Summary
- Treated as a whole person
- All doctors and staff work together as one team
- Better tracking and access to health records
You are unique, and so are your specific health care needs. But, everyone wants to feel better. This is true for a person with a cold as well as for someone dealing with cancer. Whether you are trying to quit smoking or fighting off depression, you need hope and support. Whether your issues are physical or mental, or both, we all need some help. Even if you are currently healthy, you want to do all you can to stay that way.
These are some of the thoughts and values behind integrated care. It is a way of treating the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. It involves a health care team working together for the person’s well-being. It is a person-centered, holistic approach to wellness.
Who needs it?
There are many snags to complete care in our current health care system. People with complex health issues are often referred to many different doctors and health sites. This can mean a lot of phone calling, scheduling, driving, and waiting. The whole process can be very time consuming and quite frustrating. It is enough to make many people lose their patience.
The idea of integrated care is not a new one. But, the push for health care reform has brought it to the forefront. Giving better care at reduced costs has now become a major focus. The Affordable Care Act was made to make sure that these goals are met. States are given grants and other incentives to help bring about these changes.
Change is never easy though. Some people may wonder if they even need integrated care. If you only see your doctor for an annual checkup or occasional sickness, you may not need it. But, if you have one or more chronic illnesses, you will likely want integrated care. This is very true for co-occurring physical, mental, and substance use issues.
Pros and cons of integrated care
Even if you do not have many health issues, integrated care does offer certain benefits. For the member, some of these include:
- Being treated as a whole person
- All doctors and staff working together as one team
- Better access to health records
- Simpler tracking of all meds
- Less testing may be needed
- Fewer forms to fill out
- Improved dialogue and follow-up care
- Less chance for error in treatment
- Reduced visits and costs
Despite its strengths, integrated care may not be for everyone. Some people will still prefer the more traditional doctor’s office setting for medical care or a mental health center for mental health needs. They may be confused by the number of services and staff at an integrated practice. Insurance and payment options can also be complex. One way of helping people is to assign each one a care manager.
Integrated care managers
Care managers act as a main contact between the person seeking care and the health care staff. The care manager meets with the person face-to-face or by phone and makes sure all her needs are being met. The care manager helps to direct all health services and communication with providers. Any issues or concerns can be openly discussed with a care manager.
Complete health care
Integrated care is a better way of managing multiple health issues. It allows for a one-stop treatment for all health care needs. This includes physical health, mental health, and substance use treatment. Integrated care helps to make sure everyone gets complete and custom health care.
Summary
- Treated as a whole person
- All doctors and staff work together as one team
- Better tracking and access to health records
You are unique, and so are your specific health care needs. But, everyone wants to feel better. This is true for a person with a cold as well as for someone dealing with cancer. Whether you are trying to quit smoking or fighting off depression, you need hope and support. Whether your issues are physical or mental, or both, we all need some help. Even if you are currently healthy, you want to do all you can to stay that way.
These are some of the thoughts and values behind integrated care. It is a way of treating the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. It involves a health care team working together for the person’s well-being. It is a person-centered, holistic approach to wellness.
Who needs it?
There are many snags to complete care in our current health care system. People with complex health issues are often referred to many different doctors and health sites. This can mean a lot of phone calling, scheduling, driving, and waiting. The whole process can be very time consuming and quite frustrating. It is enough to make many people lose their patience.
The idea of integrated care is not a new one. But, the push for health care reform has brought it to the forefront. Giving better care at reduced costs has now become a major focus. The Affordable Care Act was made to make sure that these goals are met. States are given grants and other incentives to help bring about these changes.
Change is never easy though. Some people may wonder if they even need integrated care. If you only see your doctor for an annual checkup or occasional sickness, you may not need it. But, if you have one or more chronic illnesses, you will likely want integrated care. This is very true for co-occurring physical, mental, and substance use issues.
Pros and cons of integrated care
Even if you do not have many health issues, integrated care does offer certain benefits. For the member, some of these include:
- Being treated as a whole person
- All doctors and staff working together as one team
- Better access to health records
- Simpler tracking of all meds
- Less testing may be needed
- Fewer forms to fill out
- Improved dialogue and follow-up care
- Less chance for error in treatment
- Reduced visits and costs
Despite its strengths, integrated care may not be for everyone. Some people will still prefer the more traditional doctor’s office setting for medical care or a mental health center for mental health needs. They may be confused by the number of services and staff at an integrated practice. Insurance and payment options can also be complex. One way of helping people is to assign each one a care manager.
Integrated care managers
Care managers act as a main contact between the person seeking care and the health care staff. The care manager meets with the person face-to-face or by phone and makes sure all her needs are being met. The care manager helps to direct all health services and communication with providers. Any issues or concerns can be openly discussed with a care manager.
Complete health care
Integrated care is a better way of managing multiple health issues. It allows for a one-stop treatment for all health care needs. This includes physical health, mental health, and substance use treatment. Integrated care helps to make sure everyone gets complete and custom health care.
Summary
- Treated as a whole person
- All doctors and staff work together as one team
- Better tracking and access to health records
You are unique, and so are your specific health care needs. But, everyone wants to feel better. This is true for a person with a cold as well as for someone dealing with cancer. Whether you are trying to quit smoking or fighting off depression, you need hope and support. Whether your issues are physical or mental, or both, we all need some help. Even if you are currently healthy, you want to do all you can to stay that way.
These are some of the thoughts and values behind integrated care. It is a way of treating the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. It involves a health care team working together for the person’s well-being. It is a person-centered, holistic approach to wellness.
Who needs it?
There are many snags to complete care in our current health care system. People with complex health issues are often referred to many different doctors and health sites. This can mean a lot of phone calling, scheduling, driving, and waiting. The whole process can be very time consuming and quite frustrating. It is enough to make many people lose their patience.
The idea of integrated care is not a new one. But, the push for health care reform has brought it to the forefront. Giving better care at reduced costs has now become a major focus. The Affordable Care Act was made to make sure that these goals are met. States are given grants and other incentives to help bring about these changes.
Change is never easy though. Some people may wonder if they even need integrated care. If you only see your doctor for an annual checkup or occasional sickness, you may not need it. But, if you have one or more chronic illnesses, you will likely want integrated care. This is very true for co-occurring physical, mental, and substance use issues.
Pros and cons of integrated care
Even if you do not have many health issues, integrated care does offer certain benefits. For the member, some of these include:
- Being treated as a whole person
- All doctors and staff working together as one team
- Better access to health records
- Simpler tracking of all meds
- Less testing may be needed
- Fewer forms to fill out
- Improved dialogue and follow-up care
- Less chance for error in treatment
- Reduced visits and costs
Despite its strengths, integrated care may not be for everyone. Some people will still prefer the more traditional doctor’s office setting for medical care or a mental health center for mental health needs. They may be confused by the number of services and staff at an integrated practice. Insurance and payment options can also be complex. One way of helping people is to assign each one a care manager.
Integrated care managers
Care managers act as a main contact between the person seeking care and the health care staff. The care manager meets with the person face-to-face or by phone and makes sure all her needs are being met. The care manager helps to direct all health services and communication with providers. Any issues or concerns can be openly discussed with a care manager.
Complete health care
Integrated care is a better way of managing multiple health issues. It allows for a one-stop treatment for all health care needs. This includes physical health, mental health, and substance use treatment. Integrated care helps to make sure everyone gets complete and custom health care.