Issue 6

This issue of Behavioral Health Integration Resource Roundup brings you a curated selection of the latest research, upcoming events, and practical tools to support behavioral health integration.

Research Highlights

CoCM Builds Independent Practice Capacity in Pediatric Primary Care

August 2026

In this four-year retrospective cohort study, pediatricians in a CoCM-based program were more likely to independently diagnose, manage, and follow up on patients with anxiety or depression. This is among one of the first studies to show CoCM's value extending beyond patient-level benefits into lasting practice behavior change, strengthening the case for evaluating CoCM at the health-system level rather than solely by enrolled-patient outcomes.

July 2026

This systematic review synthesizes 25 years of evidence on implementing measurement-based care (MBC) across 16 studies in adult mental health services. MBC was linked to symptom reduction, improved medication adherence, increased use of self-report tools, and higher patient satisfaction. Common barriers included time constraints, insufficient training, provider attitudes, and technical limitations. Active involvement of patients and service users in the implementation process was notably underrepresented in the literature, and standardized measures and detailed reporting are needed to strengthen implementation of MBC practices going forward.

June 2026

In this qualitative implementation sub-study of the COMPASS+ Trial, researchers interviewed 20 clinical and administrative staff across five obstetric clinics and one birthing hospital to identify structural facilitators and barriers to CoCM adoption. Facilitators included the frequency of prenatal visits to create opportunities for screening and follow-up and patients' existing trust in their obstetric clinicians. Barriers included limited clinic space, workflow disruption, medication stigma, and gaps in referral networks. Overall, CoCM appears well suited to obstetric care, provided implementation strategies tailor the model to local context, address barriers, and leverage existing facilitators to continue bridging the gap between research and practice.

June 2026

This perspective examines how CoCM's core principles hold up when adapted for complex populations and lower-resourced settings. Drawing on the CLARO trial, which applied CoCM to opioid use disorder disorder co-occurring with PTSD and depression in low-resourced primary care clinics, the authors show how the model flexed to accommodate to real-world innovation: community health workers stepped into the care manager role and care teams found creative ways to prioritize overlapping conditions and social needs. The authors call on the field to further clarify CoCM's principles with input from practitioners, researchers, and policymakers so the model can keep expanding into new specialty populations.

Resources & Tools

Free E-Learning for CoCM Teams - In partnership with West Health and Northwestern Medicine, the Meadows Institute launched a free, asynchronous, e-learning program for Collaborative Care. Courses are available for behavioral health care managers, primary care clinicians, psychiatric consultants, and billing staff.

Center of Excellence for Integrated Health Solutions - Funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration and operated by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, the Center of Excellence offers free consultations to address integrated care training and technical assistance needs.

HonorHealth & evolvedMD Release CoCM Case Study - A five-year case study documenting how HonorHealth scaled CoCM from a four-clinic pilot to full adoption across 32 Medical Group primary care locations in the greater Phoenix area, reporting strong PHQ-9/GAD-7 remission rates and up to 15% savings in total cost of care. The report outlines eight implementation steps for health systems considering similar systemwide scaling.

Events

Monthly | Virtual

Free AIMS Center Office Hours: Finance & Implementation

The AIMS Center hosts free monthly Office Hours via Zoom where coaches and experts answer your questions live. Finance Office Hours occur the first Wednesday of every month (11:00am - 12:00 pm CT) and Implementation Office Hours occur the third Thursday of every month (12:00 -1:00 pm CT). Drop in anytime during the hour. Join today.

August 26 | Virtual

Watch the Recording: Tailoring CoCM in Specialty Settings

The Meadows Institute, in partnership with the Center of Excellence for Integrated Health Solutions, hosted the final installment of the 2026 online Collaborative Care Conversation Series exploring lessons learned and practical strategies for advancing integrated behavioral health in oncology. Watch the recording here.

September 9 | Virtual

Free Webinar on Peer Support and Integrated Care Across the Perinatal Recovery Journey

This session, supported by the Center of Excellence for Integrated Health Solutions, will explore how peer and family support providers can strengthen integrated care for pregnant and postpartum women with substance use disorders. Register here.

September 15 | Virtual

Free Webinar on Navigating Behavioral Health Integration Billing Challenges

Presented by AMA Steps Forward® in partnership with the BHI Collaborative, this webinar brings together experts in medical coding, integrated behavioral health care, and health system finance to address common behavioral health billing and coding challenges. Register here.

September 16-17 | In-Person

Healthcare Leadership Summit: The State of Integration - San Diego, CA

Hosted by the California Quality Collaborative (CQC), this summit brings together leaders across California's health care ecosystem to explore timely challenges and strengthen collaboration. The Meadows Institute's Health System Integration team will be in attendance to share practical approaches to building workforce capacity and creating career pathways that help integrated care thrive. Learn More and Register today.

September 24-25 | In-Person

Community Care Network of Kansas Annual Conference

Community Care Network of Kansas invites health center leaders, providers, board members, staff, and partners from across the state to celebrate 35 years of advancing community health in Kansas at their 2026 Annual Conference. The Meadows Institute's Health System Integration team will facilitate a breakout session at the Community Care Network of Kansas Annual Conference focused on the Collaborative Care model, including key implementation requirements and best practices for successful adoption across Kansas. Register today.

Learn More

For information on Collaborative Care technical assistance and implementation, contact: CoCM Technical Assistance (TA) Team

Contact the CoCM TA Team

Research Highlights

CoCM Builds Independent Practice Capacity in Pediatric Primary Care

August 2026

A Review of MBC Implementation in Mental Health Care

July 2026

Scaling the Collaborative Care Model in Obstetrics

June 2026

CoCM Principles and Adaptations for Complex Patients

June 2026

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