The links between poor physical and behavioral health are well documented. A report in World Psychiatrynotes that patients with severe behavioral health disorders have a life expectancy up to 25 years shorter than the general population.
For years, health care experts have advocated integrating behavioral health care into primary care. The practice is being promoted by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and is covered by Medicare and some private insurance.
Medicare began reimbursing behavioral health integration (BHI) codes on Jan. 1, 2018. Some private insurers also cover BHI. However, BHI is still new territory for many primary care providers (PCPs). This is changing, however, as PCPs discover the important roleintegrated...
The term “behavioral health” encompasses a wide range of conditions related to mental health, including substance use disorders (SUD). However, behavioral health conditions frequently impact physical illnesses as well. Events such as life stressors and crises (e.g., job loss,...
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