WASHINGTON, D.C. – (June 14, 2023) – Mental health care is an important part of a person’s overall health and well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic clearly demonstrated that mental health is everyone’s issue—children, adolescents, and adults, and the need for services has strained capacity. Research released today by AHIP affirms that integrating behavioral health into other care settings is one important way we can work together to increase access for patients.
“Americans of all ages need access to mental health support whether for prevention, treatment, recovery, or ongoing wellness,” said Matt Eyles, AHIP President and CEO. “That’s why health insurance providers are helping patients get the care they need by expanding access to telehealth appointments, integrating mental health support into primary care visits, and working to expand capacity.”
The AHIP study examined the Collaborative Care Model (CoCM), an evidence-based model which adds two key components to primary care – care management and psychiatric consultation. AHIP evaluated the use and payments of CoCM and behavioral health integration (BHI) codes between 2018 and 2021, and found that use of the codes is – which indicates that more Americans are getting access to mental health care through physical health care settings.
Other key highlights from the study:
- Together, employer-provided coverage and individual market plans increased payments for the CoCM and BHI codes in 2018-2021 by an average of 18%.
- Providers’ use of these codes in these commercial markets increased significantly from 2018 to 2021 - on average, they were used 19 times more frequently in 2021.
- Commercial-market payments for the CoCM and BHI codes in 2018 and 2021 were significantly higher than Medicare payments.
AHIP’s research also shows that despite widespread agreement that behavioral health is critical to effective, whole-person care, uptake of collaborative care among clinicians has been relatively slow. There are signs, however, that indicate integration of mental and physical health care is increasing. An AHIP issue brief on integrating behavioral health and primary care suggests some reasons why – including greater awareness of codes, the evidence of the success of integrated care, primary care physicians taking on behavioral health care, and legislative efforts to promote integrated behavioral health.
“Health insurance providers and clinicians are working together in more collaborative care models to improve access and meet patients where they are,” Eyles noted. “We’ve made progress. And we are committed to continuing this work to further integrate mental health into patients’ overall health.”
Click here to read the AHIP study
Click here to read the AHIP issue brief: Integrating Behavioral Health and Primary Care
Click here to read A Vision for Improved Mental Health Care Access for Every American
Click here to read AHIP’s Board of Directors Statement of Commitment
About AHIP
AHIP is the national association whose members provide health care coverage, services, and solutions to hundreds of millions of Americans every day. We are committed to market-based solutions and public-private partnerships that make health care better and coverage more affordable and accessible for everyone. Visit www.ahip.org to learn how working together, we are Guiding Greater Health.