Strengthen the link between medical and behavioral health care

People who are sick are often at greater risk for developing behavioral health disorders. Unfortunately, their behavioral health symptoms are frequently not recognized or treated. When such needs are not addressed, patients are likely to suffer higher morbidity and mortality rates.

It is essential that medical doctors consult and coordinate care with behavioral health practitioners. Doing so will promote both physical and behavioral health.

Consider the following:

• Stress is linked to six leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide (American Psychological Association, 2004).
• People who have untreated mental health issues use more general health services than those who seek mental health care when they need it (American Psychological Association, 2004).
• People who have heart disease and depression are up to twice as likely to die within two years of being diagnosed with heart disease as people diagnosed with heart disease only (Psychosomatic Medicine Journal, 2004).
• People who have depression are more likely than others to develop diabetes (American Journal of Epidemiology, 2005).
• Anxiety disorders have been linked with many physical health illnesses, including epilepsy, cardiac disease, asthma, and diabetes (Depression and Anxiety, 2005).

Care that is coordinated between medical doctors and behavioral health providers can lead to significantly better health outcomes and a higher quality of life for patients. Lack of coordination can result in harmful drug interactions, duplicate or unnecessary ordering of diagnostic tests and lab work, an incomplete clinical picture, and less effective treatment efforts.

To evaluate continuity and coordination of care, UPMC Health Plan tracks the rate of information exchange between primary care practitioners and behavioral health specialists. In reviewing a sample of medical records in primary care physician offices, the Health Plan found that 15.45 percent of those records showed evidence of communication between the two sets of professionals.

UPMC Health Plan strongly encourages medical practitioners and behavioral health specialists to exchange pertinent information about shared patients, with the member’s consent. 

For more information about behavioral health resources in your area, call Western Behavioral Health at 1-888-251-2224 or Value Behavioral Health at 1-877-615-8503.