Behavioral health recap: August's top 10 stories

From a sexual assault case to a hospital reopening , here are the 10 most-read stories reported by Becker's Behavioral Health in August:

1. A survey of mental healthcare professionals examined the state of the industry, with questions on mental healthcare challenges and opportunities. Read more on the report here.

 

2. A Kearney, Neb., psychiatrist was found guilty of misdemeanor third-degree sexual assault of a former female patient. Following his conviction, he was charged again after a separate patient came forward. 

 

3. Sabina Lim, MD, senior vice president of behavioral health safety and quality and system medical director of regulatory and government affairs at New York City-based Mount Sinai Health System, spoke with Becker's about why behavioral health providers need to be better reimbursed.

 

4. The CMS payment policy for next year increases Medicare payments for inpatient psychiatric services and limits pay cuts for providers. Read more details on the updated policy here

 

5. A report published by the nonprofit advocacy group Disability Rights DC alleged abuse and neglect of adult and adolescent patients by staff at the Psychiatric Institute of Washington is traumatizing and injuring patients.

 

6. Kingston, Pa.-based Commonwealth Health First Hospital is closing, along with its affiliated outpatient behavioral health services, on Oct. 30.

 

7. Anaheim (Calif.) Community Hospital reopened Aug. 2 as a dedicated psychiatric hospital after being closed for more than 40 years.

 

8. Ram Krishnan, CEO and board director of behavioral health EHR and practice management platform Valant, spoke with Becker's about why switching to measurement-based care is a win-win for providers and payers. 

 

 9. Wondermind, a multimedia wellness startup, nabbed $5 million in a series A funding round. The company was co-founded in April by Mandy Teefey, Daniella Pierson and singer/actress Selena Gomez.

 

10. President Joe Biden updated his national strategy to improve mental healthcare in the U.S. More details on the strategy can be found here.

 

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