Psychiatric CoCM: 5 Benefits of evolvedMD’s Approach for Patients

What you’ll learn in this blog:

• What is Psychiatric CoCM (Psychiatric Collaborative Care Model)?
• How evolvedMD’s approach to Psychiatric CoCM benefits patients

People want access to affordable, high-quality mental health care so they can live happy, healthy lives. But a therapist shortage, stigma, the rising cost of care, and other factors prevent many from seeking help. If they do find care, the traditional delivery model unfortunately leads to worse patient outcomes. Leveraging the enhanced Psychiatric CoCM, or Collaborative Care Model, in the primary care setting will improve patient outcomes and ensure they live happier, healthier lives.

evolvedMD recognizes the harrowing state of mental health in America and has the best solution to increase access to care and improve patient outcomes. If you’re a Medical Director, Practice Manager, or Primary Care Provider searching for solutions, read ahead to learn more about how our approach can best treat your patients’ mental health.

What is evolvedMD’s enhanced Psychiatric CoCM?

Our unique, onsite, and ongoing approach turns your primary care practice into a comprehensive solution for the full spectrum of physical and behavioral health services. We place our mental health therapists, called Behavioral Health Managers, onsite and in person (or virtual if needed) at each of the primary care practices we serve. And we fully embed them within a collaborative team led by a patient’s Primary Care Provider (PCP).

How does evolvedMD’s enhanced Psychiatric CoCM benefit patients?

1. Comprehensive, Whole-Patient Care

It’s well documented that physical health problems can increase the risk of mental health problems, and vice versa. Knowing physical and mental health are interconnected, psychiatric CoCM is proven to be an effective method for tackling both. Through our enhanced Psychiatric CoCM, Primary Care Providers and their collaborative care teams (including a Psychiatric Consultant, our onsite licensed Behavioral Health Manager, and our in-house Care Coordination team), can effectively address both physical and mental health conditions.

Patient Proof Point: “[Behavioral Health Manager] shared this great feedback from a patient recently. She stated the patient initially scored high on her GAD and PHQ but now her scores are much lower. The BHM stated she thanked the patient for coming back and participating in sessions. Patient responded with, “Easy to come back because there is not that stigma”. This patient has gone on and referred other patients to the practice. Three patients were willing to establish new primary care to have therapy services with the BHM. It is so great to see how much the BHM influenced positive engagement for these patients for not only their mental health but likely getting established with a primary care practice and taking care of physical health, too.” – evolvedMD Clinical Manager

2. Reduces Stigma + Negative Attitudes

Despite increasing awareness of therapy’s benefits, stigma still deters many people from seeking help. Progress in reducing stigma around mental health has been slow, but our enhanced Psychiatric CoCM makes it easier than ever for patients to get the help they need without judgment. By embedding our licensed Behavioral Health Managers onsite and in person, patients can see a mental health professional in the same building as their PCP at the primary care practice they trust.

Patient Proof Point: “The patient stated he “Does not know why they sent me here (to see BHM), this is for people who are nuts”. After the first session he agreed to come back. After the second session he said, “I come in here and I talk and I feel better.” The patient stated he is also now making sure he makes his mental and physical health a priority.” – evolvedMD Clinical Manager

3. Identifies + Treats Adverse Mental Health Conditions Before They Become Severe

Severe mental health conditions can be harder and more expensive to treat. It’s obviously better to catch these conditions early on. Through our enhanced Psychiatric CoCM, PCPs proactively identify mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety using screening instruments like the PHQ-9 and GAD-7. After evaluation and assessment, the PCP can immediately connect its patients with one of evolvedMD’s onsite Behavioral Health Managers and begin treatment. Together, the collaborative care team then treats the full spectrum of physical and mental health conditions before they become severe, often connecting the patient to additional community resources.

Patient Proof Point: “I was able to jump in and help see a patient at a clinic as our BHM was in another session and it was an urgent request. I was able to assess for SI and other factors and then speak with the family and get them in to see our BHM. The BHM has seen the patient and is working with him. It was such a smooth transition, and the provider was thrilled with how we could coordinate things and work with this family while she went back to seeing her patients. Love the work we do.” – evolvedMD Clinical Manager

4. Reduces Cost for Patients

One of the biggest barriers to accessing mental health care is the cost of services, with the average cost ranging from $100 to $200 per session. By integrating behavioral health services at a primary care practice, the cost of services for a patient is similar to a typical doctor visit with insurance, making it more affordable to receive high-quality services while our Care Coordination team helps connect patients to insurance-friendly and/or affordable community resources when needed.

Patient Proof Point: “I received an email from a patient that said: “I just wanted to go ahead and give a quick little shout out to the evolvedMD Care Coordinator. She has been so helpful with me trying to find a psychiatrist that will take my insurance. I just wanted to tell you that she is really amazing and helpful and it’s nice that she is so willing to help.” – Care Coordination Manager

5. Increases Patient Satisfaction

Our enhanced Psychiatric CoCM significantly improves overall safety and quality of care, leading to decreased symptomology and return visits compared to traditional settings.

Patient Proof Point: “I have a patient who has a long history of trauma, anxiety, and depression. She was feeling down that all of these things were affecting her ability to be a good parent. We set her up with OP counseling and she reported to me yesterday that she is feeling much better. She is learning how to talk with her family and cope with her own emotions. She has hope for the future. She is more motivated to do things. I was overjoyed with her success. She expressed gratitude for OUR care, because we were there to get her connected.” – Behavioral Health Manager

Partner with evolvedMD today to bring enhanced Psychiatric CoCM to your practice.