Chapter 3 - The Integration of Primary Care and Behavioral Health: Type II Change in the Era of Managed Care

Abstract

The chapter presents a presentation based on primary mental health model. The aim of this presentation is to propose an overall framework that addresses the important dimensions involved in developing, implementing, and evaluating integrated primary care behavioral health programs. The presentation discusses several aspects, including mental disorders, psychological distress and medical utilization, the medical cost offset effect, population based care and the underpinning of integrative care, primary mental health care and the service philosophy of integrated care, relationship of horizontal and vertical integration strategies, and several other related aspects. The model articulated in this presentation has been implemented successfully in a number of different settings. The next era of managed care will be oriented toward improving the overall quality of care to consumers by integrating services within fewer settings. This will lead to reconnect medical and behavioral health services in such a way that could dramatically increase the public health. The presentation mentions the need to develop a sound, cost-effective approach that can generalize across rural and urban settings, network and staff delivery systems, and a wide variety of health insurance plans.