Healthcare providers increasingly integrating medical, mental health care

Healthcare providers are beginning to bridge the gap between medical and behavioral health care, forming partnerships aimed at improving patients’ physical and mental health, and reducing costs at the same time (Source: “Bridging The Gap Between Medical And Mental Health Care,” Kaiser Health News, March 3, 2016).

Such holistic projects are underway in numerous states, including California, New York, Washington, and Florida.

“There has been a sea change in attitudes,” said Garrett Moran, who directs an academy on the integration of behavioral health and primary care for the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. “If we are going to bend the cost curve, the integration of behavioral health care and physical health care is essential.”

The increased collaboration is driven in part by the Affordable Care Act, which made more people eligible for mental health services and funding for improving coordination of care.