Better Telehealth Access Means Better Care
While COVID-19’s physical symptoms were well-documented, the impact on mental health was substantial, too. Many of our members feared the virus itself. Others drifted into isolation and loneliness brought on by quarantine and social distancing. Still others turned to alcohol and drugs to navigate a complicated new environment. Meanwhile, those with existing behavioral health conditions reached out for help to maintain the level of care they needed to survive. For those reasons, behavioral health was a major focus of the CareSource pandemic response.
In response to the surge in behavioral health concerns, CareSource took a proactive approach in our communities to engage members at all stages of their care, while supporting our providers and health care workers on the front lines of this battle. Actions included:
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, CareSource has recognized that we must play a critical role in serving our providers and members. In response, we organized and hosted the COVID-19 Behavioral Health Provider Listening Sessions to create a safe space for providers to support one another, while sharing information, ideas and innovation to address challenges related to the pandemic. Our ultimate goal was to keep our providers and members healthy and safe while accessing ever-important behavioral health services.
As a result of provider feedback in those early listening sessions, CareSource provided trade organizations and associations with cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, funding for personal protective equipment (PPE) and funding for naloxone. As the providers continued to innovate, we adjusted our response to best fit their needs.
Based on a number of listening sessions, we authored the position and advocacy document: Initial COVID-19 Telehealth Recommendations for Behavioral Health in Ohio, identifying six strategic themes for developing a person- and community-centered service delivery model for telehealth: operations, timelines, delivery modalities, HIPAA considerations, substance use disorder services and health disparities.
Through these listening sessions, CareSource was able to engage providers and communities in building out services via community learning collaboratives, technical assistance around community mental health centers incorporating integrated care into their services model and connecting peer recovery services within Appalachia.
