Improving Behavioral Health Outcomes Through Integrated Care: AIR’s Support for the CMS IBH Model
The behavioral health crisis in the United States continues to drive poor outcomes, including premature mortality and persistent gaps in access to care. One in four Medicare enrollees and 40 percent of adult Medicaid enrollees live with a mental health condition or substance use disorder. These individuals are more likely to experience unmet health and social needs, fragmented care, and poor health outcomes.
AIR is supporting the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center in implementing the Innovation in Behavioral Health (IBH) Model, a new Medicare–Medicaid initiative designed to improve care for people with moderate to severe mental health conditions or substance use disorders.
Debbie Peikes
Vice President, Healthcare Innovations
The IBH Model is designed to support more integrated, coordinated, and person-centered care for people with moderate to severe mental illness or substance use disorders. AIR is honored to partner with CMS on this important work and to help generate actionable evidence that can improve care quality and outcomes for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.
Debbie Peikes
Vice President, Healthcare Innovations
The IBH Model enables specialty behavioral health providers to serve as a central point of entry, helping identify a person’s full range of needs, connect them to appropriate services, and coordinate care across providers. This “no wrong door” approach brings physical health care, behavioral health services, and social supports together to better serve patients.
Through this work, AIR will help advance integrated, coordinated care within behavioral health settings, supporting collaboration among providers, strengthening care delivery, and addressing health-related social needs. The goal is to improve care quality, reduce avoidable emergency department use, and achieve better health outcomes for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.