A National Survey of State Medicaid Psychotropic-Monitoring Programs Targeting Youths.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to describe state Medicaid psychotropic-monitoring programs targeting youths.

METHODS

Key informants from each state Medicaid administration and the District of Columbia were invited to participate in a telephone-administered survey designed to assess the implementation strategies of the state psychotropic-monitoring program. Data were collected from August 2011 through December 2012. A total of 38 states participated, four declined, and nine did not respond to the invitation. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize monitoring programs.

RESULTS

Key informants from 28 of the 38 states (74%) reported a program in place, mostly prior authorization (68%). One-third of the programs (32%) had a two-tier review involving pharmacists and child psychiatrists.

CONCLUSIONS

Although variability in psychotropic-monitoring programs may limit comparison of program impact across states, the variability provides an opportunity to investigate the impact of different models on best practices and the quality of care.