(KNSI) – Central Minnesota Mental Health Center is restructuring after insurance companies cut reimbursement rates for its services.
Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Steven Loos explained to KNSI News what’s at the heart of the problem. “It really boils down to the fact that there’s inadequate reimbursement for services. It’s no secret that mental health and chemical health services costs are rising to provide really high-quality services. And the rates just haven’t kept up.”
They acknowledge the cuts were a difficult decision and tried to impact as few staff and clients as possible. Around 45 to 60 customers lost some help from coordinators and were being directed to other community mental health agencies. He says there have been firings at other treatment facilities throughout the state.
According to CMMHC, they ended up laying off two targeted case management program coordinators, and two others decided to resign after the layoffs were announced. Another staff member was promoted to program manager. CMMHC is currently recruiting to replace two positions, so they will ultimately be down by three.
The other program affected was detox/withdrawal management. One staff member was laid off, and a couple of others had their hours cut from full-time to part-time. Loos told KNSI that, despite the cuts, everyone in need is still getting care. “We have 16 beds in our withdrawal management unit, and this weekend, we were completely full, which means we were providing outstanding care for clients who are withdrawing from substances and taking the first step in the recovery journey.”
The CMMHC noted that while these two programs were affected, many other services have seen significant increases. In all, the CMMHC employs about 250 people. Loos says as long as there aren’t any cuts to Medicaid, which covers about half the patients receiving drug treatment, there shouldn’t be a need for more reductions.
According to CMMHC, they’ve helped a record number of people in the crisis facility, and many of their services were still accepting clients.
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