We have the opportunity to build and shape a healthcare industry that focuses on creating an integrated experience that is more cohesive and more patient-centered. And, in this approach, behavioral and physical health are addressed together because they are intrinsically linked.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 42% of cancer patients, 27% of diabetes patients and 17% of cardiovascular patients also have depression. Similarly, stress and anxiety can cause a rise in blood sugar, leading to physical health conditions like diabetes.
The associates at Carelon Behavioral Health, a division within Carelon, are committed to doing our part to help people address their complex health conditions, which includes dealing with both chronic conditions and mental health at the same time and happens when treating conditions such as substance use disorder.
This integrated approach delivers the right care at the right time, giving people access to the full continuum of whole health services. This approach includes:
- Leveraging data and predictive modeling to identify at-risk individuals and connect them to behavioral, mental and physical health treatment programs based on their specific needs. This targeted approach increases the likelihood of improved outcomes.
- Removing barriers to social drivers of health by identifying members in need and connecting them to resources to address housing, transportation, food security and other needs that positively impact a person’s health and well-being.
- Addressing population-specific needs through integrated programs around areas such as maternal care, cardiac care and eating disorders. These tailored programs provide interventions that meet the specific needs of these populations.
- Providing rapid access to medical management, therapy and community-based services that complement therapy via in-person and virtual treatment options as well as access to well-being and self-directed care resources.
Integrated services—along with intervention—are especially vital in treating substance use disorder. Like diabetes or asthma, substance use disorders are chronic illnesses that impact every aspect of a person’s life and require integrated care and support. Treatment must also be highly individualized and holistic.
Our Changing Pathways program encourages medications for opioid use disorder—accompanied by individual patient education, peer support, provider consultation and data-based quality management assistance.
Using medications to treat opioid use disorder represents a consequential practice shift as it involves using a modified version of the drug to treat the disorder, rather than entirely stopping use of the drug. When physical medical treatment is integrated with social and behavioral support to address an individual’s whole health, outcomes improve.
The program’s first 18 months showed promising results: Nearly half (41%) of engaged participants adhered to the medication approach for the three-month period following discharge. And individuals who remained adherent to the program’s medication regimen for 90 days following discharge experienced a 74% reduction in overdose rate. These results represent valuable real-world evidence that integrated programs can truly make an impact.
At Carelon, we will continue to develop and implement these types of programs because they take a holistic approach to healthcare. When provider teams work collaboratively to keep the patient at the center of treatment planning and care delivery, we can ultimately enhance people’s overall healthcare journey and improve their health outcomes.
Peter Haytaian is the executive vice president of Elevance Health and president of Carelon. Glenn MacFarlane is president of Carelon Behavioral Health.