Chapter 4: Making the Case: Establishing the Value of Behavioral Health Integration (BHI)

This chapter outlines the various benefits of integration and explores how to present the benefits of integration for various stakeholders, particularly how implementing BHI is a worthwhile investment in the long-term for practices.

Resources

• Comparing Payment Models for RHCs and FQHCs: Compare the CoCM, BHI, and psychiatric CoCM in terms of requirements and payment for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).

Chapter 5: Assessing Readiness

Once you have made the case for integration, this chapter explores why it's important to consider long and short-term goals within the organization and key tips for assessing readiness in the process of implementing BHI.

Resources

• Organizational Assessment Toolkit for Primary and Behavioral Health Care Integration: Two Major Self-Assessment Tools: Access this PDF to utilize two major self-assessment tools: the Partnership Checklist and the Executive Walkthrough.
• Mental Health Practice Readiness Inventory: Access this PDF to determine level of readiness and identify areas where your practice may need to focus efforts.

Chapter 6: Establishing Metrics of Success

Integration of behavioral health care can begin (or continue) by finding the best next step that your organization, its partners, and each of its programs can and will take. Keep in mind that any action towards integration, no matter how small, can have significant impact.

Resources

• Organizational Assessment Toolkit for Primary and Behavioral Health Care Integration (PDF): Two Major Benchmarking Tools: Access this PDF to utilize two major benchmarking tools: the Administrative Readiness Tool (ART) for Primary Health Behavioral Health Integration, and the COMPASS-Primary Health and Behavioral Health.

Chapter 7: Aligning the Team

See how important everyone on the team is to effective integration and the potential responsibilities each care team member may have. In a physician-led, team-based behavioral health model of care, the entire team works together to provide collaborative care to patients.

Resources

• Identifying National Resources: This link contains additional resources and helplines available to physicians and patients.
• Identifying Local Resources: Through Findhelp.org, information regarding locating and accessing local behavioral health resources is provided by entering only a zip code or location.

With an increased number of people reporting worsening mental health in recent years, it is imperative that people are aware of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) telephone program.

People experiencing a suicidal, substance use, and/or mental health crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress can call, chat or text 988, and speak to trained crisis counselors. The national hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The previous National Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-8255) will continue to be operational and route calls to 988 indefinitely.