Increasing access to behavioral health care: Blue Cross videos highlight Collaborative Care Model

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan recently completed a series of videos highlighting the Collaborative Care Model and Michigan practices that have been successful in implementing it. Over the past few years, a growing number of practices participating in the Physician Group Incentive Program in Michigan have adopted this highly effective model of care.

The case for Collaborative Care

Blue Cross implemented the Collaborative Care Model after recognizing the importance of integrating behavioral health into general medical care. In addition, Blue Cross had seen an increase over the past few years in the number of members who were seeking behavioral health services, including those who were having challenges accessing needed services. With Blue Cross’ Collaborative Care Designation Program, primary care physicians work with a team of medical and behavioral health care case managers, nurses and a consulting psychiatrist to care for the whole patient.

“Collaborative Care has been effective in helping address access challenges and getting efficient, effective care to patients in a familiar setting: their primary care physician’s office,” said Thomas Leyden, director, Value Partnerships.

Studies show that when behavioral health problems are addressed, chronic conditions can be better managed. And patients get better faster.

To view the videos

Click on the titles below to watch the videos.

Introducing Collaborative Care – Mental Health Care Within Your Primary Care Doctor’s Office: This video explains how the Collaborative Care program embeds mental health care professionals within the primary care practice, so that people can obtain services more quickly and directly from their doctor’s office. The care team develops a plan that coordinates each patient’s behavioral and physical health, enabling patients to get the help they need from one convenient source.

Conquering 20 years of anxiety and depression – Collaborative Care success story:  After two decades of struggling with anxiety and depression, a patient at Bronson Internal Medicine and Pediatrics in Kalamazoo enrolled in the Collaborative Care program and received mental health treatment from within the practice. Eight months later, she’s in remission.

Collaborative Care Fulfills the Surging Demand for Mental Health Services: In this video, behavioral health professionals with Michigan Medicine explain how the program addresses the growing mental health crisis.

For information about Blue Cross’ Collaborative Care Designation Program, check out this article from the July-August 2022 issue of Hospital and Physician Update.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.