Integrated Behavioral Health Designation

Patients with chronic or severe health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, liver disease or stroke are more likely to have co-occurring behavioral health issues (mental health conditions or substance use disorders). Behavioral health conditions act as multipliers for poor health outcomes and increased expenses.

Integrating behavioral health care with primary care is a proven strategy for improving outcomes for people with behavioral health conditions. Providers, hospitals, health systems and health plans that add Integrated Behavioral Health (IBH) Designation to their accredited programs demonstrate their commitment to effectively integrate care and treat the whole person.

Mental illness and substance use disorder prevalence continues to rise, and the COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbated early detection and treatment. Employers are increasingly aware of how poor emotional wellbeing and mental health can affect an employee’s physical health. Purchasers want innovative, proven strategies to address whole person health issues in a timely, cost-effective manner.

Obtaining URAC’s three-year IBH Designation confirms your ability to develop and execute such solutions, providing you a competitive advantage with patients and payers. Additional benefits of designation include:

• Recognition that your organization is normalizing the patient-provider discussion about behavioral health issues and reducing associated stigmas
• Improved total health outcomes through timely and proactive behavioral health identification, assessment and treatment–delivered either in the primary setting or by behavioral health specialists for more intensive needs
• Documentation of a supportive patient experience that guides the individual through consent, initial assessment, care coordination and follow-up
• Enhanced credibility as an innovator that applies proven best practices to integrate behavioral and physical health care in a measurable, meaningful way