The Integration of Health and Behavioral Health Services Workgroup has published their report to the 81st Legislation which includes 9 recommendations. Below is a copy of the executive summary and a link to the complete report immediately follows.
Executive Summary
House Bill 2196, 81st Legislature, Regular Session, 2009, directed the Executive Commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission to convene a workgroup that would recommend best practices in policy, training and service delivery for the promotion of healthcare integration in Texas. The workgroup actively studied and deliberated on the merits and barriers to healthcare integration, and found that while the integration of these services is a laudable goal, work is needed to overcome impediments stemming from the historical separation of health and behavioral health services.
Although public and private healthcare service delivery systems have separated these services, there is an inherent interconnectivity between physical health and behavioral health needs. Integrated health care seeks to address this situation by taking into account the impact of behavioral health on physical health, as well as the impact of physical health on behavioral health. Research demonstrates positive outcomes for consumers obtaining integrated care, and suggests integration could potentially result in long‐term cost‐savings. Although various approaches exist for integrating care, all emphasize greater collaboration and coordination between healthcare systems and providers. Moreover, the most successful integration endeavors result from effective planning developed at the local level.
The issues hindering the advancement of integrated care are found in both the public and private sector programs. As such, strategies are needed to encourage integration in both these sectors. Steps should be taken to address both real and perceived barriers by systematically reviewing policies and practices, and addressing unintended impediments. Opportunities for better utilizing technology to better coordinate patient care across service providers should be evaluated given the potential to advance integrated care and reduce medical errors. Additionally, systems should be developed to provide support to providers and healthcare entities integrating their practices.
To this end the Health and Behavioral Health Services Workgroup (Workgroup) recommends the State enact the following policies to address barriers identified through the process established in House Bill 2196:
1. Create a State Healthcare Integration Leadership Council ‐ The Workgroup recommends the establishment of a State Healthcare Integration Leadership Council to advise the Health and Human Services Commission, the Department of State Health Services, and the Department of Insurance on matters pertaining to healthcare integration.
2. Create and support a focus on healthcare integration in Texas ‐ The Workgroup recommends the Department of State Health Services develop the capability to provide assistance to entities interested in or engaging in healthcare integration initiatives.
3. Support local healthcare integration planning ‐ The Workgroup recommends supporting local planning efforts that furthers healthcare integration to assist communities with identifying resources, addressing barriers and increasing collaboration among healthcare providers.
4. Address systemic barriers to healthcare integration ‐ The Workgroup recommends continued evaluation of statutory and administrative provisions, polices and procedures, as well as reimbursement practices, that inadvertently deter healthcare integration.
5. Encourage adoption of confidential health information technology and information sharing ‐ The Workgroup supports efforts for facilitating healthcare integration through the greater use of health information technology, while protecting patient confidentiality and consent, and recommends the Department of State Health Services provide guidance on the ability of providers to share healthcare information, and develop sample confidentiality policies and consent forms.
6. Develop systems for meaningful and functional outcome measurement and tracking ‐ The Workgroup recommends steps be taken to encourage the tracking and evaluation of meaningful and functional outcome measures as a part of integrated healthcare.
7. Support routine health and behavioral health screening during patient assessments ‐ The Workgroup supports routinizing health and behavioral health screening, and recommends steps for the Department of State Health Services to take to encourage greater use of screening tools among providers.
8. Develop policies to address training, continuing education and workforce needs ‐ The Workgroup recommends the Department of State Health Services engage in activities to meet training, continuing education, and workforce needs of providers and entities participating in integrated healthcare practices.
9. Implement integration efforts as part of federal health reform requirements ‐ The Workgroup recommends the Health and Human Services Commission, and the Department of Insurance assess opportunities for furthering healthcare integration in Texas as they evaluate federal healthcare reform and mental health parity.
The complete report can be viewed by visiting the following link:
http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/reports/2010/IntegrationReport_73010.pdf