COLLABORATIVE CARE MODEL
CoCM
Collaborative Care Model
Over the past decade, the integration of behavioral health and general medical services has been shown to improve patient outcomes, save money, and reduce stigma related to mental health. Significant research spanning three decades has identified one model – the Collaborative Care Model – in particular, as being effective and efficient in delivering integrated care.
HOW IT WORKS
The Collaborative Care Team is a shared resource that the provider can leverage in order to deliver the best possible care to their patients.

It is led by a primary care provider (PCP) and includes behavioral health care managers, psychiatrists, and frequently other mental health professionals all empowered to work at the top of their license. The team implements a measurement-guided care plan based on evidence-based practice guidelines and focuses particular attention on patients not meeting their clinical goals.
Adapted from University of Washington AIMS Center
Real Patient Experience of Collaborative Care
Learn about Collaborative Care through the eyes of Daniel, a real patient whose care team changed his life. He was referred to Country Doctor – a community health clinic that practices Collaborative Care. In this video, you will learn his story as well as see an in-depth look into what Collaborative Care looks like in practice.
RESOURCES
Resources on Collaborative Care Model from local and national sources:
Psychiatric Collaborative Care Management in Arkansas
Requesting AR Medicaid to provide coverage for Psychiatric Collaborative Care Management (CoCM) by adding CPT codes to the Physician Fee Schedule.
APA/Center for Workplace Mental Health
American Psychiatric Association
The Collaborative Care Model: A Smart Investment with High ROI
AIMS Quick Guide on Bundled Payments for BHI Services
University of Washington AIMS Center | Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
A resource that provides information on billing for behavioral health services within Collaborative Care Model.
Expanding Collaborative Care in Medicaid Can Combat the Country’s Youth Mental Health Crisis
The Commonwealth Fund
A resource that shows the value of the Collaborative Care Model for youth mental health crisis.
Improving Behavioral Health Care for Youth Through Collaborative Care Expansion
Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute
A resource that provides good data and some very specific recommendations for policymakers.
Senate Bill 178 to Amend the Arkansas Health Care Consumer Act, and to Provide Reimbursement and Benefits for Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders that are Delivered Through a Psychiatric Collaborative Care Model.
Pediatric Collaborative Care Implementation Guide
AIMS Center
This guide was developed by AIMS Center faculty and staff who reviewed current literature and compiled their experiences coaching, training, and interviewing clinics working in Collaborative Care programs for children and adolescents. In addition, several individuals offered subject matter expertise and consultation on the development of this guide.
Behavioral Health Integration Services Booklet by Medicare
Medicare Learning Network
This booklet goes over the structure of behavioral health integration, refining the coding for CoCM services and breaking down the various roles within the CoCM model.
AR BCBS Analysis – Senate Bill 178 – Behavioral Health Collaborative Care Model
AR BCBS
Join the AIMS Open-Ended Call
The AIMS Center hosts two monthly Office Hour calls via Zoom, where attendees can ask seasoned coaches and experts questions. Each call focuses on questions related to implementing Collaborative Care and using the Collaborative Care codes to finance your program.
Third Thursday of Every Month | 10:00 AM Pacific Time
AIMS QUARTERLY WEBINARS
Billing the Collaborative Care Codes: Experiences from Three Health Systems
Watch the recording of the AIMS Center quarterly webinar on billing CoCM codes, featuring three health system panelists describing their CoCM billing workflows – including benefits, challenges, and lessons learned.