Improving Access to Behavioral Health Care
With 70% of primary care visits involving individuals experiencing mental health issues, integrating behavioral health into the primary care setting is one way to better ensure patients get the care they need.
Providers and provider groups can take steps to facilitate and launch their behavioral health integration efforts, lowering costs for health plans and employers and improving overall health outcomes for patients.
CQC designed a free, on-demand curriculum for health care provider organizations to integrate behavioral health services and primary care.
Take the first step toward integrating behavioral health. View this recording and presentation of a recent CQC webinar on behavioral health integration concepts and models for provider organizations.
CQC Launches CalHIVE Behavioral Health Integration Improvement Collaborative
In July 2023, CQC launched the CalHIVE Behavioral Health Integration Improvement Collaborative, a three-year program focused on supporting California-based primary care practices as they integrate behavioral health services. Participants are comprised of nine provider organizations from across the state that provide care in aggregate for 500,000 patients.
Multi-Payer Alignment Blueprint:
A Guide for Applying Engagement
Strategies to Achieve Multi-Payer Alignment
The Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network’s Multi-Payer Alignment Blueprint provides a guide for applying engagement strategies to achieve multi-payer alignment.
The blueprint features two initiatives from CQC – the California Advanced Primary Care Initiative (page 44) and the Practice Transformation Initiative (page 66). These two programs offer examples of how the collective action of payers can scale and accelerate impact through practice transformation and payment.
CQC Holds First Regional Convening in Sacramento
CQC held its first regional convening last week at Covered California's offices in Sacramento focused on improving access to specialty care across the region and initiatives to improve health equity. Thank you to those who joined us for this important dialogue among stakeholders in Northern and Central California counties. By working together, we can advance the quality and efficiency of the health care delivery system by creating scalable, measurable improvement.
Key Takeaways
- Many patients are unable to access specialty care in California due to barriers such as provider shortages and lack of investment. While advocacy for greater investment remains crucial, a key pathway to increasing access involves partnerships, innovation and
education.
- WellSpace Health shared lessons learned from programs launched by the federally qualified health center aimed at increasing access for Medi-Cal patients in Sacramento.
- Health equity continues to be a high priority among health care stakeholders as the integration of community-based organizations and health workers increases.
- A need exists to align and solve how health care stakeholders can better partner with community services and improve data sharing to ensure health disparities are addressed and patient social needs are met.
Special thanks to Covered California and WellSpace Health!
Upcoming Events & Grants
California Data Exchange Framework (DxF) Grant Funding Available (9/1) : Qualified Health Information Organization Onboarding and Technical Assistance grants are available for signatories of the DxF's data sharing agreement. Round two grant applications are due September 1. View a recording of CQC's recent webinar and presentation for information on requirements and how to apply.
The CalHHS Data Exchange Framework (DxF) is California’s first-ever statewide data sharing agreement, aimed at improving the secure and appropriate exchange of health and social services.Virtual Learning Series: A Birth Center Primer for Hospital Leaders (9/9 - 11/13): Presented by Primary Maternity Care in partnership with CQC, this free series will help hospital leaders strengthen relationships with freestanding birth centers within their communities, as well as guide them in how to establish a new birth center.
Designed to operationalize critical concepts and tools from the Hospital Guide to Integrating the Freestanding Birth Center, each of the six learning sessions will highlight the work of experts who have led integration efforts across the United States. Register here.
Visit our website to access recordings, presentations and resources from recent CQC events.
Connect with CQC
The California Quality Collaborative (CQC) is a quality improvement program of the Purchaser Business Group on Health (PBGH).
