The benefits of integrated behavioral health

Mental and physical health often work in tandem and patients may experience physical symptoms as a result of mental health disorders. Primary care physicians, as the main point of contact, must take a collaborative approach to help these patients with both aspects of their well-being. Focusing on mental and physical health is called integrated behavioral healthcare. 

What is integrated behavioral health? 

Integrated behavioral care can be simplified to represent a collaborative approach to mental and physical healthcare. The strategy is based on creating a holistic system where mental health professionals and primary care practices work together to provide a comprehensive approach to care. 

A study published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine states, “Compelling evidence from randomized trials supports the integration of behavioral health care and primary care in improving health outcomes, the experience of health care, and costs.”

When it comes to managing chronic diseases or severe mental disorders, integrated healthcare can help patients receive the best care, improving their chances of a positive outcome. 

The value of integrated health to patient care 

Studies show that integrated healthcare can improve health outcomes by allowing for early interventions and reducing the stigma surrounding behavioral health support. One study found that many patients preferred receiving behavioral health care directly within the clinic, rather than through external referrals.

An example of this is when a patient with a chronic condition like diabetes also experiences depression. The treatment of both conditions would be improved in an integrated setting with better monitoring of physical and mental health symptoms and how they relate. 

Facilitating integrated behavioral health

Improved technology for communication, HIPAA compliant email, allows for the creation of integrated teams of specialists in different practices. 

Through collaboration, patients with especially complex cases can receive the best possible care. With providers sharing knowledge and specific medical practices, the opportunity for equal medical development in the mental health sector makes it particularly beneficial. 

Integrated behavioral care and HIPAA compliance

Use of secure communication channels: 

• Primary care physicians in the US are bound by the need to comply with HIPAA, especially in communications that share protected health information (PHI). 
• Methods like HIPAA compliant email platforms are particularly useful as emails transcend timezones and serve a multitude of purposes from appointment scheduling to case discussions. 

Inform patients about how their information is shared: 

• Despite HIPAA’s permission to share PHI without patient consent for treatment purposes, as an ethical practice patients should be informed when providers share their PHI with other specialists. 

Allow for interdisciplinary collaboration: 

• Use health information exchanges (HIEs) to share PHI securely among providers involved in the patient’s integrated care. 

Use secure referral processes: 

• Only use HIPAA compliant channels to refer patients to behavioral specialists and mental health professionals. 
• Standardized referral forms with sections necessary for PHI can assist with streamlining the process. 

Establish data-sharing agreements: 

• When collaborating with third-party providers, ensure a business associate agreement is in place. 
• Share only the information necessary to comply with the minimum necessary standard set by HIPAA. 

FAQs

What is a business associate agreement? 

A business associate agreement is a contract between a covered entity and a third-party vendor outlining how PHI will be handled. 

What is the function of a health information exchange? 

An HIE allows for the sharing of PHI among different healthcare organizations. 

What is the minimum necessary standard? 

It requires covered entities and business associates to limit the use and disclosure of PHI to the smallest amount necessary.