Is psychotherapy ever medically necessary?

Journal/Book: Psychiatr Services. 1996; 47: 1400 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005. Amer Psychiatric Association. 966-970.

Abstract: In this issue, two views of the appropriate use of psychotherapy in a managed care system are presented. In the first article, beginning on this page, Michael J. Bennett, M.D., highlights characteristics of emerging models of care, especially those encountered in managed systems, and the traditional models that they are replacing. He describes three circumstances under which psychotherapy can be deemed medically necessary. In the second article, beginning on page 971, Daniel B. Borenstein, M.D., argues that concepts such as medical necessity can be used to limit essential treatments, including long-term psychotherapy, and that until carefully constructed outcome studies demonstrate that there are no adverse consequences of cost-based constraints on established psychiatric treatments, such constraints are not acceptable.

Note: Article MJ Bennett, 11 Dumbarton Rd, Belmont, MA 02178 USA

Keyword(s): UNITED-STATES; ADDICTIVE-DISORDERS; NECESSITY; SERVICES; MODEL

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