What does 'integrated care' mean in case management?

Integrated care in case management refers to a comprehensive approach that combines various types of healthcare services, specifically health care and behavioral health care, to treat the whole person. This model recognizes that physical and mental health are interconnected and that addressing the full spectrum of a person's needs leads to better health outcomes.

By integrating services, care managers can coordinate treatment plans that take into account both the physical and psychological aspects of a patient's health, facilitating more effective communication among providers and ensuring that patients receive holistic support. This approach is especially beneficial for those with chronic conditions, where mental health can significantly impact physical health and vice versa.

In contrast, options that focus only on physical health services or advocate for the separation of mental health from general health do not embody the integrated care model. Similarly, concentrating solely on disease management fails to address the comprehensive needs of individuals, which include mental, emotional, and behavioral health considerations. Thus, integrated care represents a shift towards treating patients more holistically, aligning with best practices in modern healthcare and case management.