Behavioral Health
Behavioral health is an essential component of high-quality, patient-centered care, as mental health and substance use concerns directly impact patients’ overall well-being and physical health outcomes. Through its behavioral health integration programs, CQC is helping primary care providers address these needs alongside physical health, fortifying primary care to deliver equitable, whole-person care. Although three out of four primary care visits in California include a mental health concern, many patients are unable to access the treatment they need due to provider shortages, fragmented care and limited screening. Data shows that only 33% of patients are asked about mental health symptoms during medical visits, and even fewer receive the treatment they need.
CQC’s Behavioral Health Integration Initiative is bridging these gaps through evidence-based models that enhance screening, expand access to care and equip primary care teams to meet the comprehensive needs of their patients. Current programs incentivize screenings, offer targeted training and leverage patient-reported data to address critical access issues across the state. By aligning incentives and integrating behavioral health services, CQC is creating sustainable pathways to improve outcomes and ensure that underserved populations receive the mental health care they deserve.
Programs & Initiatives
Behavioral Health Integration Initiative
Read More about Behavioral Health Integration InitiativeMeeting patients’ mental health needs and considering social impacts on their health are fundamental to providing comprehensive, patient-centered and high-quality care.
CalHIVE Behavioral Health Integration
Read More about CalHIVE Behavioral Health IntegrationBehavioral Health Integration Initiative | CalHIVE Behavioral Health Integration is a three-year improvement collaborative supporting California-based primary care practices to integrate behavioral health services.
Behavioral Health Integration – Children and Youth Collaborative Learning Exchange
Read More about Behavioral Health Integration – Children and Youth Collaborative Learning ExchangeBehavioral Health Integration Initiative | The Behavioral Health Integration – Children and Youth Collaborative Learning Exchange is a nine-month learning collaborative for organizations experienced in integrating behavioral health services into primary care for children and youth.
Collective BHI Solutions
Read More about Collective BHI SolutionsBehavioral Health Integration Initiative | Alignment efforts that bring together stakeholders across California’s delivery system, including purchasers, health plans and provider organizations, to address specific pain points such as defining behavioral health integration and behavioral health integration financing.
Cal-IN Peer Group
Read More about Cal-IN Peer GroupBehavioral Health Integration Initiative | CQC is hosting quarterly peer group meetings for individuals working to integrate behavioral health care into the primary care setting in California.
Resources
Behavioral Health Integration Billing and Coding Sheet
Sustainable Behavioral Health Integration Financing: Successful Practices and Opportunities
Behavioral Health Integration Improvement Collaborative Curriculum
Past Events and Training
Cal-IN Peer Group
In partnership with the Collaborative Family Healthcare Association, the California Quality Collaborative is hosting quarterly virtual peer group meetings for individuals working to integrate behavioral health care into the primary care setting in California.