Collaborative Care Management

Collaborative Care Management (CoCM) is an evidence-based behavioral health integration model designed to support primary care clinicians as they assess and treat patients with mild to moderate behavioral health conditions. 

CoCM improves patient outcomes, increases satisfaction for both patients and providers, and reduces healthcare costs and stigma related to mental health and substance use disorders. The model complements other integrated models, including the North Carolina Psychiatric Access Line (NC-PAL). 

In support of improving the lives of all North Carolinians, The North Carolina General Assembly has provided financial support to grow the CoCM model in North Carolina. For more information about the CoCM model, explore NC AHEC and the AIMS Center. 

Funding Opportunity

The NC General Assembly has allocated $5 million for capacity building of Medicaid-enrolled primary care practices across the state to adopt CoCM. NCDHHS is contracting with Community Care of North Carolina (CCNC) to manage the CoCM Capacity Building award program in partnership with NC AHEC. The goal is to increase access to evidence-based behavioral healthcare for primary care practices and their patients through the use of the CoCM model.

For more information and how to apply, visit the Community Care of North Carolina Collaborative Care Management Capacity Building Fund Application.

Work to Date

In January of 2022, NC Medicaid launched a Collaborative Care Model Consortium, which included leaders representing the primary care and psychiatric provider communities, payers, and other community organizations with the goal of expanding the availability of integrated mental and primary care services in primary care clinics across the state, using the widely tested and clinically proven CoCM model.

Examples of accomplishments include:

• Aligning coverage across all major payors
• Aligning requirements for billing
• Providing practice support through AHEC
• Providing free CoCM Registry access through CCNC
• Connecting interested primary care practices with trained psychiatric consultants

The consortium also recognized the need for reimbursement sustainability, and with the Medicaid rate increasing from 120% of 2022 Medicare FFS rates for CoCM codes, sustainability and adoption are more feasible than ever. Additionally, to reduce barriers to care, NC Medicaid and other commercial insurers have opted to remove copays for CoCM services, streamlining payment requirements for beneficiaries.
 

For more information about becoming a CoCM practice, contact practicesupport@ncahec.net.