Although Atrium’s BHI is a free service offered to those experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety, Medicare billing for treatment has been a policy addition frequently discussed. Research shows roughly 10% of patients with depression receive appropriate mental health care when visiting their primary care provider, this new policy will have a wider impact on mental and physical health outcomes. This policy can reduce the total number of healthcare expenditures as well as reduce racial and ethnic disparities in quality of care and clinical …show more content…
(Valentijn, Schepman, Harbin & Druss, 2012) The concept of “other ambulatory services” as opposed to “core services” in the Medicaid benefit is a critical component of understanding the Medicaid reimbursement policy choices. Medicaid reimbursement is within the state’s control, therefore, the state can either impede or facilitate delivery of behavioral health in health care. Medicaid reimbursement should be an expansion of the new Medicare policy, ensuring all populations receive efficient and effective treatment. Most states limit the extent to which non-behavioral health services are included in the Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) benefit, states simply cover a very limited behavioral health benefit under their plan. (Medicaid behavioral health services are optional to most states under federal law) Another promising trend evident to effectively integrate collaborative care is the movement toward states recognizing same-day primary care and behavioral health visits as billable. Collaborative care is best achieved when both primary care services and behavioral health services to a patient during a single appointment. According