Trends in the Inclusion of Mental Health Providers in Medicare Shared Savings Program ACOs.

OBJECTIVE: The study evaluated the presence of mental health providers in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) accountable care organizations.

METHODS: On the basis of data for all 105,155 providers participating in the 220 MSSPs in 2012 and 2013, MSSPs were classified by whether they included psychiatrists, psychologists, or clinical social workers. Descriptive statistics were calculated, including the number and type of mental health providers.

RESULTS: The inclusion of mental health providers varied substantially over time and across MSSPs. Only 52% of MSSPs included at least one mental health provider in April 2012. This proportion increased to 64% in July 2012 and was 61% in January 2013. MSSPs including mental health providers had a mean average of 26 such practitioners (minimum of 1, median of 11, and maximum of 240).

CONCLUSIONS: Although the MSSP model generally incentivized high-quality, coordinated care, it has largely overlooked mental health services.