Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management

Ultimately, we all want two things for our health care: improved outcomes and reduced costs. How do we achieve that? Research has shown that health care models that integrate physical health, behavioral health, and social determinants may further improve individual and overall outcomes, and provide the cost savings that health plans and states are looking for.

This paper reviews some of the individual and collective impacts that physical health, behavioral health, and social determinants have on individuals and the US health system; examines how collaborative care models can help to improve outcomes and lower costs; discusses challenges to implementing integrated care; and suggests implications and opportunities for health plans.