A Menu of Integrated Behavioral Health Options

Abstract

Integrated behavioral health programs require a different approach to healthcare delivery. This includes changes in coding and billing, clinical skill sets, medical record documentation, and team-based approaches to patient healthcare. There is a gap in mental health training in the philosophy of integrated care, population health concepts, medical home model, and the Triple Aim. Explicit respecialization training is required for most mental healthcare professionals. Choosing a model of integrated mental health is essential, with five formal models to consider. These models have clear, uniform training standards and increased likelihood of finding the right behavioral health providers for the program. All models can use clinical outcome instruments to gauge patient progress.