims. Four classes of medications (antidepressants, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, and mood stabilizers) were examined in paid pharmacy claims. Diagnostic categories, rates of psychotropic prescription, and polypharmacy (three or more medications concurrently for 90 days or more) were compared by age group (child or adult). RESULTS Adults with mental disorders only (N=793 to 883; the range reflects the five study years) were prescribed antidepressants at a significantly higher rate compared with adults in the codiagnosis group (N=184 to 217). For three of the five study years, antipsychotics were prescribed to the sole-diagnosis group of adults at a significantly higher rate than to those with codiagnoses. Children in the group with codiagnoses (N=108 to 141) were prescribed mood stabilizers at a significantly higher rate than the comparison group (N=638 to 728) in all five study years. Rates of antipsychotics prescribed were not statistically different between the two groups of children. Polypharmacy rates for both adults and children were higher for the codiagnosis group compared with the group with a sole mental disorder, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS Psychotropic prescribing patterns in the two groups studied varied by class of medication and age. Although evidence exists for using psychotropics to treat psychopathology and challenging behaviors among individuals with intellectual disabilities, consideration of behavioral intervention alternatives and careful monitoring of psychotropic effectiveness and side effects are recommended.

Concurrent Mental Health Therapy Among Medicaid-Enrolled Youths Starting Antipsychotic Medications

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorders and is associated with higher incidence of comorbid oppositional or conduct, mood, anxiety, pervasive developmental, and substance-use disorders. Comorbid mental health conditions may alter the presence of symptoms and treatment of ADHD. Atomoxetine (ATX), a nonstimulant medication for the treatment of ADHD, may be prescribed for individuals with ADHD and comorbid conditions despite some risk for certain undesirable side effects and lower effectiveness for the treatment of ADHD than stimulants. In this paper, we review studies utilizing randomized, placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) as well as within-subject designs to determine the effectiveness of ATX in the treatment of children and adults with ADHD and comorbid conditions. The current review uses an expanded methodology beyond systematic review of randomized controlled trials in order to improve generalizability of results to real-world practice. A total of 24 articles published from 2007 to 2015 were reviewed, including 14 RCTs: n = 1348 ATX, and n = 832 placebo. The majority of studies show that ATX is effective in the treatment of ADHD symptoms for individuals with ADHD and comorbid disorders. Cohen’s d effect sizes (ES) for improvement in ADHD symptoms and behaviors range from 0.47 to 2.21. The effectiveness of ATX to improve symptoms specific to comorbidity varied by type but appeared to be most effective for diminishing the presence of symptoms for those with comorbid anxiety, ES range of 0.40 to 1.51, and oppositional defiant disorder, ES range of 0.52 to 1.10. There are mixed or limited results for individuals with ADHD and comorbid substance-use disorders, autism spectrum disorders, dyslexia or reading disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, and Tourette syndrome. Results from this review suggest that ATX is effective in the treatment of some youth and adults with ADHD and comorbid disorders, and may be a treatment option in these patients.

Implementation of a Reverse Colocation Model: Lessons from Two Community Behavioral Health Agencies in Rural Pennsylvania

OBJECTIVE The use of antipsychotic medications among children and adolescents has increased substantially in recent years, predominantly in disorders for which effective psychosocial interventions exist. The authors of this study examined the extent to which youths being prescribed antipsychotic medications were receiving concurrent mental health therapy. METHODS Using administrative data, the authors identified 6,110 Medicaid-enrolled youths starting antipsychotic medications from November 1, 2006, through October 31, 2009, and identified youths who had received any concurrent mental health therapy. Multivariate regression models were used to examine the relationship between concurrent therapy and sociodemographic and clinical variables. RESULTS Sixty-eight percent (N=4,155) of youths starting antipsychotic medications received concurrent therapy. Multivariate regression findings are that concurrent therapy was more common with younger children, recently hospitalized youths, children from urban communities, youths from racial-ethnic minority groups, children with an antipsychotic-indicated diagnosis, and youths eligible for Medicaid because of family income. CONCLUSIONS The finding that 68% of youths starting antipsychotic medications received concurrent therapy suggests that for a majority of children, these medications complemented rather than substituted for nonpharmacologic interventions. However, with almost one-third of youths not receiving concurrent therapy, a better understanding of the factors contributing to the lack of concurrent therapy for youths starting antipsychotic medications is needed. Children and families should be aware of and have access to effective psychosocial treatments for disorders such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and depression that are common among children receiving antipsychotic medications.

Adoption of strategies to improve decision support in community mental health centers

This qualitative study examined the implementation of a reverse colocation pilot program that sought to integrate medical care in two community behavioral health agencies. To accomplish this, each agency hired a registered nurse, provided training for its staff to function as wellness coaches, and implemented a web-based tool for tracking consumer outcomes. The findings from two rounds of stakeholder discussions and consumer focus groups suggested that agencies successfully trained their staffs in wellness coaching, integrated nurses into agency functions, developed integrated care planning processes, and increased awareness of wellness among staff and consumers. Similar to other complex interventions, the agencies experienced challenges including difficulty establishing new procedures and communication protocols, discomfort among staff in addressing physical health concerns, difficulty building collaborative relationships with primary care providers, and modest uptake of the web-based tool. The study offers insights into the practical aspects of integrating care and makes recommendations for future efforts.

A Payer-Guided Approach To Widespread Diffusion Of Behavioral Health Homes In Real-World Settings

Method Training and implementation on a Decision Support Toolkit (Pat Deegan & Associates) was provided and supported by a managed behavioral health care organization to interested providers. Individuals in service and staff at four community mental health centers completed a skills and practices survey where they rated how often 18 activities occurred during their clinical sessions on a Likert scale. To examine subscales, an exploratory factor analysis was conducted using the Principal Axis Factoring method for non-normally distributed data with Promax rotation to account for correlations among subscales.