Behavioral Health

Your behavioral health and physical health affect each other. That's why we have ways to make it easier for you to get care for both. Sometimes that means just going to one location. Other times, it means having someone working to coordinate your care between your behavioral and physical health providers. There are different ways to integrate your overall care.

What is integrated care?

Integrated care is when a member gets physical and behavioral health care and wellness services in one place. Providers that offer integrated care make sure to focus on the whole person. A team of health professionals work to empower members and improve their health and well‑being.

Why is integrated care important?

Studies show that people with severe mental illness die, on average, 25 years earlier than the general population. This is because they aren’t getting the health care they need for preventable medical conditions. For example, heart disease, diabetes or infectious diseases. Integrated care provides care for a person’s mind and body.

How does integrated care work?

Fully integrated care means that a member is getting physical health, behavioral health, health promotion and wellness services in one place. These sites are called integrated health homes.

What is an integrated health home (IHH)?

This is a one-stop-shop where a member can see both a primary care provider and behavioral health provider. Integrated care works because it takes away many barriers to care. Some of these barriers are:

• Having to go to many places to get care
• Telling your story many times
• Poor communication among providers
• At an IHH, the providers work with other health care
• team members. Other team members can include:
• Registered nurse
• Case manager
• Peer support specialist
• Supported employment specialist
• Counselor

Some IHHs can have other types of providers such as a pharmacist, nutritionist, recreational therapist or health coach. The IHH team will work with the member to identify individual health needs and create a plan to achieve health and wellness.

What types of services are offered at an IHH?

Primary care services
Primary care medical examinations and treatment, annual physical exams, along with medications, injections, basic lab testing and other basic primary care services are available.

Behavioral health services
Visits with a psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioner and counselor are available as well as case management services

Supported employment
Members can get Supported Employment from a Rehabilitation Specialist (RS). These services can help you build social skills and stay connected to the community.

Permanent supported housing
Housing and housing services are available to all adult members of Mercy Maricopa who have a serious mental illness determination and meet other eligibility requirements. There are also permanent supported housing services offered within our provider network. Services include help with daily activities, budgeting or solving problems with landlords.

Peer and family
Each IHH has a trained peer and family mentor. Their role is to help educate and guide members and family members through the behavioral health system.

Care coordination
This service provides you help in managing chronic health conditions, like diabetes and high blood pressure, through education and wellness promotion.

How can I get information and enroll in an IHH?

• Check our website for Integrated Health Home locations
• Call the IHH that you choose and ask them for information
• Speak with your case manager

What do I need to know about an IHH?

When enrolled in an IHH you must commit to seeing the PCP working in the IHH as well as the behavioral health team. You have choice and can dis-enroll from an IHH at any time.