A majority of patients treated in a primary care setting have a physical ailment that is affected by stress, difficulty maintaining a healthy lifestyle or a psychological disorder. Behavioral health disorders are also often under-diagnosed and need the support of a behavioral health clinician to achieve optimum treatment outcomes. Because of this, it can be both clinically and cost-effective, to integrate behavioral health clinicians into primary medical care. 1
With this in mind, Aetna has created the Integrated Primary Care Behavioral Health Program, a collaborative health care model offering coordinated and effective services for patients with mental health needs by integrating behavioral health practitioners into primary medical care settings.
The program is open to participating primary care physicians (PCPs) treating any Aetna member who has Aetna medical and behavioral health benefits, and offers:
Program details
Contact us to learn more
For questions about implementing this program in your practice, e-mail us.
Additional resources
Screening tools
Scientifically validated tools, such as the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9),
Pediatric Symptom Checklist, and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) can assist you with screening and providing appropriate behavioral health intervention within the primary care setting.
We're here to help
We recognize the relationship between PCPs and behavioral health clinicians is key to the success of an integrated approach. We can offer our support to connect behavioral health clinicians and primary care practices by:
1Integrated Primary Care: The Central Piece in the Healthcare Puzzle, 13 May 2008, www.integratedprimarycare.com