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Les Ruthven, Ph.D.
President and C.E.O.
Managed Care the PMHM
Way...
PMHM employs a
system we call Professionally Guided CareSM,
utilizing doctoral psychologists to review, assess,
and direct covered members through treatment
provided by our National Provider Network. We
believe that the training, experience and diagnostic
ability of the initial reviewer is what sets us
apart from the behavioral managed care industry.
While the quality of care and utilization increase,
behavioral health benefit costs decrease an average
of 50% in the first year of services because of the
PMHM difference.
PMHM's History
In 1987, neuropsychologist Les Ruthven, Ph.D.,
founded PMHM with the goal of arranging the delivery
of more effective behavioral health and substance
abuse treatment in a cost-efficient manner. PMHM
created Professionally Guided CareSM
in which senior-level staff psychologists conduct
triage for individuals accessing services and for
hospitals wanting to certify admissions. The
psychologists guide, arrange and authorize services
and act as case managers throughout the episode of
treatment. Current clients praise PMHM because its
results demonstrate that excellent care can lead to
cost reductions.
Like our trained triage professionals for telephonic
EAP and benefit plan services, PMHM's 16,000
providers in 50 states and Puerto Rico have
qualifications above the industry standard. The
network consists of psychologists, psychiatrists,
clinical social workers and licensed chemical
dependency counselors. Doctoral professionals have
treated 69% of all PMHM referred patients since our
founding. Because PMHM considers itself a
provider-friendly firm that recognizes providers'
rights, we again exceed the industry standard by
utilizing a peer of the provider delivering care in
the role of case manager.
Since the initial request for behavioral health
management services by a Wichita hospital spurred
the creation of PMHM, the client listing has grown
to include several employers with Fortune 500
companies.
Even with the growth
PMHM has experienced since its inception, PMHM
continues to be guided by a commitment to quality
treatment that addresses the legitimate needs of all
parties--patient, provider and payer.
PMHM's
Clinical Philosophy
PMHM was founded upon and continues to operate on
the proposition that the optimal way to achieve cost
savings within the behavioral healthcare arena is to
ensure that patients receive the most effective
treatment available to them. Accordingly, the most
cost-effective and productive care will be that care
which achieves the greatest results, and patient
improvement, within the shortest time. Although the
objective may seem eminently reasonable, PMHM
believes—and its experience has confirmed—that its
realization is principally dependent upon the
caliber of the clinical staff that the behavioral
healthcare organization employs.
At PMHM all case management services—including those
rendered at the point of access to care—are provided
by Ph.D. level Psychologists. Unlike other
behavioral Managed Care Organizations, PMHM employs the most broadly
trained clinical professionals in assessing and
referring beneficiaries to qualified network
providers. This superior level of clinical expertise
is combined with the demonstrated advantages of
continuity of clinical care, as the original Staff
Psychologist evaluator continues to monitor the
patient’s ongoing care throughout the life of the
clinical case.
PMHM has, therefore, created one of the highest
standards for clinical case management within the
behavioral health industry—a feature we call
Professionally Guided CareSM. This system is based
on the following principles:
Many health
problems and costly medical care arise from
untreated stress, emotional and family problems;
these conditions are best treated by highly trained
mental health professionals such as psychologists or
clinical social workers; Scientific evidence should
not be overlooked. Current research indicates that
most conditions can be treated in outpatient therapy
as well as or better than in inpatient therapy;
We believe the first rule of the therapist is to "do
no harm." The patient deserves a therapeutic
approach that is supported by scientific literature
and consistent with the standard of care recommended
by those who are experts in the field; Initial
assessment should be conducted by Ph.D. level
psychologists who are trained in human behavior and
are expert diagnosticians; PMHM’s staff psychologist
selects the appropriate provider and setting of care
to best meet the individual needs of each patient.
The same staff psychologist then monitors the
patient’s care through the life of the clinical
case; Additionally, the PMHM staff
psychologist is available for consultation or a
second opinion throughout the treatment process as
necessary; and PMHM’s review and management system
is user-friendly and outcome-oriented.
We have a variety of
information that may answer questions about our
services. Click on the links below to find out
more about how PMHM can help your company and your
employees.
Letter from the
President
Articles of Interest
Press Releases
Behavioral Health Glossary
Issues of Everyday Living
Quick Facts on Depression and Its
Treatment
Dr. Les Ruthven's
Book is available!
Discover the new book by
Dr. Les Ruthven, PMHM's Founder and co-CEO, about
the true science behind depression treatment and
antidepressant medication in:
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