Debbie Reinheimer
Articles
Mental Health When and Where You Need It: Collaborative Care Makes A Difference
- Michigan’s Collaborative Care model integrates behavioral health specialists into primary care and OBGYN offices, letting patients receive mental health treatment without navigating a separate system.
- Participants see rapid improvements: 61% report reduced depression or anxiety, and more than half cut symptoms by at least 50%, while the program has saved roughly $1.46 million by cutting emergency visits and hospitalizations.
- The model offers flexible access patients can meet care managers in person, by video or phone helping those with severe depression and anxiety achieve remission in as little as six to eight months.
Reducing Tests That Don’t Add Value to Health Care
- Preoperative testing is standard to ensure a patient’s health, but it may not be necessary in uncomplicated surgeries.
- A pilot program cut unnecessary preoperative testing in low-risk surgeries by about 40%, showing that routine labs, EKGs and imaging often add no clinical benefit.
- Reducing low value testing could save billions in health care costs, lessen patient inconvenience and streamline care without compromising surgical outcomes.
