New Data Collection Procedures Discussed

At the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Mental Health Services, we learned that one of the positive opportunities for change underway by the Department of Health and Human Services in Nebraska is in the area of data collection.  New procedures and new methods of data collection have greatly improved the ability to know who is receiving care, why, where, and when.

As a result of the new data collection system, it appears that about 28,000 children and adults received mental health treatment in Nebraska which was paid for through Medicaid this last fall.  There may be others receiving care through their own private insurance plans or through the VA.  Those numbers would not be reflected in these totals.  There are about 12,000 females and 14,000 males, and the really great news is that the majority of the individuals are receiving care in their own communities rather than being hospitalized.  Recovery is an expectation!