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We are pleased to introduce a new short series of articles in Partners in
Health Update that is designed to explore potential barriers and
opportunities to facilitate communication and collaboration between primary
care physicians and behavioral health providers and to achieve optimal outcomes
for your patients.
Part 1 ? The importance of working together
Independence 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 care providers 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 he/she 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 behavioral 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 can express their written
consent.
To facilitate care between PCPs and behavioral health care providers,
Independence and Magellan Healthcare, Inc. created a Clinician Collaboration
Form, which can be completed and sent electronically or printed and mailed
to the provider. The form can be downloaded from our website or from the NaviNet® web portal
under Health and Wellness in the Administrative Tools & Resources section of
Independence Plan Central.
Magellan Healthcare, Inc., an independent company,
manages mental health and substance abuse benefits for most Independence Blue
Cross members.
NaviNet is a registered trademark of NaviNet, Inc., an independent company.
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