Collaborative Care is an integrated care model that provides effective treatment for common mental health disorders in primary care and other medical settings. The model’s approach combines behavioral health support with primary care, allowing your primary care doctor to work alongside care managers, therapists, and psychiatric consultants using shared care plans and regular symptom monitoring.
It’s designed for members who may not need traditional ongoing psychotherapy, but who can instead benefit from care management, brief interventions, and connection to behavioral health resources. By combining physical and mental health care in a familiar primary care setting, Collaborative Care can improve outcomes, reduce shame, and increase patient satisfaction. Most members complete the program within three to six months and successfully transition back to their primary care provider after achieving their treatment goals. This program is best suited for members with mild to moderate behavioral health symptoms.
How does Collaborative Care work?
Collaborative Care is for adult members, and eligibility is determined through patient health questionnaires. Once eligible, you can start a coordinated treatment program (for mental health diagnoses) that brings together primary care providers, behavioral health care managers, and psychiatric consultants to support your care.
Over the course of approximately 4 to 6 months, you’ll receive focused therapeutic support in 30-minute sessions held every 2 weeks—in person, virtually, or by phone.
Collaborative Care teams
Your care team will consist of:
Your primary care provider, the doctor or nurse practitioner who oversees your care plan and supports your treatment.
A care manager, a specially trained nurse or therapist on your doctor’s team who works closely with you to understand your priorities and help you put your care plan into action.
A psychiatric consultant, who helps your care manager and doctor make changes to your treatment or medications if needed.
Your entire team helps guide you through your care journey, but your Collaborative Care manager provides you with the greatest level of support because they work more closely with you. Your care manager supports you by:
- Helping you set goals for your mental health journey
- Sharing tools to manage stress, anxiety, or depression
- Checking in with you regularly by phone or video
- Working closely with you to help create and carry out your care plan
- Using brief, evidence-based counseling to help you manage symptoms and reach your treatment goal
- Making sure you’re taking medication as prescribed
- Adjusting your treatment over time based on your progress
This team-based approach to mental health care supports your overall well-being and helps you regain balance in your daily life.
