Behavioral Health

Some accused of crimes need mental health treatment to go to trial; new treatment programs in jails and the community seek to reduce wait times and take a load off the state’s three psychiatric hospitals.

The payments came after Eastpointe Health Services was ordered to merge with Trillium, the audit finds. Thousands of emails were also deleted ahead of the consolidation.

North Carolina Medicaid managed care has finally been extended to Medicaid enrollees who also need services for behavioral health or intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Former employees of Jacksonville’s Brynn Marr Hospital allege that the facility engaged in patient record falsification and insurance manipulation. Their s appear to mirror past issues with the hospital’s parent company, Universal Health Services, documented in several lawsuits.

More than a dozen former employees say understaffing at Brynn Marr Hospital contributes to what they describe as a dangerous place for patients and employees. Hospital officials say allegations of violence, sexual assaults, overmedication and lack of mental health therapy are unfounded.

Tens of thousands of beneficiaries with extensive care needs are expected to be moved to tailored plans on July 1.

Increased reimbursement for psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, substance use treatment professionals and others may lead more of them to accept Medicaid — expanding access to care for state residents.

Mental health advocates are concerned that care for a fragile population will decline if Wake County and UNC Health can't reach a contract extension agreement to operate UNC WakeBrook, the mental health hospital in east Raleigh.

The 54-bed hospital will children and teens experiencing mental health crises.

Women live longer than men in many countries around the world. In the United States, women outlive men by an average of five years. Scientists have long…