Listening to the Communities We Serve - Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky

Access to Integrated Mental Health Services

The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky conducted a series of workshops throughout the state to better understand the priority healthcare concerns of the Commonwealth.  Access to integrated mental health services was a top concern expressed in these workshops.

Facts 

  • Approximately 70% of primary care visits have a psychosocial basis1
     
  • Collaborative, coordinated, co-located and fully integrated care could serve as mental healthcare integration models1

  • 50% of mental disorders go undiagnosed in primary care1 and 26% of those with mental disorders have multiple medical problems2 
     
  • Co-location of mental & health services may be an ideal situation since primary healthcare is perceived to be less stigmatic than specialized mental healthcare1

  • Neither Medicare nor Medicaid will pay for two services (such as a physical and a mental health service) on the same visit2

  • Fully integrated systems reduce the cost of medical care referred to as the medical cost offset effect3

  • 76% of patients kept their behavioral health appointment if the primary care Doctor introduced them to their behavioral health Doctor compared to only 44% who had no introduction4

Leading Organizations 

Kentucky Association of Regional Programs (KARP) is a statewide organization made up of 14 non-profit centers that address mental health, mental retardation, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse issues for all kentuckians, regardless of ability to pay.

Kentucky Primary Care Association is an association of community health centers, rural health clinics, primary care centers and other organizations and individuals concerned about access to health care services for Kentucky's underserved rural and urban populations.

Kentucky Psychiatric Medical Association is active in legislation, continuing education, and public awareness on mental health issues

The Collaborative Family Health Care Association is a member driven collaborative organization that promotes a comprehensive model of health care delivery that integrates mind and body, individual and family, patients, providers and communities.

At the Behavioral Health Resource Center in Louisville, the behavioral health clinicians act as consultants for patient & provider and are members of the primary care treatment team

The Kentucky Psychological Association is a member organization of doctural amd masters level psychologists and psychology student affilates.

Mental Health America of Kentucky is a monitor of Kentucky's mental health delivery and judicial systems

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Kentucky (NAMI KY) is part of a nation-wide network devoted to improving the lives of the seriously mentally ill and decreasing the prevailing stigma associated with mental illness 

TheNationalMentalHealthInformationCenter is a clearing house for free information and materials on various mental health issues

Useful Links


Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky: Initiative Highlights

The Foundation’s Access to Health Care Initiative focused on the Integration of Mental Health and Medical Services began in 2006 when the Foundation awarded planning grants to six organizations to develop strategies for the integration of mental health and medical services. In 2007, four of these grantees were provided with funding for pilot implementation of proposed approaches.  In addition to grant support, the Foundation supports this work by convening leaders working to overcome barriers to service integration.  Efforts will continue to focus on addressing broader issues such as financing, information systems, and licensing/practice parameters that are identified during planning and implementation.   

References 

1Integrating Primary & Behavioral Health Care for Homeless People, May 2006

2Get it Together: How to Integrate Physical and Mental Health Care for People with Serious Mental Disorders.  BazelonCenterfor Mental Health Law, Jun 2004. 

3Care Integra Behavioral Health Solutions: Disease Management

4Blount, Alexander.  Integrated Primary Care: Organizing the Evidence, 2003

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