Recent Projects

Research and Analysis

  • Researched and wrote a comprehensive 18-page memo to advise a state agency on federal Medicaid authorities that may be accessed to provide comprehensive community-based support for children and adolescents with behavioral conditions

  • Drafted an analysis of the potential impact of recent federal changes to Medicaid on state capacity to support improved access to home and community-based services (HCBS) for individuals with disabilities and serious health conditions including mental illness and substance use disorder

  • Led development of case studies on implementation of mobile crisis services and developed an analysis of opportunities to expand crisis stabilization services for a state Medicaid agency

  • Researched and wrote a 12-page memo advising a state Medicaid agency on recent federal developments regarding required reporting on quality measures for Medicaid HCBS as well as examples of other states’ strategies for monitoring quality of HCBS.

  • Co-authored a paper on intersections between the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) and behavioral health crisis stabilization services cleared for posting by a federal agency

  • Co-authored a paper on federal requirements supporting commercial plan coverage of behavioral health crisis response services – posted on the Brookings Institute website

  • Developed written comments and delivered oral comments on behalf of NASMHPD at a listening session held by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to gather input on implementation of the new Medicaid HCBS waiver established in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (Pub. L. 119-21) (also known as H.R. 1)

  • Wrote comments on behalf of NASMHPD describing how current Medicaid authorities support expanded coverage of short-term crisis services in response to a Request for Information on the “Chronic Disease of Addiction and Mental Illness” issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

  • Researched and wrote a paper analyzing the relative strength of statutory authorities for programs administered by the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Presentations and Webinars

  • Developed two webinar series for stakeholders on different options for billing mobile crisis services using an encounter rate and a 15-minute reimbursement rate under a state Medicaid agency’s guidance and regulations

  • Participated in a live-streamed panel discussion sponsored by the Office of the National Coordinator on Health Information Technology at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services regarding the need for increased availability of health information technology to support improved access to and quality of behavioral health care (and quoted in national media on this convening)

  • As part of a learning collaborative for states sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), developed and delivered a presentation on opportunities in Medicaid to support community integration that focused on performance measurement and data collection

  • Developed and delivered a presentation on opportunities in Medicaid to support integration of behavioral health care and physical health care as part of a learning collaborative sponsored by SAMHSA

  • Presented to the Board of Directors of a research institute on recent federal developments affecting Medicaid coverage of behavioral health care

  • Presented on prospective payment system options for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) for a group of state officials working on implementation of the CCBHC demonstration

  • Presented on federal funding developments affecting mental health and substance use disorder programs at a national meeting of behavioral health experts

  • Developed and delivered a presentation at the behest of a state mental health commissioner to advise a workgroup of local stakeholders on the basics of Medicaid and various options for improving care for individuals who are homeless

  • Developed and delivered a presentation on Medicaid Early and Periodic Screening Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) requirements as part of a SAMHSA-funded webinar regarding children and adolescents with complex conditions

Technical Assistance

  • Provided technical assistance to a state regarding quality improvement activities and strategies including opportunities to use federal funds to support such efforts

  • Advised a leading health care quality non-profit on development of a cross-cutting strategy for supporting improved behavioral health care access and quality including development and delivery of presentations to the Board of Directors

  • Meeting regularly with state behavioral health commissioners to provide updates on federal activities affecting Medicaid and federal funding issues

  • Advising on Medicaid policy and financing strategies as part of a technical assistance initiative focused on expanding implementation of the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model in three states (with potential to expand to additional states)

  • Drafted legislation for NASMHPD to advocate with Congress on extending the enhanced federal Medicaid match for qualifying mobile crisis intervention services

  • Provided expert advice on Medicaid policy for a court monitor charged with overseeing implementation of a settlement agreement regarding improved access to mental health services for those found incompetent to stand trial

  • Researching and analyzing Medicaid managed care arrangements for a state considering carving in behavioral health benefits

Navigating health policy and federal funding streams

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