Improving Behavioral Health Care for Children through Medicaid Programs
Effect of Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations on Behavioral Health Care Quality and Outcomes for Children
This project looks at how Medicaid programs called Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) are helping children get better behavioral health care in Massachusetts.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Amherst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hadley, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11125818 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many children face challenges getting the behavioral health care they need, even with current efforts to improve services. Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) are a new way healthcare systems are organized to encourage better, more coordinated care for everyone. This project will explore if these ACOs are making a real difference in the quality of behavioral health care and overall well-being for children. We will specifically look at how different types of Medicaid ACOs in Massachusetts are impacting children with behavioral health conditions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project focuses on understanding healthcare systems that serve children with behavioral health diagnoses, particularly those enrolled in Medicaid in Massachusetts.
Not a fit: Patients not enrolled in Medicaid or living outside of Massachusetts may not directly benefit from the specific findings of this system-level analysis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better ways for children to access and receive high-quality behavioral health care through improved healthcare system design.
How similar studies have performed: While some studies suggest ACOs can improve chronic disease care for adults, their impact on behavioral health care for children is largely unknown and this project aims to fill that gap.
Where this research is happening
Hadley, United States
- University of Massachusetts Amherst — Hadley, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goff, Sarah L — University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Study coordinator: Goff, Sarah L
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.