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NJ: "Fee-For-Service" will mean Service for Some

240 Comments

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Beverley Paris
9 years ago

Those dealing with mental illness already have additional hurdles to jump. Having an easy to use, accessible program is important. Any change that will jeopardize the availability of these programs for the mental health community is a bad idea. My hope is that all people with mental health challenges will be able to find the right treatment. That usually takes time and having a program to help with the process is invaluable.

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Walter G Luger
9 years ago

As presently planned, the State's Fee For Services funding model will substantially harm private, non-profit mental health providers such as the Morris County Mental Health Association. By essentially cutting agency funding to these Associations, the "customer" will have no choice but to turn back to State hospitals and facilities and this will ultimately cost the State more money. The pending Fee For Services is a bad idea for many, many mentally challenged people who need care from services outside of State facilities.

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Jim Muhaw
9 years ago

Please reconsider the Fee for Service model! This is too important of a service. Thank you. Jim Muhaw

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Alex Keoskey
9 years ago

Fee for Services does not save the state money. When all is said and done, it will increase the cost to taxpayers of caring for the mentally ill. Let's support this petition!

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Pamela Michaluk
9 years ago

Please don't take funds away from those that need it most. Fee for Services has already lowered services for many and parents and care givers are suffering from this program.

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Cynthia Chazen
9 years ago

save our medication management programs, keep people in recovery!

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Louis Schwarcz
9 years ago

Unfortunately the amount of money that agencies are anticipated to bill the federal Medicaid program,under the new fee for service system, is, on a net basis, significantly less than the cost of providing adequate, responsive care to people with mental illness and their families. Once the state takes away state contract dollars, budgets, and replaces them with fee for service rates, dollars in the sysem will be significantly reduced. This will lead to a massive scaling back of services to a system that has some faults, but is working for many people. Continuity of care will be compromised as services as scaled back, and people will mental illness will be at a much higher risk of returning to state psychiatric hospitals or becoming homeless as a result. Please help us preserve a system that, over many years, has allowed many people with mental illness to live independently in their communities.. Lou Schwarcz, President and CEO, Mental Health Association of Morris County

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Stacey Woodard
9 years ago

Please oppose "fee for service" for mental healthcare. Our consumers livlihoods are at stake!

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Charles Graham
9 years ago

The system is letting the entire population down by this process. Most of the decision makers of this process have very little front line experience with clients. Often they sit in their decent offices and make decisions and they attempt to sell them as mutually agreed decisions. I would like to see these decision makers come and actually work a week alone with our consumers, deal with their emotional, physical and other issues, and then schedule their time for the federal and state paperwork that needs to be completed so that proof is there that services were actually provided with the threat that if the written response is not correct, then the money will be taken away even though the quality services were provide.

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Jennifer Marko
9 years ago

Fee for service is a horrible model setting non-profits up for failure. I think it will ultimately perpetuate fraud among agencies as employees try to ensure their salaries.

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Anonymous
9 years ago

Not only will fee for service effect the mental health population but it will also affect the individuals that work for the Community Mental Health Centers and their employment status

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Laverne Lightburn
9 years ago

Too many people that need help are walking around now without help. You see them on the news everyday.

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Judy Reilly
9 years ago

As a social worker in a middle school, it is very important to know that students have access to mental health services in times of need.

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Diane Leva
9 years ago

Please review the material!!

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Arthur Rupel
9 years ago

I have seen many indigent persons whose capabilities tp take care of themselves or be capable of using a Fee-for-Service would leave them utterly lost. This is nit a humane approach

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Khrystyne Ann
9 years ago

I support this movement to have the State of NJ reconsider/re-evaluate/delay their current plan for this fee-for-service model.

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D Amne Wolfe
9 years ago

We cannot afford to Leave our most vulnerable out of resources, client services and housing. It is cruel and absolutely unacceptable in our State. This is a time to act with prudence and compassion.

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Karen Mellozzo
9 years ago

Please protect access to Affordable mental health care.

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John Monahan
9 years ago

The big losers under fee-for-service managed care will be the most seriously ill, who are among the 3.6% of Medicaid enrollees that account for 50% of Medicaid costs and the taxpayer. Medicaid rates will no longer reimburse outreach and engagement services for these super-utilizers of health care services, who typically need extensive outreach and engagement before they will accept treatment. Without such support, they will be without treatment, and forced to rely on high cost emergency and inpatient care when problems arise. By failing to reimburse for outreach and engagement, not only will these individuals suffer, but taxpayers will be forced to pay for higher health costs. A better plan is required.

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Julie Shaw
9 years ago

I for one have been affected when I was working for an agency that went to fee for service for all Addictions Counseling clients. It created a lot of problems especially the cancellations or no show clients. This put further strain on myself as the only Addictions therapist for the mental health facility. Now this is to occur with this mental health clients and fee for service. I think this one a a mistake and will cause gaps in mental health care. This would be a travesty for them as well as facilities such as this one I used to work for. Let's not take the treatment from our mental health clientele. It is not fair or humane to do this those who seek timely treatment.