WMMHC working with budget constraints

Like many state-funded programs, the Western Montana Mental Health Center (WMMHC) budget is tight. And it recently got tighter when reimbursement rates were cut.

The total annual budget, backed by the state and counties, for WMMHC is $41 million. This year, the program saw almost a 10 percent decrease in funding; an estimated $4 million cut.

But that is not going to change the quality of service they provide. “I am very hopeful for the future of Sanders County,” stated Abby Harnett, Executive Director for Sanders and Lincoln County WMMHC. “There are absolutely no plans to cut any of the Sanders County programs!” she emphasized reiterating the county will continue to receive crisis and emergency support services.

To keep services in the county, WMMHC has gotten creative.

“We are looking at new and innovative ways of providing services to Sanders County, and feel confident that our current programs are sustainable,” she continued. The organization has partnered-up and formed new relationships and programs in efforts to improve metal health issues in the county while working with a limited budget.

WMMHC has “moved clients to other forms of treatment when appropriate.” They have also made partnerships within the agency to offer telemedicine services, ensuring clients receive required medications.

In Sanders County, WMMHC continues to offer outpatient therapy, psychiatric and medical services, Comprehensive School Community Treatment (CSCT) and crisis and emergency services. In continued efforts to keep these programs operating strong Harnett stated, “We are working hard throughout the communities to find partners for innovative and collaborative programs that will continue to serve our clients and the communities.”

Harnett feels the CSCT programs in Thompson Falls are “doing great, and we feel really good about providing these comprehensive mental health services to the students.” The program is so strong that WMMHC is currently accepting new referrals for the CSCT school-based program, as well as for outpatient therapy and psychiatric medication services.

In more populous areas, WMMHC now offers Programs of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) teams. Harnett stated these teams provide services to people with severely disabling mental illnesses in a “wrap-around” manner.

Unfortunately, some program areas have been less fortunate, WMMHC has been forced to close their targeted case management program and home support services for children. Likewise, offices in Dillion, Libby and Livingston have closed, and 60 people have been laid off throughout the region, according to Harnett.

“I have fantastic staff in all programs that work hard every day to make sure we are providing the best services possible to anyone who may need our assistance,” Harnett said.

Harnett hopes to see the “Governor’s health staff, Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services representatives and members of the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee come together with providers and consumers in the behavioral community to develop this system” of providing mental health services to Montana.

“We want people to know that it continues to be imperative that they advocated with the Governor and the State Legislators to move from a fee-for-service system to a capitated-value based purchasing system,” she continued. Moving to this system means payments would be a set amount for a specific time period and is thought to hold health care providers accountable for both the cost and quality of care they provide while reducing inappropriate care practices.

Funding from the state and county allows WMMHC to provide services for people covered by Medicare, Medicaid, Healthy Montana Kids Plus, Healthy Montana Kids (CHIP), most health insurance and sliding fee-based payment plans. Harnett added, “Services will not be denied due to race, color, gender, national origin, sexual orientation or inability to pay.”

A community-based mental health care center, WMMHC serves 15 counties in western Montana.