Individuals with mental health and substance abuse disorders frequently rely on multiple organizations and treatment professionals to provide their health care. Additionally, a significant number of people with serious medical conditions also have behavioral health conditions.

Effectively coordinating care between these treatment professionals can lead to improved health outcomes, result in reduced healthcare costs, and benefit practitioners by enhancing networking with other professionals.

To learn more download our Coordination of Care flyer.

Download a helpful Coordination of Care checklist.

Please be sure to have the member sign a release of information form. You may use your own form, or access the Optum Confidential Exchange of Information form.

Coordination of Care tips

Engage and educate your patient at the initial session about the importance of coordinating care with other healthcare professionals
Document this exchange in the patient’s chart
Provide the appropriate assessment information to other treatment professionals, with the appropriate permissions/releases on file
Request that the treatment professional with whom you are coordinating care provide you with the relevant clinical information regarding medical, mental health or substance abuse treatment that they are providing
Document actions in the patient’s progress notes, including if the patient declined to allow coordination of care.