Tuesday, February 4, 2025
2/4/2025
ABSTRACT The Oklahoma Healthcare Authority and its sister agency, the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, are dedicated to integrating behavioral healthcare for individuals with complex behavioral health needs and co-occurring health conditions. Oklahoma is ranked 49ᵗʰ in health systems performance and 44ᵗʰ in poor health outcomes. Due to theses alarming findings, our proposal will be implemented statewide and will select practice participants from certified community behavioral health center (CCBHCs), certified community addiction and recovery centers (CCARCs), and other substance use disorder and mental health facilities who have not had the resources to implement health information technology and adopt evidence-based practices (EBP) around integrated care. Because many people with complex behavioral health receive the majority of care at behavioral health centers, the aim is to enable these providers to screen, assess, utilize EBPs for treatment and coordination of care and refer for appropriate primary care. Our overarching goal is to create a healthcare environment where behavioral health is not treated in isolation but as an integral part of overall health. By supporting providers through practice facilitation and enhancing the technological infrastructure, we aim to improve health outcomes and enhance the quality of life for individuals with complex behavioral health needs in Oklahoma. Funds will be spent on practice facilitation; certified electronic health records (EHRs); health information exchange (HIE) connections, including care gap alerts; and an integrated referral system. Our approach is designed to be scalable and sustainable, laying the groundwork for long- term improvements in the healthcare system. Goal 1: Equip practice participants with certified EHRs to improve the quality of health care and communication with other treating providers. By leveraging electronic health records and other digital tools, we can ensure that all relevant patient information is readily accessible, fostering a more integrated and patient-centered approach to healthcare. Goal 2: Connect practice participants with the statewide HIE to have instant access to medical information and receive admission, discharge, and transfer alerts for their service recipients. Goal 3: Implement an integrated referral system that connects various healthcare providers to ensure seamless, continuous care for individuals. This system will allow for the efficient sharing of member information and resources among behavioral health, primary care providers, and community partners and enhance the ability to automatically track referrals and ensure that the referring clinician is able to follow the patient’s progress throughout the continuum of care. Goal 4: Provide practice facilitation that will involve support to healthcare providers, helping them implement evidence-based practices and improve care coordination for individuals with complex needs. Practice participants will learn to screen and access for physical health needs and social drivers of health, utilize principles of team-based care and provide whole health coordination of care. This approach ensures that providers are well-equipped to address both mental health and substance use disorders, alongside any co-occurring physical health conditions. Through this grant, we seek the necessary resources to implement these strategies effectively, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more resilient Oklahoma. The total cost of the project is $7,246,200.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).