Using Information Technology to Integrate Behavioral Health and Primary Care

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (“ONC”) released this week a report , “The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (“ONC”) released this week a report summarizing the discussion and key findings from the Behavioral Health Roundtable held on July 24 about the adoption of health information technologies among behavioral health providers and using it to integrate behavioral health and primary care. The Roundtable had a broad spectrum of key stakeholders represented: consumer organizations; providers; payers, HIE and health IT professionals; vendors; and federal agencies all participated. The Roundtable focused on two primary challenges to health IT adoption among behavioral health providers: limited financial resources and a lack of health IT professionals. The Report details the participants’ recommendations and possible directions that the ONC and relevant stakeholders can take to encourage health IT adoption and care coordination in the behavioral health field, including coordinating with Meaningful Use initiatives; providing innovation grants; and developing certification criteria, among others. For a copy of the Report, click HERE: Using Information Technology to Integrate Behavioral Health and Primary Care,” summarizing the discussion and key findings from the Behavioral Health Roundtable held on July 24 about the adoption of health information technologies among behavioral health providers and using it to integrate behavioral health and primary care.The Roundtable had a broad spectrum of key stakeholders represented: consumer organizations; providers; payers, HIE and health IT professionals; vendors; and federal agencies all participated. The Roundtable focused on two primary challenges to health IT adoption among behavioral health providers: limited financial resources and a lack of health IT professionals. The Report details the participants’ recommendations and possible directions that the ONC and relevant stakeholders can take to encourage health IT adoption and care coordination in the behavioral health field, including coordinating with Meaningful Use initiatives; providing innovation grants; and developing certification criteria, among others.Should you have any questions, please contact Joshua Reading at 317.977.1486 or jreading@wp.hallrender.com.