Using telehealth to integrate behavioral health and primary care
Telehealth can support the integration of behavioral health and primary care to facilitate comprehensive, patient-centered care.
On this page:
Benefits of using telehealth for behavioral health and primary care integration
There are a number of benefits of integrating behavioral health and primary care using telehealth. These include:
- Access. Integrating behavioral health care in primary care using telehealth may increase access to care for patients.
- Convenience. Patients may appreciate the opportunity to work with the same provider to access all their health care needs- both physical and psychological. Some of the care can be given using telehealth.
- Coordination. By integrating behavioral health and primary care, providers can better coordinate care. Telehealth may further help facilitate coordination of care.
Screening primary care patients for behavioral health needs
Adopting workflows and protocols for screening for behavioral health needs using telehealth can help your primary care practice better meet the needs of your patients. This can help you identify patients who may benefit from mental health services or treatment for substance use disorder.
Screening protocols include:
- Selecting tools to identify patients who would benefit from behavioral health services.
- Identifying how you will connect patients to integrated behavioral health services.
Conditions that can be treated through integrated behavioral health and primary care using telehealth
An integrated approach to behavioral health and primary care can support treatment for a wide range of conditions including, but not limited to:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Substance use disorder
Tip: Primary care practices can use telehealth to support behavioral health integration. They can establish screening protocols, expand their behavioral health referral network, and facilitate a “warm” patient handoff to a behavioral health provider.
More information:
Billing for telehealth — Health Resources and Services Administration
Pediatric mental health care access program awardee teleconsultation phone lines — Health Resources and Services Administration
Telehealth policy — Health Resources and Services Administration
Transforming access to pediatric mental health care with telehealth — Health Resources and Services Administration
Telehealth and Behavioral Health Integration — Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Integrated Models for Behavioral Health and Primary Care — Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration