Compared to privately insured adults, Medicaid beneficiaries have higher rates of substance use disorder and mental health conditions. These beneficiaries also have higher rates of premature mortality largely caused by physical health conditions. These patients would benefit from greater clinical integration of behavioral and physical health services.
In this session, staff presented a draft chapter for the June 2021 report to Congress on how electronic health records (EHRs) can be used to strengthen clinical integration and improve patient care. However, adoption of EHRs remains low among behavioral health providers. The chapter provides an overview of MACPAC’s work on clinical integration to date, and discusses how data-sharing can improve the quality of care for beneficiaries with behavioral health conditions. The chapter concludes by identifying mechanisms that could strengthen EHR uptake among Medicaid’s behavioral health providers. These mechanisms will be explored further in MACPAC’s 2021 – 2022 meeting cycle.