The Federal Government Is Urged Not To Renew New Mexico’s Medicaid Managed Behavioral Health Care Program

The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law is “strenuously” urging the federal Health Care Financing Administration not to renew the behavioral health part of New Mexico’s Medicaid managed care program, Salud!, in light of reports documenting “extremely serious deficiencies” in mental health services, especially services for children and adults with mental disorders.

In a report titled “Problems with Salud!, New Mexico’s Managed Health Care Program: Information Sheet #2,” the center cited reports commissioned by the state’s Human Services Department (HSD) from the Health Employer Data Information System (HEDIS) and information from a member survey, showing major violations of federal and state rules for behavioral health care by the three managed care programs contracting with Salud! to serve Medicaid-eligible consumers: Lovelace Health Plan, Cimarron Health Maintenance Organization and Presbyterian Health Plan. In particular, adults and children enrolled in Salud!:

· lack access to behavioral health services—mental health care and addiction treatment;
· are much less likely than under the prior health care system to receive services through the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) program—required for all Medicaid-eligible children; and
· are much less likely than families in other states to visit a primary care doctor for preventive or other non-emergency purposes (well-child visit).

Bazelon Center policy director Chris Koyanagi said she also had reports that mental health therapy sessions had been “cut to 20 minutes because the providers spend the rest of the ‘hour’ on administrative work.”

If you or a family member have experienced problems receiving services from a Salud! Provider, we encourage you to write a letter to your U.S. Congressional Representative.

Please send a copy of your letter to Rafael Semansky, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, 1101 15th St NW, Suite 1212, Washington DC 20005.

Senator Pete Domenici-(505)346-6791
Representative Heather Wilson-(505)-346-6781
Senator Jeff Bingaman-(1-800-443-8658) in NM
Representative Joe Skeen-(505)-527-1771(LC)
Representative Tom Udall-(505)984-8950 (SF)