Zeitschrift für Gesundheitsfürsorge und Prävention

Abstrakt

The Integrated Behavioral Health Service Delivery System Model

John S Wodarski

Amid dramatic changes in the healthcare industry accompanying the implementation of Health Care Reform (HCR) will come major innovation and modification to managed healthcare as it is now known. This paper focuses on three paradigm shifts presently taking place: the effectiveness of healthcare, the cost efficiency of healthcare systems, and the service integration of fragmented systems specifically those of healthcare, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services (Blount, et al., 2007; Wodarski, 2000; Law, 2006; Munsey, 2006, Clancy, 2009, Donaldson, Yordy, Lohr, & Vanselow, 1996; Frank 2009). Increased costs and proposed budget cuts are forcing segregated systems into an overall integrated system of delivery (McDaniel & Fogarty, 2009; Meyers, 2006). The model proposed here, “The Integrated Behavioral Health Service Delivery System” employs a change in the policies and procedures that are presently at work in healthcare systems. The model suggests a progressive approach to service integration through a case management modality. This modality suggests that the Behavioral Health Social Worker (BHSW) case manager will supervise and control services provided for each client or case. The model provides an integrated cost effective delivery system that will provide the needed integrated psychosocial treatment, currently at risk of becoming fragmented as healthcare programs are revamped (Petterson, et al., 2008).