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AccessCare Study Reveals How Behavioral Health Integration Positively Affects Costs and Health Outcomes

AURORA, Colo —  AccessCare Services, a subsidiary of Colorado Access, is excited to announce the publication of the article “The Value-Based Proposition of an Adapted Integrated Care Telehealth Service for Members of an Accountable Care Organization.” The study, which appears in the medical journal Psychiatric Services, highlights the significant achievements of the Virtual Care Collaboration and Integration (VCCI) program, a cornerstone of AccessCare’s commitment to advancing access to care.

AccessCare, launched in 2014, is the telehealth expertise and virtual care delivery arm of Colorado Access. It was created to advance the mission of ensuring access to quality, affordable care for all. The VCCI program plays a pivotal role in supporting the Colorado Access network of primary care providers through collaborative consultations and telehealth services.

In 2022, a new framework adopted by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing helped AccessCare usher in integrated care that caters to the specific needs of local clinics and members being served. This practical approach has demonstrated the tangible value of integrated care to both providers and policymakers, reinforcing its importance in the health care world.

“VCCI has been instrumental in ensuring our members can access behavioral health services, regardless of barriers such as transportation issues, geographic distance, time constraints, or financial limitations,” said George Roupas, director of telehealth for AccessCare Services. “This program offers the flexibility for patients to receive behavioral health support in their primary care physician’s office, directly in their homes, or within a participating school-based health center. It helps address the behavioral health workforce shortages by providing remote access to care, offering telehealth services that meet members where they are, and reducing long waits for behavioral health care.”

The study analyzed 121 Health First Colorado and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) members and examined cost-of-care data before and after a six-month intervention. Key findings include concrete evidence that using a virtual care model with an Accountable Care Organization (ACO) leads to a shift from emergency services to preventive care, making the organization and the State more cost-effective while improving member health outcomes. Following the implementation of the VCCI Program, there was a notable shift in health care spending—more resources were allocated to preventive care rather than emergency services. This shift not only optimizes costs but also enhances the overall well-being of the members served. The study offers actionable insights into how other health care systems can replicate this successful integrated care model to improve behavioral health care delivery.

“This study is significant in looking at the future of health care,” said Maryann Waugh, principal of Quandary Consulting & Analytics, a Colorado-based consulting firm with deep integrated care expertise. “We know that integrated care has significant potential to improve health outcomes for members, and this study indicates it may also lead to promising shifts in cost, not just for Colorado Access but the State of Colorado. We’re excited to share our learnings and help other health care systems replicate this successful model.'”

Currently, the VCCI Program collaborates with 27 primary care clinics, primarily pediatric practices, providing flexible support tailored to each clinic’s needs. The study highlights how VCCI changes care utilization patterns and presents a model adaptable for other ACOs and health care systems aiming to enhance behavioral health services.

To learn more about the VCCI program, go to https://www.coaccess.com/providers/resources/engagement/

About Colorado Access
As the largest and most experienced public sector health plan in the state, Colorado Access is a nonprofit organization that works beyond just navigating health services. The company focuses on meeting members’ unique needs by partnering with providers and community organizations to provide better personalized care through measurable results. Their broad and deep view of regional and local systems allows them to stay focused on members’ care while collaborating on measurable and economically sustainable systems that serve them better. Learn more at coaccess.com.