Policy Issues & Resources: Collaborative Care

Despite advances in the science of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of both medical and mental conditions, individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) served in public systems are dying 25 years earlier than the general population. Although individuals with SMI have higher suicide and accident rates, about 3 out of 5 die from mostly preventable diseases. Common causes of death among this population include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory disease, and infectious diseases (such as HIV/AIDS) due to modifiable risk factors such as smoking, obesity, and inadequate medical care.  The FY 2010 budget included $14 million for grants for integrated care projects.

Through legislative advocacy and practice improvement initiatives, the National Council consistently seeks ways to improve the collaboration of behavioral health and primary care services in communities throughout the country.  For more information, visit the National Council Resource Center on Primary Care Behavioral Health Collaboration.

Recent News  I   Fact Sheets   I   Reports   |   Official Letters  I  State Activities  I
Additional Resources  I

Recent News 

• In Case You Missed It: Slides, Recording Available for Webinar on Addressing Comorbid Conditions
• In Case You Missed It: National Council Issues Report on ACOs for Behavioral Health Organizations
• CMS Announces New Coordinated Primary Care Initiative

Fact Sheets

• National Council summary of CMS guidance on implementing Health Homes in Medicaid
• Fact Sheet on Community Care Teams
• Support increased funding for primary care and behavioral health integration
• Mentally Ill die 25 years younger on average
• An avoidable tragedy — the relationship of premature death and serious mental illness
• Medical homes and people with mental illness
   

Reports

• Accountable Care Organizations: The Tipping Point for Behavioral Health
• Behavioral Health/Primary Care Integration and the Person-Centered Healthcare Home
• Substance Use Disorders and the Person-Centered Healthcare Home
• Partnering with Health Homes and Accountable Care Organizations
   

Official Letters

• Comments to NCQA on Proposed Changes to Standards for Patient Centered Medical Homes
• Letter to HRSA on Primary Care-Behavioral Health Collaboration September 2007
   

State Activities

• Integration of Health and Behavioral Health Services Workgroup Report to the 81st Texas Legislature – August 2010 
• The National Association of State Health Policy brought their state leaders together to identify the most critical issues state health policy officials expect to face over the next several years. PCBH integration efforts and providing high-quality and effective services for populations with complex needs were identified as priorities for states.
• Washington State passed legislation to amend their state privacy law in support of primary and behavioral health collaboration.
• Integration — California Primary Care, Mental Health, and Substance Use Services Integration Policy Initiative
• Medical homes — a new definition from Colorado
• Medical homes — the Vermont pilot
   

Additional Resources

• New AHRQ White Papers: As part of the new Center for Primary Care, Prevention, and Clinical Partnerships, the Agency on Health Research and Quality features three foundational white papers on Patient Centered Medical Homes.
• NASHP Publication - A Tale of Two Systems: A look at State Efforts to Integrate Primary Care and Behavioral Health in Safety Net Settings
• AHRQ Report Describes Integrated Care Models Used in the U.S., October 2008
• Hogg Foundation Resource Guide on Integrated Healthcare in Texas and the U.S., December 2008
• American Heart Association Recommends Physicians Screen Heart Patients for Depression, November 2008
• Policy brief and full report of the RWJF Synthesis Project, a report on the importance of focusing efforts in health care on individuals with comorbid mental and medical conditions.

• The Milbank Memorial Fund report, Evolving Models of Behavioral Health Integration in Primary Care, summarizes the available evidence and states' experiences around integration as a means for delivering quality, effective physical and mental health care.  

• The Treatment Research Institute's issue brief, Integrating Appropriate Services for Substance Use Conditions in Health Care Settings, explores the challenges, opportunities, and lessons learned with financing appropriate treatment for substance use conditions inside primary care settings.

• The RWJ Synthesis Report, Care Management of Patients with Complex Health Care Needs, explores the potential for care management to improve quality of care and reduce costs for people with multiple chronic conditions.

• This brief examines the follow-up impacts of the Chronic Care Management program in Washington State, administered by the DSHS Aging and Disability Services Administration, on Medicaid costs and mortality for high-risk clients.