This clinical innovation implemented by Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH) in partnership with Valley Cities Behavioral Health was part of the two-year Testing Models for Integrated Care innovation fund offered by HealthierHere from 2020 – 2022. The innovation fund was intended to create opportunities for behavioral health and primary care providers to collaboratively implement integrated models of preventive and behavioral health care to better serve a community in need.  

Through this innovation, VMFH and Valley Cities partnered to implement the Collaborative Care Model (CoCM), with a particular focus on billing for sustainability. During the project, the team embedded a Valley Cities’ behavioral health specialist at a VMFH King County clinic, and focused on implementing CoCM ICD 10 codes for reimbursement. The team used a shared caseload tracker to design and monitor their care delivery model for improved outcomes and patient experience related to care coordination.

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Watch the video above to access a narrated workflow implementation guide for using the Collaborative Care Model.
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This “toolkit” (consisting of a narrated workflow video and accompanying slides) can be used for primary care and behavioral health providers working on integrating whole person care across multiple organizations and healthcare sectors using the CoCM. While there is ample literature addressing the evidence and benefits behind the CoCM, fewer resources exist to support practices in implementing, advancing, and sustaining their integrated care models. This toolkit can be used as a “how to” resource, laying out the process and products that have contributed to the success of the innovation, and the challenges that were encountered.  

The contents of the toolkit were co-designed and co-developed with VMFH, Valley Cities, and HealthierHere staff, and a consultant from the UW AIMS Center, who provided support and technical assistance throughout the two-year Innovation period. The materials within this post can help support clinical practices embarking on similar work and can be used as a roadmap for implementation.