ValueOptions® Finalizes Illinois Mental Health Administrative Services Contract
Norfolk, Virginia – January 8, 2008
ValueOptions®, Inc., the nation's largest independent behavioral health care company, has been chosen by the Illinois Department of Human Services' Division of Mental Health (DMH) as the Administrative Services Organization responsible for assisting the Division in administering the state's mental health care delivery system. This new working relationship, called the Illinois Mental Health Collaborative for Access and Choice, will improve the Division's capacity to serve mental health consumers and their families.
ValueOptions® will be responsible for key administrative functions as DMH transitions from a grant-based to a fee-for-service financing system. Additionally, ValueOptions® will review care in an effort to improve quality and assure the appropriateness of the approximately $380 million of community and hospital-based mental health services for which DMH is responsible, including those funded through Medicaid, block grant and state dollars.
"The principles of recovery, resiliency, rehabilitation and hope drive ValueOptions®' public program design," said Barbara B. Hill, CEO of ValueOptions®. "ValueOptions® has both experience and documented successes in helping individuals nationwide achieve positive, long-lasting outcomes."
"We are excited that Illinois has chosen ValueOptions®," said Nancy Lane, ValueOptions® Chief Operating Officer, Public Sector. "We look forward to building a strong relationship of trust with the Illinois Department of Human Services/Division of Mental Health as well as with behavioral health recipients and providers statewide."
"As the nation's largest independent behavioral health company with public sector contracts in 11 other states, ValueOptions® has the knowledge and experience necessary to meet the state's requirements, strengthen our provider network and assist the state in providing for behavioral health recipients," said Lorrie Rickman Jones, Ph.D., Director of the Illinois Division of Mental Health.
The contract covers the 166,000 Illinois residents who use DMH-funded services and the approximately 200 providers who serve them. Valued at almost $28 million for a three-year period, the contract began December 1, 2007. The first year of the contract is a phased implementation. DMH then has the option of granting up to two one-year renewals.
To carry out these responsibilities and assure statewide responsiveness, ValueOptions® will operate an office in Chicago, which will be staffed with clinical and quality personnel, and an office in Springfield, Ill., which will house Provider Relations and administrative staff. In addition, ValueOptions® will hire Regional Liaisons who will live and work across the state to better support network providers and collaborate with regional DHS/DMH staff.
ValueOptions® has contracted with Anchor Staffing in Chicago, a certified minority business, to recruit and provide a number of full-time permanent employees.