title: The Impact of Integrated Psychological Services in a Safety Net Primary Care Clinic on Medical Utilization.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The integration of psychological and behavioral health services into safety net primary care clinics has been viewed as a step toward reducing disparities in mental health treatment and addressing behavioral factors in chronic diseases. Though it is posited that integrated behavioral health (IBH) reduces preventable medical costs, this premise has yet to be tested in a safety net primary care clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective pre- and posttreatment analysis with quasi-experimental control group was constructed using propensity score matching. Participants included 1,440 adult patients at a safety net primary care clinic, 720 of whom received IBH services, and 720 of whom received medical treatment only.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis showed that rates of preventable inpatient utilization decreased significantly among IBH-treated patients compared to no change among control patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IBH was associated with decreased rates of preventable inpatient visits. IBH may present opportunities to deliver improved holistic patient care while reducing unnecessary inpatient medical utilization.
authors: Virginia Commonwealth University.
authors: Autumn
authors: A
authors: Lanoye
authors: Virginia Commonwealth University.
authors: Karen E
authors: KE
authors: Stewart
authors: Virginia Commonwealth University.
authors: Bruce D
authors: BD
authors: Rybarczyk
authors: Virginia Commonwealth University.
authors: Stephen M
authors: SM
authors: Auerbach
authors: Virginia Commonwealth University.
authors: Elizabeth
authors: E
authors: Sadock
authors: Virginia Commonwealth University.
authors: Arpita
authors: A
authors: Aggarwal
authors: Virginia Commonwealth University.
authors: Rachel
authors: R
authors: Waller
authors: Virginia Commonwealth University.
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Wolver
authors: Virginia Commonwealth University.
authors: Kristin
authors: K
authors: Austin
mesh_terms: D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D064876:Safety-net Providers / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: cost offsets; integrated behavioral health