JACKSON, Miss., May 13, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new behavioral health initiative launched by Magnolia Health – a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, and leading Mississippi-based Coordinated Care Organization – has improved outcomes for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
In 2014, Magnolia Health partnered with behavioral health company Cenpatico® Care Management to create a new program to improve continuity of care and ensure appropriate diagnosis, treatment and referral of children with ADHD.
During the yearlong initiative, Magnolia Health member patients exceeded the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) certified Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) score, ranking above the 95th percentile for the initiation phase and above the 90th percentile during the maintenance phase.
The two-pronged approach focused on improving health for children prescribed ADHD medications. The first measure – the initiation phase – concentrated on children ages 6-12 with ambulatory prescriptions and included a follow-up visit with a physician in the first 30 days of the program. The second measure – the continuation and maintenance phase – honed in on this child age group with ambulatory prescriptions who remained on the medication for at least seven months and had at least three follow-up visits with a physician within nine months after the initiation phase.
Numerous quality initiatives advanced by Magnolia Health boosted the healthy outcomes of the initiative, including:
- Pharmacy training of the clinical care team on ADHD medications.
- Behavioral health training of the clinical care team on best practice management of children with ADHD.
- Automatic referral to Cenpatico® for children with new ADHD medication prescription.
- Outreach project by social services specialists to remind parents/guardians of the required follow-up visits to a provider once ADHD medication is started.
- HEDIS Quick Reference provider tools given to providers.
- Magnolia Health and Cenpatico® management and quality improvement coordinators worked with behavioral health providers to provide additional education regarding these HEDIS measures and required follow-up visits.
"Millions of children are living with ADHD, and Magnolia Health is constantly striving to advance programs and solutions that will improve outcomes and performance of kids across the state," said Dr. Jason B. Dees, president and CEO of Magnolia Health. "One of the most successful and beneficial initiatives has been a continuum of care through leading-edge medical and behavioral health services, like this important partnership with Cenpatico."
Approximately 11 percent of children 4-17 years of age – 6.4 million people in the United States – have been diagnosed with ADHD, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Boys (13.2 percent) were more likely than girls (5.6 percent) to have ever been diagnosed with ADHD. The annual "cost of illness" for ADHD is estimated to be between $36 and $52 billion, and between $12,005 and $17,458 annually per individual.
About Magnolia Health
Magnolia Health is a long-term solution to help the state of Mississippi enhance care for Medicaid and CHIP recipients, while most effectively managing taxpayer dollars. A physician-driven, Mississippi-based Coordinated Care Organization (CCO), Magnolia is backed by its parent company, Centene Corporation (Centene). Centene has more than 30 years of experience in Medicaid, CHIP and other government-funded programs such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and long-term care. For more information about Magnolia, visit www.magnoliahealthplan.com.
About Cenpatico®
Since 1994, Cenpatico® has provided comprehensive managed behavioral healthcare services for vulnerable and underserved populations. The company started out as a group practice of behavioral health clinicians offering services and care management in Texas. Cenpatico® has never lost its clinical focus and passion for serving people. Members are enrolled in publicly-funded programs including Medicaid (TANF), CHIP, ABD/SSI, the Child Welfare System, and Medicare. Cenpatico® offers agencies, health plans, and states solutions to administer healthcare services more effectively. Specialties include managed care solutions for behavioral health, foster care, specialty therapy and rehabilitative services, specialized school services, and community re-entry programs.