Adding Better Mental Health Care to Primary Care

 ADHD in the News 2017-01-05


The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has adopted a new coverage policy for Medicare. On January 1, 2017, CMS will begin paying primary care clinicians separately for Collaborative Care services that they provide to patients who are being treated for a mental or behavioral health condition. There are other ways a primary care provider can integrate mental health services, but this policy change emphasizes Collaborative Care, including services from a primary care provider, a behavioral health care manager, and consultations with mental health specialists.