February 1, 2005

Behavioral Health Oversight Committee

Work Group Descriptions

1. Coordination of Care Workgroup - This workgroup will work with the DSS and the four HUSKY plans to identify the key issues in assuring close coordination of HUSKY members' behavioral health care benefits with benefits maintained within the health plans.  These include primary care, specialty care, pharmacy, and transportation.  The workgroup will report to the full oversight committee on the DSS and health plans' planned strategies and processes for assuring coordination of care.

2.  Quality Management and Access Workgroup:  This workgroup will work with DSS and DCF to identify the parameters that need to be included in the ASO work plan as it pertains to monitoring the quality of behavioral health services provided to HUSKY members.  This includes quality indicators that monitor and assure access to care. 

3.  Provider Advisory Workgroup - Clinical Management Program:  This workgroup will review, and make recommendations regarding, draft Level of Care and Utilization Management guidelines developed by the Clinical Management Committee (co-chaired by DSS and DCF).

4.  Transitional Issues Workgroup (to be launched in April):  This workgroup will provide oversight of the process of migrating members to the behavioral health carve-out program.  Issues to be addressed include assuring that providers receive payment for all services rendered to the date of the changeover as well as assuring no disruption of services to members during the transition.