The Federal employee's health plan is the largest employer-sponsored health insurance program in the United States. It covers nine million people through 285 private insurance plans. The standards would not affect the health benefits provided by private employers. In recent years employers, insurers and health maintenance organizations have found ways to provide mental health services at predictable costs. In many cases they hire specialized managed-care companies to monitor the work of psychiatrists, psychologists and other mental health professionals, to make sure patients receive appropriate and effective treatment.
Psychiatrists often resent such second-guessing.
But Dr Jerome V Vaccaro, medical director of Pacificare Behavioral Health, in the Van Nuys section of Los Angeles, said the work of these companies often led to better outcomes for patients. This moves the rule one step closer to publication. Once published, the rule will be available for public comment. This will be the first comprehensive update of the guidelines since they were originally issued in July 1991. Public comment, including the information and input provided in response to questions, greatly assists the Board in finalizing a proposed rule.