ValueOptions® Enters Agreement with CareIntegra to Provide Integrated Health Services
Norfolk, Virginia — JANUARY 7, 2009
ValueOptions®, Inc., the nation’s largest independent behavioral health care company, announced today that it has entered into an agreement with CareIntegra to provide enhanced integrated health care solutions as part of its core product offerings.
Under the terms of the contract, CareIntegra and ValueOptions® will collaborate to develop and conduct a series of Web-based integrated health training modules for providers and care managers. The training modules will increase knowledge regarding the psychological components of medical illness, as well as facilitate recognition of medical conditions often associated with psychiatric symptoms. Additional benefits from the training include:
- Increased coordination, collaboration and shared expertise among treatment providers who currently specialize in medical or behavioral health
- Improved care management of members with co-morbid physical and behavioral health conditions
- More efficient and effective services, leading to decreased overall health care costs and improved member outcomes
CareIntegra will also provide integrated care consulting services for ValueOptions® leadership and client organizations. This will benefit ValueOptions® through enhanced opportunities to implement successful evidence-based strategies, such as:
- Co-locating behavioral care providers in primary care clinics
- Providing behavioral health consultation and liaison services to medical practitioners
- Offering innovative treatments for co-morbid chronic conditions
"ValueOptions® and CareIntegra agree that in the current health care climate, organizations are challenged because behavioral health conditions increase the overall health risk associated with various physical health diseases. Increases in medical costs are inherently tied to behavioral health risks," states Barbara Hill, CEO of ValueOptions®. "Our position is that behavioral health interventions can actually reduce health care costs and help people achieve improved outcomes for chronic health conditions."
"Our Board Chair, Nicholas Cummings, Ph.D., proved years ago that behavioral health tactics in the health care system work for the patient, the physician and the economy,” states William O'Donohue, Ph.D., CEO of CareIntegra. "Our model has evolved to one where we consistently achieve remarkable economic and clinical outcomes."
