The Provider Advisory Committee (PAC) of CBHNP meets at least quarterly to consider proposals for benefit inclusion of new technologies or the new application of existing technologies or behavioral health procedures. In 2003, a proposal was approved for an alternative behavioral strategy to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. In 2004, a proposal was approved for the treatment of Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). Both programs are currently implemented. For more information on these programs, please contact your Provider Relations Representative.

In 2005, the available research, clinical efficacy, and models of service delivery of telepsychiatry were reviewed. Telepsychiatry was recommended to the Counties (health plan) to consider as part of potential benefit coverage under HealthChoices programming. Telepsychiatry is an expanding service delivery model across the United States and is seen as an important tool in improving access to psychiatry services. Videoconferencing from satellite offices is typically linked to remote psychiatrists, whose availability is heavily clustered in urban areas. This program is pending and not yet approved.

For 2006, PAC completed an assessment of Buprenorphine, which was approved by the FDA for opiate addiction in 2002. It is a safe, effective and well tolerated medication for treating patients in outpatient clinic or from the primary care office. It has the advantage of being dispensed on a monthly basis and makes it possible for the patients to maintain employment. Buprenorphine has a low abuse potential, good safety profile in overdose and is less likely to be diverted. There are remarkable community advantages for substitution medication treatment of opiate addiction including a decrease in overdoses, delinquencies, medical complications, and AIDS risk. Despite being available for four years with support from new federal laws, there are still system barriers to accessing this treatment in Pennsylvania and other states. The Committee recommended buprenorphine for possible reinvestment or other appropriate benefit approval processing.

In 2007, PAC completed a review of Assertive Community Treatment (ACT). ACT is one of the best studied, effective community based treatment models for SMI. It clearly reduces hospitalizations, improves housing stability, quality of life and moderately improves symptoms. The program is no more expensive than traditional care and is more satisfactory to consumers and families than standard care. The challenge is that it is not widely available to people who would benefit from it. PAC recommended ACT be considered as part of potential benefit coverage under HealthChoices programming under reinvestment or other appropriate benefit approval processing. A recommendation was also made that existing Community Treatment Teams consider pursue ACT certification.