North Carolina Allocates $5 Million to Enhance Mental Health Care Access
North Carolina is taking a significant step towards improving mental healthcare access by investing $5 million to help healthcare providers adopt the
Collaborative Care Model
in primary care settings. This initiative is a response to the growing need for combined medical and behavioral health services, a demand that has surged in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The model facilitates collaboration between primary care providers, behavioral health case managers, and psychiatric consultants to address mild to moderate mental health issues. “Too many individuals with mental health and substance use disorders delay the care they need because they struggle finding a provider,” stated NC Health and Human Services Secretary, Kody H. Kinsley. “Collaborative Care can serve more people earlier by supporting primary care providers in reaching people at the onset of behavioral health symptoms.”
Funded by the NC General Assembly, this $5 million capacity-building investment aims to cover the initial costs for primary care providers, especially in rural or underserved areas. The
Collaborative Care Model
is recognized by NC Medicaid, Medicare, and most commercial insurance plans, which helps integrate physical and behavioral healthcare services, consequently reducing stigma and healthcare costs.
In partnership with Community Care of North Carolina (CCNC), the Department of Health and Human Services will distribute funds to around 100 providers. Eligible providers can
apply
for up to $50,000 per site to help with hiring and initial expenses. Additional support is being directed towards primary care practices in western North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene.
According to Dr. Carrie Brown, NCDHHS Chief Psychiatrist, “From 2019 to 2021, the percentage of Americans reporting symptoms of anxiety and depression nearly quadrupled, from 11% to 41%.” The Collaborative Care Model is viewed as a vital strategy to tackle this mental health crisis by bridging the gap between primary care and psychiatric services.
Nationally, the model addresses the shortage of mental health professionals, a challenge affecting over
123 million people
in Federally Designated Mental Health Professional shortage areas. In North Carolina,
28 counties
are without a practicing psychiatrist, creating delays in mental health care access.
By embedding a behavioral health manager in primary care settings, the model allows for more extensive reach and efficient management of behavioral health conditions, enhancing overall healthcare accessibility as emphasized by Kelly Crosbie, Director of the NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services.
This funding stems from the federal bonus received by North Carolina upon approving Medicaid Expansion and aims to support the effective rollout and increased utilization of the Collaborative Care Model. Between April 2023 and May 2024, there has been a nearly 100% increase in the model’s utilization among NC Medicaid primary care providers.
Comprehensive efforts are underway to streamline Collaborative Care requirements and reimbursement processes across various payors, as detailed in a
policy paper
from NC Medicaid. This investment is part of a larger initiative to develop an integrated behavioral health system in North Carolina, supported by a historic
$835 million
allocation by the NC General Assembly. More details are available in the NCDHHS
Transforming North Carolina’s Behavioral Health System
report.
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