Collaborative Care Management

Overview

Collaborative Care is a nationally recognized evidence-based model of care that specializes in the management of specific behavioral health populations in the primary care setting. The services are provided by a licensed Behavioral Health Clinician and include brief counseling sessions, touch points by phone, care coordination, and interprofessional consultation between the clinician, primary care provider and a consulting psychiatrist. The Behavioral Health Clinician works closely with the primary care provider in an integrative team approach to treating a variety of mild to moderate mental and behavioral health conditions.

Please note: patients interested in collaborative care provided by BILH Behavioral Services must be a BILH Primary Care patient.

How It Works

In the Collaborative Care program, the primary care provider and the Behavioral Health Clinician develop a treatment plan that is specific to the patient’s personal goals. The Behavioral Health Clinician uses evidenced based therapies that are proven to work in primary care, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and interventions aimed at problem solving and behavior activation. A consulting psychiatrist works with the Behavioral Health Clinician to advise the primary care provider on medications that may be helpful in treating the patient’s mental health condition. Patients can expect to meet with the Behavioral Health Clinician every 3-6 weeks for six months to one year, depending on their level of need and response to treatment.

Is Collaborative Care Right for Me?

Collaborative Care is best suited for BILH-established patients who can safely receive their behavioral health care in a primary care setting. Patients seeking support for common behavioral health concerns, such as mild to moderate depression, anxiety, or substance use may be a candidate for Collaborative Care.

How To Seek Collaborative Care Treatment

In order to participate in the BILH BS Collaborative Care program, the patient must be referred by their participating BILH employed primary care provider, who will explain the structure of the program and obtain the patient’s consent to participate. The primary care provider continues to serve as the treatment lead, and will prescribe and manage medications that may be recommended by the consulting psychiatrist. In order to provide the best care possible, regular consultation and care coordination between members of the treatment team is an essential part of this service. Collaborative Care is billed monthly as a medical benefit under the primary care provider. The billed service includes visits with the Behavioral Health Clinician and any time spent coordinating care. Patients may be responsible for any cost sharing, such as co-pays, for in-person and non-face-to-face services provided.

If you are interested in engaging in the Collaborative Care model of care, please contact your primary care provider to inquire about the availability of Collaborative Care services within your primary care practice.