Beneficiary Choice and Interprofessional Participation in CHAMPUS Mental Health Services
Abstract
As a major health plan with freedom of choice of provider, yields natural experiments in fee-for-service practice that are relevant to mental health policy. This is seen in the extent to which beneficiaries use multiple mental health providers or a single (exclusive) provider, the extent to which psychiatrists have been replaced as the major provider, the extent to which general physicians are increasingly involved, and the extent to which psychologists have penetrated this market over the years 1980-1987, including some inpatient practice and the emergence of a general physician/psychologist alliance. The cost and public policy aspects are discussed against an empirical background.