Trauma can increase the risk of health, social, and emotional problems. Despite the high prevalence of patients with a past history of trauma, few clinics or Collaborative Care teams have a protocol for addressing it. These three tips can help clinicians safely and effectively discuss the trauma history of their patients during their initial assessment.
Resource Type: Handouts
Relapse Prevention Plan (Generic)
The purpose of a relapse prevention plan is to help the patient understand their own personal warning signs. These warning signs are specific to each person and can help the patient identify when their mental health is declining so they can get help sooner – before the symptoms get bad.
The other purpose of a relapse prevention plan is to help remind the patient what has worked for them before to help them feel better. The relapse prevention plan should be filled out by the Behavioral Health Care Manager and the patient together.
Example Psychiatric Consultant Services Contract
An example of a Psychiatric Consultant services agreement between a Community Mental Health Center and a Federally Qualified Health Center for organizations that may be interested in contracting for Psychiatric Consult services.
Please note: Contract language and template example is provided with permission from Valley Cities Behavioral Health Care.
Quick Guide on Bundled Payments for Behavioral Health Integration Services
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced Medicare payments for services provided by primary care providers for patients participating in a Collaborative Care program or receiving other behavioral health integration services. This handout summarizes the four AMA CPT® codes that can be used to bill for these services.
The payment structure may be used to treat patients with any behavioral health condition that is being treated by the billing practitioner, including substance use disorders.
Integrated Care Registry Requirements
The workflow to support integrated behavioral health care models such as Collaborative Care is a data-driven process, requiring the care team to actively use a caseload management tool. It is important that these tools are used in conjunction with the practice’s electronic health record (EHR) if they are not already built into it.
Patient tracking systems that support measurement-based care vary widely in their sophistication, functionality, cost, and scalability. Options include:
- A spreadsheet used alongside the EHR
- A caseload management application used alongside the EHR
- A customized registry build in an EHR.
The AIMS Center offers: the AIMS Caseload Tracker.
Developing Protocols for Suicide Prevention in Primary Care
Primary care clinics have a responsibility to provide effective and efficient suicide safe care that is accessible to all patients and staff. Developing a thoughtful and clear protocol and workflow for responding to suicidality in your primary care setting will empower staff to know how to act as well as help keep patients and staff safe.
The document below contains information about screening and identification, conducting risk assessments, response and follow-up to suicide risk, as well as several additional resources. This information is intended to guide primary care clinics to refine existing protocol(s) for responding to patients presenting with suicidality or violent behavior in a primary care clinic.
Telehealth Tips for Behavioral Health Providers
It is increasingly common for behavioral health providers to be asked to engage patients and conduct visits by videoconferencing or other HIPAA-compliant technology. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology defines synchronous telehealth visits as “two-way audiovisual link[s] between a patient and a care provider” (Healthit.gov, 2017). This handout includes some tips for behavioral health providers to consider when conducting synchronous telehealth visits.
Note: Due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, many payers have loosened billing, technology, and other requirements for conducting telehealth visits. Check first with your payer for updated guidance during this time.
Quick Guide on Payments for Behavioral Health Integration Services in Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published final rules that allow Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) to bill for Behavioral Health Integration services, Chronic Care Management, and the Collaborative Care Model.
Primary Care Provider Role Handout
Primary care providers (PCP) identify and engage patients in collaborative care, make diagnoses, and treat patients. This handout describes the role of the PCP in more detail.
Basic Coding for Integrated Behavioral Health Care
There are different ways to bill for integrated behavioral health care depending on your model and staffing. This handout gives a brief overview of basic CPT and Medicare billing codes for behavioral health integration and Collaborative Care.
Remember to check with your state and all payers to determine the necessary qualifications for the designated billing providers. Not all states or payers reimburse for every code.