Self-Directed Care in Mental Health: Learnings from the Cash & Counseling Demonstration Evaluation

Review findings of a study of outcomes of adults with mental illnesses in the Cash & Counseling program compared to those receiving traditional Medicaid services. Such individuals experienced higher satisfaction with their quality of life and with their paid caregivers, fewer unmet needs, no more injuries or other adverse health outcomes than other patients, no significant differences in total expenditures, and were able to successfully manage the cash option.