APA's Division of Public Affairs and Office of Economic Affairs and Practice Management have joined forces to develop new consumer education pamphlets on managed care that members can distribute to their patients and others.

The new materials are designed to help patients get the best care possible from their managed care plans and to point out managed care practices that may not be in the best interest of patients. The pamphlets are being produced at the request of APA President Harold Eist, M.D., who promised them to members during his campaign for president-elect.

"Dozens of members across the country have told me they desperately need written information about managed care to help their patients make informed choices," said Eist.

The first pamphlet is a single-page flier posing questions that patients and other consumers should ask of their managed care plan (the flier is reproduced on page 16, ready to be clipped out, photocopied, and distributed).

"I hope that members will place copies in their office reception areas, include it in monthly billings or other mailings, even make copies available at health fairs," said Eist.

"Our patients need to know they have a voice in the way they get health care, and they have a right to demand a level of care that puts their medical needs first and protects their confidential medical records."

In addition to publication in Psychiatric News, the flier will be sent to district branch newsletter editors for use in their publications and placed on the APA Web site at .

In November APA will produce a lengthier pamphlet titled "Managing Your Mental Health Care." Modeled after recent Consumer Reports articles on managed care organizations, it will describe the major types of managed care plans, explain how to select a plan with optimal, patient-centered benefits, outline the rights of patients under these plans, and tell how to advocate for improvements.

"We plan to send one copy to every member of APA," said Eist. "Members may order additional copies from APA at cost or have the pamphlet reproduced at a local print shop.

"Health plan members themselves_our patients_can be a highly effective force in restoring health care decision making to the physicians and his or her patient."

(Psychiatric News, October 18, 1996)