An evaluation of agreements between managed care organizations and community-based mental illness and addiction disorder treatment and prevention providers.

This Issue Brief, prepared for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), examines contracts between managed care organizations (MCOs) and community-based providers of mental illness and addiction disorder treatment and prevention services (MI/AD providers). Building upon initial research published in 1997, this brief explores in depth one of the most hidden aspects of managed care: the relationship between the managed care organizations and health care providers.