Categories Press Releases

Nearly 1 in 3 Floridians in Behavioral Health Safety Net System Use Telehealth Services for Mental Health Care During COVID-19

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nearly 1 in 3 Floridians in Behavioral Health Safety Net System Use Telehealth Services for Mental Health Care During COVID-19

~ New Data Shows Need for Expanded Mental Health Care Options Post-Pandemic ~

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – New data from the Florida Association of Managing Entities shows that nearly 1 in 3  patients in Florida’s behavioral health safety net system used telehealth services amid the COVID-19 crisis. The data, which was collected by the Managing Entities from over 300 mental health providers across the state, shows Floridians’ growing reliance on this important health care option, which is only temporarily authorized by the state at this time.

“The need to provide substance abuse and mental health services is critical during these stressful times. The fact that nearly one-third of all patients in our behavioral health safety net system used telehealth services demonstrates the need to make this a permanent option beyond the pandemic,” stated Dr. Christine Cauffield, Chair of the Florida Association of Managing Entities and CEO of LSF Health Systems.

Telephonic or audio-only telehealth services, which previously had been unavailable due to HIPAA concerns, were authorized by government agencies at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in order to expand access to health care. Telephonic services are more accessible to low-income, disabled, and elderly Floridians because, unlike traditional telehealth, they omit the video component and often do not require specific software or internet connection.

The data covers service numbers from all 67 Florida counties for July 2020. Key insights include:

  • In July, 31.6% of Floridians who received behavioral health safety net services used telehealth services.
  • From March to July, there was a 130% increase in the number of Floridians who used telehealth services to receive behavioral health care from the safety net system.
  • Since the authorization in March, tens of thousands of Floridians have used telehealth services.

Florida’s Managing Entities continue to see a steady use of telephonic and audio-only telehealth mental health services. However, there is a concern that the use of audio-only mental health services could be eliminated in the coming months if state officials do not act.

The Managing Entities’ safety net system provides mental health and substance abuse services for individuals who are below 200% of the poverty level. Managing Entities were early advocates for authorization of these services in order to prevent interruptions in critical services for this population once social distancing measures were put in place.

“Behavioral health services can help people live to their fullest potential, and by eliminating unnecessary barriers to how people receive critical substance abuse and mental health services, we can help more people lead productive lives,” stated Natalie Kelly, CEO of the Florida Association of Managing Entities.

As the state begins to reopen, the thousands of Floridians throughout Florida currently receiving their care through this option could potentially lose access unless authorization is extended post-pandemic. Managing Entities recommend flexibility in the continued use of these methods as they provide easy access to care for vulnerable Floridians. No timetable has been put in place to end the use of telephonic or audio-only telehealth, but it is expected to come into question as reopening phases progress.

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About the Florida Association of Managing Entities

The Florida Association of Managing Entities (FAME) is the statewide organization representing Florida’s seven Managing Entities. FAME’s mission is to advance the behavioral health recovery of individuals and their families in the state of Florida.

Categories Press Releases

More than 1 in 5 Floridians in Behavioral Health Safety Net System Use Telephonic Services for Mental Health Care During COVID-19

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

More than 1 in 5 Floridians in Behavioral Health Safety Net System Use Telephonic Services for Mental Health Care During COVID-19

~ New Data Shows Need for Expanded Mental Health Care Options Post-Pandemic ~

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – New data from the Florida Association of Managing Entities shows that more than 1 in 5 patients in Florida’s behavioral health safety net system used telephonic services amid the COVID-19 crisis. The data, which was collected by the Managing Entities from over 300 mental health providers across the state, shows Floridians’ growing reliance on this important health care option, which is only temporarily authorized by the state at this time.

“This service is breaking down obstacles to accessing critical mental health care at a time when it is needed most. We are able to reach our most vulnerable population in a way that’s safe and affordable for them,” said Dr. Christine Cauffield, president of the Florida Association of Managing Entities and CEO of LSF Health Systems. “With a tremendous amount of Floridians taking advantage of this option, it’s clear that this alternative needs to continue to be available well beyond the pandemic.”

Telephonic or audio-only telehealth services, which previously had been unavailable due to HIPAA concerns, were authorized by state agencies at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in order to expand access to health care. Telephonic or audio-only telehealth services are more accessible to low-income, disabled, and elderly Floridians because, unlike traditional telehealth, they omit the video component and often do not require specific software or internet connection.

The data covers service numbers from all 67 Florida counties between February and April 2020. Key insights include:

  • In April, 21% of Floridians who received behavioral health safety net services used telephonic services.
  • From March to April, there was a 300% increase in the number of Floridians who used telephonic services to receive behavioral health care from the safety net system.
  • In April, telephonic services in the system outnumbered the use of traditional telehealth in 20 counties.
  • Since the authorization in March, tens of thousands of Floridians have used telephonic services.

Data is currently being collected for May, and Managing Entities expect to see a continued increase in the use of telephonic and audio-only telehealth mental health services. However, there is a concern that the use of audio-only mental health services could be eliminated in the coming months if state officials do not act.

The Managing Entities’ safety net system provides mental health and substance abuse services for individuals who are below 200% of the poverty level. Managing Entities were early advocates for authorization of these services in order to prevent interruptions in critical services for this population once social distancing measures were put in place.

“Historically, the number of mental health problems increases in times of crisis, so telephonic and audio-only services have helped families more conveniently access mental health and substance abuse services during this difficult time,” said Natalie Kelly, CEO of the Florida Association of Managing Entities. “But when we’re not faced with a pandemic, there are still technological barriers that keep people from receiving the care they need, and these services can address that problem well into the future.”

As the state begins to reopen, the thousands of Floridians throughout Florida currently receiving their care through this option could potentially lose access unless authorization is extended post-pandemic. Managing Entities recommend flexibility in the continued use of these methods as they provide easy access to care for vulnerable Floridians. No timetable has been put in place to end the use of telephonic or audio-only telehealth, but it is expected to come into question as reopening phases progress.

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About the Florida Association of Managing Entities

The Florida Association of Managing Entities (FAME) is the statewide organization representing Florida’s seven Managing Entities. FAME’s mission is to advance the behavioral health recovery of individuals and their families in the state of Florida.

Categories Press Releases

Behavioral Health Services Safety Net System Praises Governor and First Lady for $5 Million Grant toward Opioid Crisis

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 27, 2020

Behavioral Health Services Safety Net System Praises Governor and First Lady for $5 Million Grant toward Opioid Crisis

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida’s behavioral health safety net system, made up of seven Managing Entities that oversee more than 300 behavioral health care providers statewide, today applauded Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis for the $5 million grant they received from the U.S. Department of Labor to launch a pilot program to help combat the opioid crisis in Florida.

“Florida has made considerable progress in the fight against the opioid crisis, and we must continue to forge ahead during these isolating and stressful times, when some Floridians are turning to opioids. Natalie Kelly, CEO of the Florida Association of Managing Entities said. “I applaud Governor and First Lady DeSantis for prioritizing behavioral health needs in our state. Community-based care and wrap-around services help individuals find hope and get back on their feet.”

Florida’s seven local Managing Entities work with a network of over 300 behavioral health care providers who deliver services to over 300,000 of Florida’s most vulnerable residents, including children, expectant mothers, veterans, and the chronically homeless.

Providers meet patients’ diverse needs with “wraparound services” that not only address mental health issues and substance abuse but also assist with housing, transportation, and employment. Community boards administer, manage, and ensure accountability of state and federal funds for behavioral health services, keeping oversight and accountability closest to the people they serve.

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The Florida Association of Managing Entities (FAME) represents Florida’s seven managing entities. Managing entities are local, not-for-profit businesses with community boards that administer, manage, and ensure accountability of state and federal funds for Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH) services.

Categories Press Releases

Behavioral Health Services Safety Net System Applauds Governor for $5 Million Grant for Crisis Counseling Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Oct. 19, 2020

Behavioral Health Services Safety Net System Applauds Governor for $5 Million Grant for Crisis Counseling Program

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida’s behavioral health safety net system, consisting of seven Managing Entities that oversee more than 300 behavioral health care providers statewide, today applauded Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis for the nearly $5 million emergency grant they received from the United States Department of Health and HUman Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for a Crisis Counseling Program through Florida’s 2-1-1 helplines.

“We must prioritize behavioral health services, and I applaud Governor DeSantis for his leadership in obtaining and directing much-needed resources to crisis counselors on the front lines of assisting Floridians who need help,” Natalie Kelly, CEO of the Florida Association of Managing Entities said. “That first call to 2-1-1 can be the most important call a person makes.”

Florida’s seven local Managing Entities work with a network of over 300 behavioral health care providers who deliver services to over 300,000 of Florida’s most vulnerable residents, including children, expectant mothers, veterans, and the chronically homeless.

Providers meet patients’ diverse needs with “wraparound services” that not only address mental health issues and substance abuse, but also assist with housing, transportation, and employment. Community boards administer, manage, and ensure accountability of state and federal funds for behavioral health services, keeping oversight and accountability closest to the people they serve. 


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The Florida Association of Managing Entities (FAME) represents Florida’s seven managing entities. Managing entities are local, not-for-profit businesses with community boards that administer, manage and ensure accountability of state and federal funds for Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH) services.

Categories Press Releases

Florida Association of Managing Entities Praises First Lady DeSantis for $5.2 Million to Support Mental Health and Other Services in Northwest Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 9, 2020

Florida Association of Managing Entities Praises First Lady DeSantis for $5.2 Million to Support Mental Health and Other Services in Northwest Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida’s behavioral health safety net system, made up of seven Managing Entities that oversee more than 300 behavioral health care providers statewide, today praised First Lady Casey DeSantis for her announcement that $5.2 million will be directed to residents in Northwest Florida, a region that is still recovering from Hurricane Michael, to support, among other things, mental health screening and evaluation services for children, families and teachers–regardless of whether they are insured.

“On behalf of Florida’s behavioral health safety net system, we thank First Lady DeSantis for continuing to prioritize behavioral health services,” said Natalie Kelly, CEO of the Florida Association of Managing Entities. “No one can thrive in a classroom or at work without first taking care of their mental health, and this funding will go a long way in helping those who have suffered the trauma of living in a hurricane-ravaged area get back on their feet.”

The Florida Association of Managing Entities has been a vocal supporter of telehealth services during the pandemic in order to provide essential substance abuse and mental health services to Floridians who need them now more than ever. The association recently released data showing that nearly 1 in 3 patients in Florida’s behavioral health safety net system used telehealth services amid the COVID-19 crisis.

Florida’s seven local Managing Entities work with a network of over 300 behavioral health care providers who deliver services to over 300,000 of Florida’s most vulnerable residents, including children, expectant mothers, veterans, and the chronically homeless.

Providers meet patients’ diverse needs with “wraparound services” that not only address mental health issues and substance abuse, but also assist with housing, transportation, and employment. Community boards administer, manage, and ensure accountability of state and federal funds for behavioral health services, keeping oversight and accountability closest to the people they serve.

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The Florida Association of Managing Entities (FAME) represents Florida’s seven managing entities. Managing entities are local, not-for-profit businesses with community boards that administer, manage and ensure accountability of state and federal funds for Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH) services.