NC Psychological Association: a hit dog yelps
June 5, 2008
Dear NCPA/ Sally Cameron, Executive Director of NCPsychological Association:
Let's be clear here. Its me that has been critiquing NCPA. I don't mind being named. And my information is 'factual' also. It is at the level of someone doing the work, interfacing w/ the LME's.
I am all for us being able to work together. And I'm all for working quietly behind the scenes.
However, given how difficult it is for me as a licensed psychologist to even obtain authorizations to see state funded clients and given that no one from NCPA chooses to correspond on what seem to me to be pretty pressing issues, I have to resolve that being noisy will at least get some attention applied to the matter. For months, you seem to have not gotten any of my e mails but but I was using your correct e mail address. You told me, via e mail, that the Public Sector psychologists were 'busy people.'
A hit dog yelps and NCPA appears to be trying to defend its non-assistance to NC psychologists and by default, NC citizens needing mental health care.
There are other psychologists on this listserv who also back channel criticize NCPA.
You stated, Sally: "DIPP’s role within NCPA is to work on issues related to the private practice of psychology including problems with reimbursement, managed care, the State Health Plan, and other practice issues including risk management and practice management. Because NCPA is not a single issue organization, DIPP has taken very little action regarding MH reform, allowing the Public Sector Committee, Legislative Committee and other committees to address this important issue. "
1. The 'other' committee within NCPA, specifically, the Public Sector Committee, has never answered any of my e mails re: reimbursement/ public sector e.g., Medicare, Medicaid issues. No one ever directed me to the Legislative Committee and I have no hope that they would be any more helpful that DIPP or Public Sector Committee members.
2. If NCPA has been working with matters associated with mental health reform, then why are the most basic matters not addressed? These would include:
a. no more than 8 therapy sessions/ year for state funded clients regardless of diagnosis. This was stated directly to me by Marsha Ring, the Utilization Management Director of Western Highlands Network (WHN) LME. To engage with a client w/ the knowledge that this is all that there is----even though a Code of Ethics would defend the practitioner as being subject to these limitations----is potentially very risky.
b. Smoky Mountain Center (SMC) LME, the largest LME in NC, sitting with a policy that shuts out psychologists as associated with demanding that therapy fall under the Community Support Services (CSS) which require 20 plus hours of unpaid training, completely unnecessary for psychologists-----not to even mention the constant defunding of CSS across NC DHHS.
NCPA of course is not a single issue organization. However, NC mental health reform is not some itty-bitty issue that concerns only me. Moreover, what is determined in one areana becomes a guideline in other arenas. Eight sessions of psychotherapy over the course / year sets a tone for other managed care companies.
Show me the specifics of what NCPA has done. I can't imagine a poorer job. I can't even get anyone to correspond w/ me. What we have is this untethered defense of NCPA actions or non-actions.
I'll see you on Friday at 6 pm in Asheville. I would like to ask you to at least weigh in with the above 2 LME's, the only 2 in western NC, as re: these concerns and hopefully to be able, on Friday, to speak to these issues which affect western NC psychologists:
**severe restrictions of 8 sessions of therapy regardless of diagnosis
**requirement of CSS 20 hours unpaid, non-useful training in order to provide therapy. Therapy should not be under CSS which is at continual risk or defunding.
Thank you for entertaining my request. Pass this to any salient person.
I at least want to know what I can expect for NCPA to do re: protecting psychologists' practice which is given in the service of providing mental health care for NC citizens.
If you cannot intervened on behalf of NC psychologists, just say so.
Marsha V. Hammond, PhD
**********************************
associated e mail
Colleagues
The North Carolina Psychological Association values the working relationship we have with fellow mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse professionals as well as with others in both the public and private sector. In recent weeks there have been statements on this listserv concerning NCPA, including references to unethical behavior. We very much appreciate the comments and cautions from Drs. Schwartz and Bridges. I am posting this on behalf of the leadership of the North Carolina Psychological Association and it is presented in the spirit of providing factual information about NCPA’s activities.
David C. Wiesner, Ph.D. President North Carolina Psychological Association
The North Carolina Psychological Association has taken many actions attempting to influence the state’s mental health reform plans. This is a partial listing of actions the North Carolina Psychological Association has taken regarding reform of the mh/dd/sa system over the past 8 years.
· from the beginning of reform in 2001, NCPA commented on the state auditor’s report, and later on the hired consultant group’s recommendations, as well as on numerous versions of the Department of Health and Human Services State Plans. This includes comments submitted last year on the latest version of the State Plan. Some of these comments resulted in changes to policy. These have been available on NCPA’s website for some time.
0 NCPA has been involved, has participated with, and has monitored the established Legislative Oversight Committee MH/DD/SAS.
1 NCPA’s lobbying team has had numerous contacts with key legislators and DHHS staff on issues involving mental health reform.
2 NCPA lobbied successfully for full inclusion of psychologists (and other licensed mental health professionals) as directly enrolled providers in Medicaid. Prior to this inclusion psychologists were not recognized as independent providers by DMA.
3 NCPA has written several letters of concern with recommendations about the reform process to the Division of MH/DD/SA and to the Secretary of Human Resources.
4 NCPA leadership has met with and has been involved with Secretary Benton concerning MH reform. 5 NCPA had a psychologist representative on Secretary Benton’s panel looking at planning for state hospitals. 6 NCPA has written a letter to the editor (unpublished) of the News and Observer following their story about state MH reform.
7 NCPA has worked on various committees to express concern and provide expertise regarding specifics of the state’s reform plan (service definitions, definitions of target populations, etc.)
8 There have been several articles in various issue of The North Carolina Psychologist about various aspects of mental health reform. I would point you to:
· November December 2007 – Mental Health Reform and Private Practice – page 8 1 May June 2007 – Mental Health Reform and Best Practice – page 7
And Mental Health Reform: A Primer – Part 2
· January February 2007 – Mental Health Reform: A Primer – page 1
We certainly know that our efforts have not produced all that we wished that they could, but NCPA (as well as other professional associations) continues to provide thoughtful critic and helpful suggestions in the MH reform process. We purposely have tried to be professional and not go about bashing or blaming others. We have found that in some cases quiet diplomacy often is more productive than public outcry.
Having over 950 psychologist members, NCPA does at times hear dissent from some members. NCPA works through committees with leadership oversight. We welcome members’ ideas and suggestions, but know that as we use these ideas and make our plans and comments, some individual ideas may not be used, and some members may disagree with our approved action plans.
NCPA’s Public Sector Committee has been the committee that has been most involved with NCPA’s actions in regard to state MH reform. This is a dedicated group. In fact, they held a three-hour meeting this week to further develop some NCPA positions on reform.
In one posting there was criticism of NCPA’s Division of Independent Professional Practice (DIPP), implying that this body is not taking actions regarding state MH reform. DIPP’s role within NCPA is to work on issues related to the private practice of psychology including problems with reimbursement, managed care, the State Health Plan, and other practice issues including risk management and practice management. Because NCPA is not a single issue organization, DIPP has taken very little action regarding MH reform, allowing the Public Sector Committee, Legislative Committee and other committees to address this important issue.
We provide this information to inform and we hope you will conclude as I do that NCPA is acting ethically and responsibly regarding state mental health reform.
cc: NCPA Board of Directors Western NCPA President
Sally R. Cameron, Executive Director NC Psychological Association 1004 Dresser Court, Suite 106 Raleigh, NC 27609 919-872-1005 phone 919-872-0805 fax ncpasally@mindspring.com www.ncpsychology.org
Dear NCPA/ Sally Cameron, Executive Director of NCPsychological Association:
Let's be clear here. Its me that has been critiquing NCPA. I don't mind being named. And my information is 'factual' also. It is at the level of someone doing the work, interfacing w/ the LME's.
I am all for us being able to work together. And I'm all for working quietly behind the scenes.
However, given how difficult it is for me as a licensed psychologist to even obtain authorizations to see state funded clients and given that no one from NCPA chooses to correspond on what seem to me to be pretty pressing issues, I have to resolve that being noisy will at least get some attention applied to the matter. For months, you seem to have not gotten any of my e mails but but I was using your correct e mail address. You told me, via e mail, that the Public Sector psychologists were 'busy people.'
A hit dog yelps and NCPA appears to be trying to defend its non-assistance to NC psychologists and by default, NC citizens needing mental health care.
There are other psychologists on this listserv who also back channel criticize NCPA.
You stated, Sally: "DIPP’s role within NCPA is to work on issues related to the private practice of psychology including problems with reimbursement, managed care, the State Health Plan, and other practice issues including risk management and practice management. Because NCPA is not a single issue organization, DIPP has taken very little action regarding MH reform, allowing the Public Sector Committee, Legislative Committee and other committees to address this important issue. "
1. The 'other' committee within NCPA, specifically, the Public Sector Committee, has never answered any of my e mails re: reimbursement/ public sector e.g., Medicare, Medicaid issues. No one ever directed me to the Legislative Committee and I have no hope that they would be any more helpful that DIPP or Public Sector Committee members.
2. If NCPA has been working with matters associated with mental health reform, then why are the most basic matters not addressed? These would include:
a. no more than 8 therapy sessions/ year for state funded clients regardless of diagnosis. This was stated directly to me by Marsha Ring, the Utilization Management Director of Western Highlands Network (WHN) LME. To engage with a client w/ the knowledge that this is all that there is----even though a Code of Ethics would defend the practitioner as being subject to these limitations----is potentially very risky.
b. Smoky Mountain Center (SMC) LME, the largest LME in NC, sitting with a policy that shuts out psychologists as associated with demanding that therapy fall under the Community Support Services (CSS) which require 20 plus hours of unpaid training, completely unnecessary for psychologists-----not to even mention the constant defunding of CSS across NC DHHS.
NCPA of course is not a single issue organization. However, NC mental health reform is not some itty-bitty issue that concerns only me. Moreover, what is determined in one areana becomes a guideline in other arenas. Eight sessions of psychotherapy over the course / year sets a tone for other managed care companies.
Show me the specifics of what NCPA has done. I can't imagine a poorer job. I can't even get anyone to correspond w/ me. What we have is this untethered defense of NCPA actions or non-actions.
I'll see you on Friday at 6 pm in Asheville. I would like to ask you to at least weigh in with the above 2 LME's, the only 2 in western NC, as re: these concerns and hopefully to be able, on Friday, to speak to these issues which affect western NC psychologists:
**severe restrictions of 8 sessions of therapy regardless of diagnosis
**requirement of CSS 20 hours unpaid, non-useful training in order to provide therapy. Therapy should not be under CSS which is at continual risk or defunding.
Thank you for entertaining my request. Pass this to any salient person.
I at least want to know what I can expect for NCPA to do re: protecting psychologists' practice which is given in the service of providing mental health care for NC citizens.
If you cannot intervened on behalf of NC psychologists, just say so.
Marsha V. Hammond, PhD
**********************************
associated e mail
Colleagues
The North Carolina Psychological Association values the working relationship we have with fellow mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse professionals as well as with others in both the public and private sector. In recent weeks there have been statements on this listserv concerning NCPA, including references to unethical behavior. We very much appreciate the comments and cautions from Drs. Schwartz and Bridges. I am posting this on behalf of the leadership of the North Carolina Psychological Association and it is presented in the spirit of providing factual information about NCPA’s activities.
David C. Wiesner, Ph.D. President North Carolina Psychological Association
The North Carolina Psychological Association has taken many actions attempting to influence the state’s mental health reform plans. This is a partial listing of actions the North Carolina Psychological Association has taken regarding reform of the mh/dd/sa system over the past 8 years.
· from the beginning of reform in 2001, NCPA commented on the state auditor’s report, and later on the hired consultant group’s recommendations, as well as on numerous versions of the Department of Health and Human Services State Plans. This includes comments submitted last year on the latest version of the State Plan. Some of these comments resulted in changes to policy. These have been available on NCPA’s website for some time.
0 NCPA has been involved, has participated with, and has monitored the established Legislative Oversight Committee MH/DD/SAS.
1 NCPA’s lobbying team has had numerous contacts with key legislators and DHHS staff on issues involving mental health reform.
2 NCPA lobbied successfully for full inclusion of psychologists (and other licensed mental health professionals) as directly enrolled providers in Medicaid. Prior to this inclusion psychologists were not recognized as independent providers by DMA.
3 NCPA has written several letters of concern with recommendations about the reform process to the Division of MH/DD/SA and to the Secretary of Human Resources.
4 NCPA leadership has met with and has been involved with Secretary Benton concerning MH reform. 5 NCPA had a psychologist representative on Secretary Benton’s panel looking at planning for state hospitals. 6 NCPA has written a letter to the editor (unpublished) of the News and Observer following their story about state MH reform.
7 NCPA has worked on various committees to express concern and provide expertise regarding specifics of the state’s reform plan (service definitions, definitions of target populations, etc.)
8 There have been several articles in various issue of The North Carolina Psychologist about various aspects of mental health reform. I would point you to:
· November December 2007 – Mental Health Reform and Private Practice – page 8 1 May June 2007 – Mental Health Reform and Best Practice – page 7
And Mental Health Reform: A Primer – Part 2
· January February 2007 – Mental Health Reform: A Primer – page 1
We certainly know that our efforts have not produced all that we wished that they could, but NCPA (as well as other professional associations) continues to provide thoughtful critic and helpful suggestions in the MH reform process. We purposely have tried to be professional and not go about bashing or blaming others. We have found that in some cases quiet diplomacy often is more productive than public outcry.
Having over 950 psychologist members, NCPA does at times hear dissent from some members. NCPA works through committees with leadership oversight. We welcome members’ ideas and suggestions, but know that as we use these ideas and make our plans and comments, some individual ideas may not be used, and some members may disagree with our approved action plans.
NCPA’s Public Sector Committee has been the committee that has been most involved with NCPA’s actions in regard to state MH reform. This is a dedicated group. In fact, they held a three-hour meeting this week to further develop some NCPA positions on reform.
In one posting there was criticism of NCPA’s Division of Independent Professional Practice (DIPP), implying that this body is not taking actions regarding state MH reform. DIPP’s role within NCPA is to work on issues related to the private practice of psychology including problems with reimbursement, managed care, the State Health Plan, and other practice issues including risk management and practice management. Because NCPA is not a single issue organization, DIPP has taken very little action regarding MH reform, allowing the Public Sector Committee, Legislative Committee and other committees to address this important issue.
We provide this information to inform and we hope you will conclude as I do that NCPA is acting ethically and responsibly regarding state mental health reform.
cc: NCPA Board of Directors Western NCPA President
Sally R. Cameron, Executive Director NC Psychological Association 1004 Dresser Court, Suite 106 Raleigh, NC 27609 919-872-1005 phone 919-872-0805 fax ncpasally@mindspring.com www.ncpsychology.org
posted by Marsha V. Hammond, PhD at 2:14 PM
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