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United Behavioral Health Information and Reference Guide

The Importance of Collaboration between Primary Physicians and Behavioral Health Clinicians

A substantial number of patients who have serious illnesses also have behavioral health conditions. For example, 20% of patients who have had a heart attack are likely to develop depression within 12 months of the event. Between 20% and 27% of patients with diabetes also have depression.

It is important to determine if a behavioral health clinician is treating a patient with these and other illnesses. If so, it is helpful to coordinate care with the behavioral health clinician. Coordination of care takes on greater importance for enrollees with severe and persistent mental health and/or substance abuse problems. This is especially true when medications are prescribed, when there are co-existing medical/psychiatric symptoms, and when patients have been hospitalized for a medical or psychiatric condition.

Communication between clinicians can also maximize the efficiency of diagnosis and treatment, while minimizing the risk of adverse medication interactions for enrollees being prescribed psychotropic medication. It can also help reduce the risk of relapse for patients with substance abuse disorders or psychiatric conditions.

Please discuss with the patient the benefits of sharing essential clinical information. We encourage you to obtain a signed release from each Neighborhood Health Partnership member that allows you to share appropriate treatment information with the member’s behavioral health clinician.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact United Behavioral Health at (800)817-4705. Effective November 1, 2006 crisis intervention and emergency care are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through UBH’s toll-free number.