Promoting Physical and Behavioral Health Integration: Considerations for Aligning Federal and State Policy

Federal and state policymakers are faced with the challenge of integrating services to address both the physical and behavioral health needs of the population. This brief summarizes key lessons and opportunities for federal and state alignment that surfaced during a meeting supported by The Commonwealth Fund of high-level federal and state leaders. Several case studies are featured including Arizona, Missouri and Tennessee. Opportunities discussed spanned payment models, information and data sharing approaches, as well as operational strategies for achieving integration.