Managed Mental Health Care: Implications for Social Work Practice and Social Work Education

Abstract

ABSTRACT Managed care has rapidly developed as the most common model of delivery of health care in this country. This article examines the implications of new demands brought to bear on social workers. This research compares six managed health care plans operating regionally and nationally and demonstrates the cumbersome application process. Fee schedules for each of the plans are listed. Ethical concerns regarding the client's right to self-determination, confidentiality, primacy of the client's interests, and the client's right to services are discussed. Variation and ability to obtain treatment is demonstrated. Theinterrelatedness between the effects on practice patterns and the social work values arenoted. Implications for social work education are outlined in understanding the personalaffects of political policy.