Integration of behavioral health support in primary care practices
This new pilot program embeds behavioral health clinicians in primary care practices to facilitate early intervention and improve access to treatment. Knowing that nearly 30 to 40 percent of primary care visits are for behavioral health reasons, community providers shared they were looking for solutions to better support patients. By placing our behavioral health clinicians in these practices to address mental health needs, it frees up pediatricians to focus on providing medical care. We currently have two community-based primary care offices participating in the pilot program – Children’s Mercy Pediatric Care Clinic on Broadway and Pediatric Partners (Overland Park and Olathe).