Two health plans share their experiences implementing Collaborative Care in a recent article in Psychiatric News.
News & Updates
30 Nov 2021
Payors Train PCPs to Treat Mental Health in House
October 3, 2021
Seattle Times
On Sept. 10, U.S. Reps. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) and Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX) introduced bipartisan legislation that supports the implementation of Collaborative Care in the U.S.. This comes at an important time because 4 in 10 U.S. adults report symptoms of depression or anxiety, and 1 in 10 say they have seriously considered suicide.
A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry shows that Collaborative Care (CoCM) for bipolar disorder and/or PTSD is just as effective as treatment provided by a psychiatrist and psychologist. Both Collaborative Care and specialty mental health care were delivered by telemedicine to patients in federally qualified health centers. As stated in the article, “Patients in both groups experienced large and clinically meaningful improvements from baseline to 12 months.”
As the pandemic heightens the demand for mental healthcare, experts are pushing for the adoption of scalable, evidence-based integrated care models like Collaborative Care. An article in Psychiatric News states that "CoCM is the only model that bundles all integrated services - including the psychiatric case review and recommendations - and is reimbursed by insurance; it is also the model with the most extensive evidence base for improved outcomes." Read the article here.
02/2021
This updated resource from the AIMS Center guides organizations through developing thoughtful and clear suicide prevention protocols in primary care settings. The document includes principles to consider, essential elements of a suicide prevention protocol, and supporting resources, toolkits, and handouts to aid staff and providers in their response plans.
A new study published in Health Affairs collected data on depression outcomes from 135 primary care clinics with Collaborative Care programs. This study is the largest survey of Collaborative Care programs to date, and shows that clinics receiving ongoing implementation support, such as coaching from the AIMS Center, are almost twice as likely to achieve better depression outcomes.
10/21/2020
JAMA Psychiatry
The COVID-19 pandemic poses unique (and reinforces long-standing) barriers to mental health access; yet, the demand for mental health services continues to increase. The Collaborative Care model (CoCM) offers a way to more efficiently leverage mental health expertise over broader service areas and patient populations, while utilizing the clinical reach and established telemedicine programs in primary care settings. This article published in JAMA Psychiatry further outlines the needs for and benefits of CoCM in the COVID-19 era.
January 2020
Read more on the proven effectiveness of Collaborative Care in rural primary clinics serving primarily AI/AN patients.
Poll suggests increased need for mental health services, experts recommend CoCM
January, 2020
After training with the AIMS Center, Columbia County Health System in Dayton, WA has built a robust behavioral health program that makes resourceful use of telepsychiatry. Read more about the care model and barriers to behavioral health access in rural communities.