Treating the whole patient 

In February 2010, the Division of Medical Assistance (DMA) approved the Behavioral Health Integration Initiative (BHI), a greater integration of behavioral health services into Community Care of North Carolina's approach.  The plan supports the integration of behavioral health services, including mental health and substance abuse, into the 1,400 primary care practices in CCNC networks across North Carolina.  CCNC hired a lead psychiatrist to focus and direct the implementation of this plan. 

Given the sharp increase in Medicaid beneficiaries expected in 2014, it is extremely important that North Carolina's delivery system be prepared to respond to this challenge with a more integrated approach to physicial and mental health. 

Community Care of the Sandhills has hired a psychiatric physician consultant and behavioral health coordinator dedicated to the implementation of BHI.

Other behavioral health programs include A+Kids, an effort to promote the safe and efficacious use of anti-psychotic medications with children eligible for Medicaid, and the Chronic Pain Initiative.