Because of growing enrollment in managed care plans, psychiatrists are finding it necessary to sign contracts with managed mental health care programs in order to receive third-party payment. These contracts often lead to complications and form a key area of concern for clinicians. The Psychiatrist's Guide to Managed Care Contracting helps psychiatrists make sense of the legal issues arising from their managed care contracts. In a step-by-step manner, this useful guide develops the framework for the crucial decisions that must be made and highlights the strategies a psychiatric practice can employ to shape the contract in its favor. It reviews standard contract provisions and the issues involved so that potential problems can be identified early in the negotiating process. The Psychiatrist's Guide to Managed Care Contracting also details the essential groundwork and preparation that should be completed before a psychiatric practice enters negotiations, including practice assessment, financial planning, marketing, and the development of administrative support. Equipped with this knowledge and advice, psychiatrists can negotiate from a position of strength and develop a favorable contract that ensures the survival and prosperity of their practice.