Study to explore how behavioral health integration improves care for Medicaid enrollees

While Medicaid is the biggest source of mental health care in the United States, many recipients face significant challenges in getting the care they need. According to Dr. Amber Sabbatini, this is due to a lack of behavioral health providers in Medicaid networks along with fragmented payment and delivery systems. 

Community Health Centers (CHCs) are crucial in providing care to low-income and underserved populations. These centers are increasingly integrating behavioral health services into their primary care practices. This integration aims to offer more comprehensive care, addressing both physical and mental health needs in one place. 

Despite efforts to merge behavioral health with primary care, several barriers remain. Administrative issues and payment hurdles have slowed the adoption of effective models of care. Additionally, there is limited understanding of how well behavioral health integration is being implemented among CHCs and its impact on patient outcomes. 

A new study led by Sabbatini will explore how integrated behavioral health services function in CHCs. This is thanks to a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health. Using a combination of national Medicaid claims data and survey responses from CHCs, the study will aim to develop a new measure to track behavioral health integration more effectively, potentially without needing direct surveys.  

This research is expected to provide valuable insights for policymakers, helping to allocate resources more effectively and improve care for individuals with mental health disorders.