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Improving Psychotropic Medication Use Among Children in Foster Care

July 2019
Full report

Amerigroup Georgia works collaboratively with providers to reduce psychotropic medication prescriptions for children in foster care. From 2014 through 2017, the plan lowered the number of prescriptions filled per 1,000 children by 3 percent for all psychotropic medications and by 8 percent for antipsychotics.

Psychotropic medications can be an important treatment option for children with serious emotional disturbance, but overuse of these drugs in children can be dangerous. Concerns about inappropriate use of psychotropic drugs among children, especially children in foster care, have spurred federal and state efforts to ensure more appropriate delivery of care and services.

Medicaid managed care organizations are key partners to states and care providers in developing and implementing solutions. The Amerigroup Georgia health plan designed and operates a program to change prescribing patterns — engaging providers through data sharing, training, and consultation. The program targets potentially inappropriate prescribing or usage and intervenes to improve decision-making and care delivery.

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Topics

  • Overview of psychotropic medications
  • Overprescribing among children enrolled in Medicaid
  • Amerigroup Georgia’s psychotropic medication management program
  • Program results
Full report
Full report

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