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AmeriHealth encourages providers to improve communication between
behavioral health care providers and primary care physicians (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
provider includes:
- Is the patient on any second-generation antipsychotics?
- Are there any special considerations regarding medication interactions? Has
the patient had any side effects from medications?
- How is this affecting any medical complaints? If there is a chronic
illness, does the patient have increased symptoms during times of stress?
- 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
aware of the information that will be shared and can express their written
consent.
AmeriHealth and its Behavioral Health Delegate Magellan Healthcare are
working on a document to improve communication between medical and behavioral
health providers. To obtain a copy of the current PCP to Behavioral Health
Provider Communication Form, as well as other tools and resources, visit
our Worksheets, Forms, and Guides page.
Magellan Healthcare, Inc. manages mental health and
substance abuse benefits for most AmeriHealth members.
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