Utilization Management (UM) in behavioral health plays a critical role in ensuring that individuals receive the right care at the right time while controlling costs. This panel will focus on current trends and approaches to UM, including clinical decision-making and care coordination; the patients’ experiences and impact on treatment outcomes; how data analytics tools are employed to assess patterns of care and ensure appropriate resource allocation and improve treatment outcomes; policy implementation and regulatory compliance; and addressing challenges related to equity and timely access to care delivery in mental health and substance use treatment settings. Experts will also discuss the evolving role of UM in behavioral health, such as the impact of telemedicine, value-based care, and integrated behavioral health models.