Statistics show that nearly half of all people with a treatable behavioral health disorder do not seek care from a behavioral health professional. However, 80 percent will visit their primary care manager (PCM) at least once a year. Therefore, we are changing our primary care teams to better address the needs of our service members, their adult family members and military retirees. If you have served or are serving our country, we want to keep you and your family well while also providing superior care when you get sick.
Behavioral Health Optimization Program (BHOP) is a Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH) program in which trained behavioral health personnel are integrated into primary care clinics with the goal of providing “the right care, at the right time, in the right place.” BHOP services are available to all active duty service members, retirees, and their family members. It also provides a mechanism for improving recognition and early intervention for behavioral health problems which, if left untreated, diminish quality of life and overall health status.
Internal Behavioral Health Consultants (IBHCs) are psychologists and social workers who have received specialized training to serve as consultants to the primary care medical providers. They provide focused assessments and recommendations to assist primary care providers with decision-making regarding behavioral health concerns. IBHCs also assist in implementing the treatment plan through monitoring, education, and brief interventions.
Behavioral Health Care Facilitators (BHCFs) are nurses who have received specialized training to work directly with patients who have been prescribed psychotropic medications for depression, anxiety, and/or PTSD by their primary care provider in a primary care clinic. Their evidence-based role involves collaborating with primary care medical providers by monitoring adherence and response to the treatment plan, while addressing barriers to treatment for patients seen in primary care.