UCLA Health program improves access and medical outcomes for people

Study shows that integrating behavioral health and primary care also reduces emergency room visits. Veronique de Turenne - A collaborative care system developed at UCLA Health benefits patients and reduces costs by merging two areas of health care that often have often not been well-integrated: primary care and mental health services. Known as Behavioral Health Associates, the unique approach by UCLA has tripled the number of people receiving the behavioral health care they need, cut the number of visits to the emergency room, and provided solutions to long-standing administrative problems. More than 26 percent of adults have a diagnosable health disorder in any given year, and 20 percent of children suffer from mental illness. People with behavioral health disorders typically use the health care system more than those with medical issues alone and tend to have worse health outcomes than people who just have medical care needs. Studies have shown that people with behavioral health problems, such as depression, are less likely to adhere to the medical care recommendation they receive from health professionals. This is due, in large part, to the fact that medical and behavioral care are often not well-integrated.