COVID-19 Emergency Reforms in Massachusetts to Support Behavioral Health Care and Reduce Mortality of People With Serious Mental Illness

This article describes policy, regulatory, and payment reforms implemented in Massachusetts in response to people with serious mental illnesses that are at disproportionate risk of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. The reforms include: (1) ensuring continuity of care for individuals with serious mental illness during the COVID-19 pandemic and (2) supporting community-based behavioral health organizations.

Resource Details

• Population: People With a Mental Illness
• Geographic Areas of Implementation: Urban
• Topics of Practice: Policy Change/ Development
• Outcomes of Interest: Reduction of Health Disparities
• Level of Evidence: Emerging
• Tools or Materials Included in Resource: No
• Social Determinants of Health: Healthcare Access and Quality
• Outside of US: No