February 2019
Behavioral and Physical Health Integration Resources
The National Institute of Mental Health states that about 32 percent of adolescents and 19 percent of adults have had an anxiety disorder within the last three years. Almost 50 percent of people who have a diagnosis of depression also have an anxiety disorder. People who have one or both illnesses have proven more likely to be seen in an Emergency Department (ED) and have increased health care costs.
One of the reasons for the increase in preventable ED visits and hospital admissions is a lack of primary care follow-up and medication monitoring by practitioners. Collaboration among primary care physicians (PCPs) and behavioral health providers is important in the delivery of quality patient care. Our aim at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) is to improve the integration of care between physical and behavioral health.
BCBSTX wants to ensure that our members are receiving:
- Preventive and follow-up care
- Coordination of services and care
- Prescription drugs
- Necessary behavioral health referrals
Benefits of Collaboration
PCPs and behavioral health providers who work together can help decrease preventable ED visits and hospital admissions by:
- Ensuring members complete their preventive care visits
- Coordaining care with each other and Magellan Healthcare®
- Becoming knowledgeable of referrals, pharmacies, service coordination and behavioral health resources
- Providing follow-up care as necessary
Behavioral Health Resources for Medical Providers
Below are a variety resources to aid in closing the collaboration gap between PCPs and behavioral health providers:
Texas Health Steps (THSteps)
Information on anticipatory guidance for mental health screenings, questionnaires to use during THSteps checkups and other resources that may be beneficial to your practice.
THSteps Continuing Education
Free online classes to learn how to best coordinate patients’ behavioral health needs.
Behavioral Health Toolkit
Magellan's resource for PCPs coordinating patients’ behavioral health needs.
Clinical Practice Guidelines
Magellan's clinical practice guidelines and supporting resources for 10 behavioral health conditions.
Screening Tools
Magellan's helpful self-assessments and screening tools you can use with your patients.
Contact Information
Magellan: 1-800-327-7390
BCBSTX Medical Management: 1-800-462-3275
BCBSTX STAR Kids Service Coordination: 1-877-301-4394
Texas Health and Human Services: Mentalhealthtx.org
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) contracts with Magellan Behavioral Health, Inc. (“Magellan”), an independent company, to administer BCBSTX’s managed mental health program.