Program Supplement to the Primary and Behavioral Health Care Integration Grants for Health Information Technology (HIT) Adoption in the Context of Integrated Care

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announces the availability of funds to expand and enhance grant activities funded under the Primary and Behavioral Health Care Integration (PBHCI) grant announcement. The purpose of this one-year supplemental award is to expand the use of interoperable electronic health records to increase the grantees� abilities to quickly identify both the behavioral health and primary care needs of their patients. It supports the grantees� provision of high quality clinical services that respond to the complete health care needs of their patients. As a part of the Draft National Prevention Strategy, it paves the way for the delivery of prevention services that link primary care and behavioral health needs, and allows the timely tracking of outcomes. The exchange of health information between PBHCI behavioral health providers and physical health providers, and the documenting and tracking of preventive health efforts across both settings, will improve the overall health of patients. This supplement supports the PBHCI program for improving the physical health status of people with serious mental illnesses and substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. It facilitates the integration of primary care services with the care delivered in publicly funded community mental health and other community-based behavioral health settings. HHS�s expectation is that individuals with serious mental illnesses and substance abuse problems will show improvement in their overall health status through a coordinated approach to prevention and treatment. In the past, the specialty behavioral health system has often operated independently from the broader health system and differed in the type and scope of information technology used. Through this initiative, SAMHSA will work to increase the use of interoperable, certified electronic health record systems so that Americans with behavioral health conditions can benefit from the advantages afforded by the existence of an integrated health record. This supplement supports SAMHSA Strategic Initiative #5: Health Reform. Additionally, the supplement supports SAMHSA Strategic Initiative #6: Health Information Technology, by increasing the use of interoperable electronic health records. PBHCI HIT grants are authorized under Section 520A of the Public Health Service Act, as amended. This announcement addresses Health People Mental Health and Mental Disorders Topic Area HP 2020-MHMD and/or Substance Abuse Topic Area HP 2020-SA.