Point32Health recognizes that communication and collaboration among primary care physicians, behavioral health care providers, emotional health therapists, and other health care professionals are key to improving health outcomes, particularly for patients living with chronic physical and/or mental illness. With serious medical conditions and behavioral health disorders often co-occurring, patients rely on multiple health care providers working together to accurately diagnose and comprehensively treat them.
The role of primary care providers is integral to a patient’s overall care plan, from screening for behavioral health issues during yearly visits, to coordinating care with behavioral health specialists. At the same time, both primary care and behavioral health care providers can ensure that baseline and annual metabolic monitoring — screening for diabetes and elevated lipids — is conducted for children, adolescents, and adults in their care, especially those taking antipsychotic medications who are at greater risk for developing diabetes, abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and obesity.
Coordinating care for a shared patient
Regular communication among medical and behavioral health care providers working with a shared patient supports whole-person care and ensures that all relevant clinical information is available when developing a treatment plan. You can use our Coordination of Care Check List (or one of your own) to document, request, and share provider contacts and progress notes, along with patient diagnoses, medications, and other information vital to the treatment of primary care and behavioral health patients. To facilitate the exchange of information, you can request that patients complete a Harvard Pilgrim Health Care or Tufts Health Plan Authorization to Disclose Protected Health Information.
Resources for Commercial members
If you have Harvard Pilgrim Health Care or Tufts Health Plan Commercial plan members, they may be eligible for Behavioral Health Integration (BHI) services, which include specialized care management delivered by a dedicated team of health care professionals. Detailed information about BHI services is available through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services MLN Booklet on Behavioral Health Integration Services and Frequently Asked Questions about Billing for Behavioral Health Integration Services.
Resources for Tufts Health Together members
For Tufts Health Together members with significant behavioral health or complex care needs, MassHealth’s Community Partners (CP) Program offers enhanced care coordination services. Participating partner organizations have been designated to provide behavioral health (BH) services to certain members (age 18+) with significant needs, including those with serious mental illness and addiction. CP organizations also provide long-term services and supports (LTSS) to children and adults (ages 3-64) with complex needs resulting from physical and developmental disabilities and brain injuries.
As a resource for both providers and members, CPs work to engage patients in the program, support transitions in care, and connect members with community resources and services aimed at improving their health. Providers with patients who would like to engage in the program and may benefit from participating, are encouraged to reach out with the patient’s name, date of birth, ID number or MassHealth ID number, and short summary of their needs to [email protected].
Contact numbers for additional guidance
As a partner in the delivery of health care to your patients, Point32Health appreciates the spirit of collaboration and its role in providing an exceptional health care experience. Whether you are a primary care physician, behavioral health care specialist, or community health practitioner, our Provider Service Centers are available to assist you.
- For questions related to your Tufts Health Plan patients, call the provider phone number associated with the member’s plan.
- For inquiries on behalf of your Harvard Pilgrim Health Care members, call 800-708-4414.