INITIAL TREATMENT DECISIONS BY LEVEL OF CARE FOR YOUTH IN THE CHAMPUS TIDEWATER DEMONSTRATION

Over a three-year span, the level of care initially provided to children and adolescents receiving mental health services under a CHAMPUS Demonstration in the Tidewater area of Virginia shifted dramatically to less restrictive and less expensive settings, consistent with national policy. Issues about the quality of care under this cost containment model (which includes fiscal incentives for the contractor) are explored, criteria for placement decisions require further attention.