Point32Health recognizes that communication and collaboration among primary care physicians, behavioral health care providers, 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 entwined, patients rely on multiple health care providers working together to accurately diagnose and appropriately treat what ails them.
The role of primary care providers is integral to a patient’s whole-person care plan, from screening for behavioral health issues during annual visits, to coordinating care — as needed — with behavioral health specialists. At the same time, behavioral health care providers and prescribers can ensure that regular Metabolic Monitoring is conducted for patients in their care, especially those taking antipsychotic medications who are at greater risk for developing diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and obesity.
Coordinating care for a shared patient
Communication among medical and behavioral health care providers tending to a shared patient 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 Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Tufts Health Plan Commercial members
If you have patients who are 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 (18+) with Serious Mental Illness (SMI), our Behavioral Health (BH) Community Partners Program offers enhanced care coordination services including transitions of care support, health and wellness coaching, community resource assistance, and more. You can refer a patient to the program by forwarding their name, date of birth, ID number or MassHealth ID number, along with a short summary of the patient’s needs to [email protected].
Contact numbers for additional guidance
As partners 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.
Annmarie Dadoly,
Senior Manager, Provider Communications
Joseph O’Riordan,
Editor
Susan Panos, Ellen Gustavson, Ryan Francis, Stephen Wong,
Writers
Kristin Edmonston,
Production Coordinator
Kristina Cicelova,
Graphic Designer