Coordination of Care 

Coordination of care between behavioral health clinicians and medical care providers improves the quality of patients' care

Individuals with mental health and substance abuse disorders frequently rely on multiple organizations and treatment professionals to provide their health care.  Additionally, a significant number of people with serious medical conditions also have behavioral health conditions. 

Effectively coordinating care between these treatment professionals can lead to improved health outcomes, result in reduced healthcare costs, and benefit practitioners by enhancing networking with other professionals. 

To learn more download our Coordination of Care flyer.

Download a helpful Coordination of Care checklist.

Please be sure to have the member sign a release of information form. You may use your own form, or access the Optum Confidential Exchange of Information form.  

Coordination of Care tips

• At the initial session, discuss what coordination of care is and invite your patient to ask any questions they may have about the process
• Engage and inform your patient about the importance and benefits of coordinating their care with other health care professionals
•  Complete a COC form with the member within a week of your initial assessment and annually thereafter
• Provide the appropriate assessment information to other treatment professionals, with the appropriate permissions and releases on file
• Request that the other treating professional provide you with relevant clinical information including medical, mental health or substance use treatment they are providing
• Document all actions in the patient progress notes, including if the patient declined to allow coordination of care