AMBHA Introduction


Directory of AMBHA Public Policy Statements (as of April 2000):
	AMBHA ASAM Joint Statement on Practice Guidelines Any Willing Provider Bill of Rights for Consumers Accessing Behavioral Health Services Clinically Appropriate Access to Medical Records Medicaid's IMD Prohibition Parity in Benefit Coverage: A Joint AMBHA-ASAM Statement Parity in Benefit Design Provider Sponsored Organizations (PSOs) Statement of Confidentality Statement on Co-occuring Disorders AMBHA ASAM Joint Statement Guideline for Credentialing and Privileging

Statement on Co-occurring Disorders

Background
The American Managed Behavioral Healthcare Association (AMBHA) represents nine managed behavioral healthcare organizations that provide insurance coverage for treatment of mental health and substance use disorders to over 100 million individuals. One of AMBHA=s primary objectives is to support the work of the larger mental illness and substance use disorders communities. In an effort to help ensure that individuals within these two communities are treated properly, AMBHA recommends that consumers who present with behavioral or substance use problems be assessed adequately for both mental and substance use disorders. AMBHA believes that patients with co-occurring disorders are often under served and would benefit from a comprehensive, coordinated service system.

Statement
The co-occurrence of mental and substance use disorders often exists in consumers who present with behavioral problems. A proper and thorough assessment is essential to the establishment of an accurate diagnosis and to the development of an effective treatment plan. Such an assessment allows the selection of the specific treatment milieu which best addresses the needs of those with mental disorders, those with substance use disorders and those with both disorders. For those consumers with both disorders, an integrated approach by clinicians trained in the treatment of both mental and substance use disorders facilitates the recovery process. AMBHA endorses such an integrated treatment approach for those who have been adequately diagnosed as having both disorders.

Press Release
March 24, 1999

For More Information:
Pamela Greenberg, M.P.P.
Tel. (202) 434-4565