AmeriHealth encourages providers to improve communication between behavioral health care providers and primary care providers (PCP) in an effort to promote a cohesive plan of care for patients.

While communication between PCPs and behavioral health providers is slowly improving, there continues to be a large percentage of providers, both medical and behavioral health, who do not communicate about patient care. Information that PCPs may find helpful when they contact their patients? behavioral health care provider includes:

• How is he/she responding to counseling and/or medication treatment?
• How is this affecting any medical complaints? If there is a chronic illness, does he/she have increased symptoms during times of stress?
• Are there any special considerations regarding medication interactions? Has the patient had any side effects from medications?
• How can you coordinate appropriate tests to be ordered and results monitored?

PCPs must obtain patient consent to exchange patients? personal information and discuss their mental health care.

Please discuss with your patients the importance of having this information for their health and safety. When possible, provide your patients with a consent form they can sign, so they are informed of the information that will be shared and are able to express their written consent.

To obtain a copy of the PCP to Behavioral Health Provider Communication Form, as well as other tools and resources, visit our Worksheets, Form, and Guides web page.