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Evaluation of Peer Support Programs: Implications for Utility and Accuracy
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| Presenter(s):
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| Glenn Landers, Georgia State University, glanders@gsu.edu
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| Mei Zhou, Georgia State University, mzhou1@gsu.edu
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| Abstract:
In 2007, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a letter to states providing guidance for the development of Medicaid billable peer support services. Because of the likelihood that peer support programs will continue to expand nationwide with support of the CMS guidance, it is important, from a public policy perspective, to better understand the mental health service delivery costs associated with peer support.
This study investigated whether or not peer support impacted crisis stabilization costs, psychiatric hospitalization costs, and total Medicaid costs within one state’s Medicaid system using a retrospective quasi-experimental design. Peer support was associated with significantly higher total Medicaid cost, significantly lower facility cost, and significantly higher prescription drug and professional services costs. Short-term increases in state Medicaid spending for peer support programs may support community integration, which, in turn, may lead to lower Medicaid spending in the long-term.
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Mixed Methods Evaluation of the Massachusetts Peer Specialist Training and Certification Program
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| Presenter(s):
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| Heather Strother, University of Massachusetts, heather.strother@umassmed.edu
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| Linda Cabral, University of Massachusetts, linda.cabral@umassmed.edu
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| Kathy Muhr, University of Massachusetts, kathy.muhr@umassmed.edu
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| Laura Sefton, University of Massachusetts, laura.sefton@umassmed.edu
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| Christine Clements, University of Massachusetts, christine.clements@umassmed.edu
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| Abstract:
A growing trend in mental health systems is for individuals with mental illness and experience with mental health services to work as Peer Specialists. In this role, they serve as role models and provide support, education and advocacy to clients using mental health services. The authors recently completed an evaluation of a training program that prepares Peer Specialists for this work in the Massachusetts mental health delivery system. Using a mixed methods approach, the evaluation explored a) strengths and opportunities to enhance the training program and b) the degree to which the training program is establishing a competent workforce of certified peer specialists throughout Massachusetts. This paper will describe the overall evaluation aims and questions, rationale for using a mixed methods approach, and details of the study design. It will also present integrated findings regarding the training’s impact on its participants and a description of factors that explain this impact.
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