Behavioral health service utilization: Trends in utilization within a patient-centered medical home for low-income...

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Primary Care Medicine
• Behavioral Health Integration

Background:

• Behavioral health issues are prevalent in primary care, yet underserved populations, including low-income, diverse children and women, often lack access to necessary services.
• Integrated care models aim to bridge this gap by providing comprehensive services within familiar settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the utilization of behavioral health (BH) care among low-income, racially/ethnically diverse pediatric and obstetric patients in an integrated patient-centered medical home (PCMH) versus traditional care settings.
• To identify factors influencing BH service utilization in different care models.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of outpatient BH services for Texas Children's Health Plan (TCHP) patients from 2015-2017.
• Comparison of BH service utilization between patients receiving care at an integrated PCMH (the Center) and those in traditional settings.

Main Results:

• A greater proportion of pregnant/postpartum women and African American and Hispanic/Latino children and women utilized BH services in the PCMH compared to traditional settings.
• Patients with behavioral problems or anxiety disorders showed higher BH service use in the PCMH.
• Increased utilization of services provided by doctoral-level psychologists was observed in the PCMH.

Conclusions:

• Integrated BH services within PCMH models demonstrate significant benefits for engaging traditionally marginalized populations.
• PCMHs are effective in improving access to and utilization of BH care for diverse and underserved patient groups.