Abstract
Financing and payment for behavioral health services influence the organization of services, access, and quality of care and are, therefore, essential to behavioral health services delivery for women. Historically, the USA has had a fragmented approach to financing behavioral health services, stemming in part from the historical perspective that behavioral health conditions, including mental health and addiction, are primarily moral or spiritual concerns. Although mental health and substance use disorders are recognized today as medical conditions, behavioral health service delivery is not fully integrated with physical health care. Today, behavioral health care is financed with public and/or private dollars and is paid for primarily through health insurance. However, federal and state funding continue to support some services. Managed care plan policies can facilitate access to quality behavioral health care. Efforts to improve access to and quality of care and integrate behavioral health services with physical health partly depend on changes to financing and payment models.