Article
Segment 9 - Regulating the Cost of Mental Healthcare
The annual estimated cost of mental healthcare is $80-$100 billion in direct costs, but Paul Gionfreddo and Stuart Lustig, MD, both don't believe that any more cost savings can be realized by squeezing the back end of the system.
The annual estimated cost of mental healthcare is $80-$100 billion in direct costs, but Paul Gionfreddo and Stuart Lustig, MD, both don’t believe that any more cost savings can be realized by squeezing the back end of the system.
They agreed with Wayne Katon, MD, who said that the way to address costs and ensure people are getting the appropriate care is through integrated models, which have shown cost savings.
“I think part of what we need is integrated care systems that provides good care of people’s both emotional and psychiatric illnesses but also their physical illness at the same time,” he said.
Dr Lustig added that prevention and providing more supportive work, community, and school environments can make all the difference.
