Ask the Experts: Updates on Sustainable Payment for CSC in Massachusetts

Brenda Jackson & Joshua Cranston

The goal of this meeting is to explain the results of a survey and follow-up interviews led by the NASMHPD Research Institute (NRI) and TriWest team. In 2023, NRI and TriWest gathered utilization, staffing, and other data from first episode psychosis programs across Massachusetts to set a sustainable team-based rate (both monthly and encounter rates across different program sizes/types) for coordinated specialty care.

Click here to view a fact sheet describing recent updates to billing for CSC in Massachusetts.

Our Speakers

Brenda Jackson specializes in policy, program design and implementation and regulatory analysis for Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP) with a focus on delivery system innovation, value-based purchasing (VBP), behavioral health system redesigns and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) policy compliance. Brenda worked on behavioral health, home and community-based services (HCBS) and managed care policy when she was employed by CMS, the State of Kansas, and Deloitte & Touche Management Consulting. While employed by CMS, Brenda was the Iowa State Representative and reviewed all Iowa waivers and amendments as well as reviewing all managed care authorities and contracts for Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska. Brenda has been in this field since 1993. Brenda is the parent and guardian of a 23-year-old son on the KanCare I/DD waiver.

Joshua Cranston is a Consultant for TriWest and is based in St. Louis. He is primarily responsible for project management, including on rate setting projects for coordinated specialty care for first episode psychosis programs across the nation and on projects for institutes/foundations, state-level agencies, and community health centers. He also assists with editing, preparing documents and reports, and providing research help.

Speaking of Psychology: Treatment and recovery from serious mental illness

Kim Mueser, PhD

Among the many challenges people with serious mental illness face is the stigma surrounding illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Kim Mueser, PhD, of the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation at Boston University, talks about the progress psychology has made in treating serious mental illness, the role of both medication and psychosocial interventions, why meaningful work can play a critical role in recovery, and the truth about the connection between violence and mental illness.

Speaking of Psychology is an audio podcast series produced by the American Psychological Association (APA) highlighting some of the latest, most important, and relevant psychological research being conducted today.

Kim Mueser, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and Professor at the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation at Boston University. Mueser’s clinical and research interests include family psychoeducation, the treatment of co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders, psychiatric rehabilitation for serious mental illnesses, and the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. His research has been supported by the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, and the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation. He is the coauthor of over 10 books and treatment manuals, and has published extensively, including numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters.

On Friday, May 27th 2022, MAPNET’s Dr. Raquelle Mesholam-Gately joined Wisconsin Public Radio for a segment titled “Why is psychosis still stigmatized in an era of mental health awareness?". The description from WPR.org and a link to the recording are included here:

Research has found that schizophrenia and other conditions that cause psychosis carry more stigma than other mental health conditions, like depression. For Mental Health Awareness Month, a researcher explains how stigma harms those who experience psychosis. Then, we hear from a leader of a group that provides peer-to-peer support for those who experience hallucinations.

Recognizing and Responding to Risk for Psychosis in Students

Michelle Friedman-Yakoobian, PhD

Watch Recording

Early Intervention for Psychosis in Young People: A Lived Experience and School Perspective

Presenters: Raquelle Mesholam-Gately, PhD; Kelsey Johnson, MPH; Dan Johnston

Join us for this listening session to gain insight on the early signs and symptoms of psychosis, review the benefits of early intervention, and access tools that help young people connect with care. Specialized early intervention provides the best hope for recovery and growth for teens and young adults who are starting to experience psychosis.

Having lived experience of early intervention as a young adult provides the opportunity to support other people experiencing confusing or unfamiliar phenomena through peer support and advocacy. At this session, we will also show how an individual’s self-determination is sustained during early intervention and how their goals and skills are fostered into the future.

This listening session will be co-facilitated by Courtney Spitzer, Clinical Research Study Coordinator, Harvard University, Department of Psychiatry and Martha Staeheli, PhD, Director of the New England Mental Health Technology Transfer Center's (New England MHTTC) School Mental Health Initiative. Our co-facilitators will ask the presenters questions about compassionate responses to early psychosis in schools before opening the floor for audience questions.

MAPNET’s Drs. Matcheri Keshavan and Raquelle Mesholam-Gately joined Mad in America to discuss their consumer-led project on renaming schizophrenia. You can listen to this podcast or read the transcript here.

“In this interview, [Drs. Keshavan & Mesholam-Gately] discuss what they learned about the issues surrounding the renaming of schizophrenia in their research with consumers and service users. In particular, they reflect on how this psychiatric diagnosis can impact the therapeutic alliance necessary for effective treatment and the overall quality of life of people diagnosed.”

Young people who have experienced psychosis and their families may have unanswered questions about the COVID-19 vaccine. With walk-in vaccine appointments now available across Massachusetts, this panel of early psychosis peer specialists and local vaccine experts are here to share their experiences.

Co-hosted by the New England Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC)

Panelists

• Mary LaSalvia, MD; Division of Infectious Disease, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

• Victoria Shokunbi, RN, MSN; Nurse Educator, Massachusetts Department of Mental Health

• Robert Walker, CPS; Office of Recovery and Empowerment, Massachusetts Department of Mental Health

• Joshua Cairns, CPS; Recovery Counselor, Prevention & Recovery in Early Psychosis (PREP) Program

• Tammie Badura, CPS; Certified Peer Specialist, Prevention & Recovery in Early Psychosis (PREP) Program

There are enough COVID-19 vaccines for everyone in the United States, but some people aren't quite sure yet if they are ready to get one. Dr. Emily Kline taught how to use skills from an evidence-based approach called motivational interviewing to have more successful conversations about COVID-19 vaccines.

Dr. Emily Kline is a psychologist, an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine, and the Director of Psychological Services for the Wellness and Recovery After Psychosis program at Boston Medical Center. She has created a brief curriculum that teaches core motivational interviewing concepts to non-professionals facing difficult conversations with their loved ones.

Co-hosted by the New England Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC)

View recording

View slides

Presenter: Dr. Matcheri Keshavan, MD

Hosted by OnwardNH at NAMI New Hampshire