NorthSTAR

NorthSTAR provides behavioral healthcare for residents of Collin, Dallas, Ellis, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro and Rockwall counties.

This innovative ground breaking program improves consumer access and choice. It eliminates the confusion consumers traditionally have faced when seeking behavioral health services, and it increases the efficiency and effectiveness of the entire service delivery system. Prior to NorthSTAR's inception, state and local agencies independently funded mental health and/or chemical dependency services, resulting in a fragmented service delivery system.

NorthSTAR changed that. Enrollees of NorthSTAR can receive clinically necessary mental health and/or substance abuse/chemical dependency services through the NorthSTAR program. Eligibility for the program is subject to residential, financial, and clinical eligibility criteria.

NorthSTAR's unique approach includes:

• Blended funding - State and local agencies contribute wrap-around funds for a person's treatment. No longer does a person have to mine the various agencies and departments to receive services.
• Integrated services - Mental health and chemical dependency treatment are coordinated under behavioral health, allowing integrated treatment in a single system of care.
• Care management - Individuals receive the proper amount of cost-efficient care.
• Data-based decision support - A modern data warehouse and decision support software is used to evaluate and manage the system of care.
• Behavioral Health Organization - Services are provided via a fully capitated contract with a licensed behavioral health organization.
• NorthSTAR Quality Monitoring Strategies (file size = 65K)
• NorthSTAR State Fiscal Year 2005-2007, 1915(b) Waiver

NorthSTAR Staff

Last Updated September 20, 2006