Primary Care Digital Platform For Behavioral Health Decreased PMPM Spend

A digital platform intervention integrated into primary care workflows and electronic health records (EHRs), combined with care coordination services and structured support, was associated with an increase in outpatient behavioral health services use rates and a decrease in more intensive behavioral health services for Independence Blue Cross (IBX) commercial members, according to a recent study.

Over 18 months, members who received the intervention had 68% more outpatient behavioral health services. They were 35% less likely to make a behavioral health-related emergency department visit, and 43% less likely to be admitted for behavioral health-related inpatient care. Total medical costs . . .