Roughly one in five older adults experiences a mental health condition, according to the National Poll on Healthy Aging. This sobering statistic reflects an urgent need to rethink how behavioral health is integrated into overall healthcare, especially for seniors. Behavioral health integration for seniors has become increasingly important as healthcare systems recognize the unique mental health challenges faced by this population. As mental health challenges among older adults become more visible, more providers are embracing behavioral health as an essential component of comprehensive care strategies.
Among those leading this effort is WellMed, a San Antonio, Texas-based senior-focused provider network that is prioritizing behavioral health integration. The organization’s vision is clear: they want their primary care providers (PCPs) to be able to refer patients to behavioral health services “in as few clicks as possible,” making the process seamless and efficient.
In this blog, we explore WellMed’s approach, the challenges they face, and the innovative strategies they are employing to improve behavioral health access and outcomes for older adults, with a particular focus on behavioral health integration for seniors.
The Growing Importance of Behavioral Health Integration for Seniors
As the population ages, the prevalence of mental health conditions among seniors rises. Depression, anxiety, cognitive disorders, and substance use issues can profoundly impact quality of life, physical health, and longevity. However, behavioral health has historically been siloed from primary care, leading to fragmented services and missed opportunities for early intervention.
Recognizing this gap, healthcare organizations are evolving toward models that treat behavioral health as an integral part of whole-person care. For senior-focused providers like WellMed, this means tailoring services to meet the unique needs of older adults, who may face barriers like mobility challenges, social isolation, stigma, or cognitive impairment. Behavioral health integration for seniors is not just beneficial; it is essential.
WellMed’s Network and Value-Based Care Model
Founded in 1990, WellMed operates more than 18,000 doctor’s offices across Texas and Florida, serving primarily Medicare and Medicare Advantage populations. The organization focuses on value-based care, which emphasizes quality outcomes and cost efficiency over volume of services.
WellMed recently became part of OptumCare, further strengthening its capabilities and resources. Although WellMed is not a delegated behavioral health provider for insurers, it works strategically to incorporate behavioral health through external partnerships rather than developing these services entirely in-house.
This strategy supports behavioral health integration for seniors by leveraging existing resources and expanding access efficiently.
Challenges in Launching Behavioral Health Services from Scratch
Starting a mental health service line independently poses several challenges:
- Insurance Delegation: Without delegated behavioral health contracts, WellMed cannot directly manage or bill for these services. This limits their ability to offer integrated behavioral health within their existing network infrastructure.
- Provider Time Constraints: PCPs carry heavy workloads, responsible for managing multiple health issues for each patient. Daniel Holland, behavioral health clinical manager at WellMed, notes, “PCPs are responsible for everything. They view the patient holistically but don’t often have unlimited time to delve into behavioral health during visits.”
- Communication and Follow-Up: Behavioral health referrals often get lost in the system without feedback loops, leaving PCPs unaware of patient progress or treatment status.
These obstacles require WellMed to think creatively about how to embed behavioral health into their care model without reinventing the wheel, further underscoring the importance of behavioral health integration for seniors.
Partnerships: The Cornerstone of WellMed’s Behavioral Health Strategy
To overcome these barriers, WellMed has focused on establishing partnerships with behavioral health providers. These collaborations allow WellMed to offer behavioral health access without needing to become a delegated insurer themselves.
Social worker January Gjerdevig explains the value of these partnerships: “We are able to close the loop and say, ‘Here is the provider that made the referral. This is who is seeing them, and this is the date of their appointment.’” This transparency helps PCPs stay informed and connected to their patients’ behavioral health care journey.
Currently, WellMed works with two telemedicine providers—iCare and Brave—to broaden behavioral health access, especially for patients in rural or underserved areas.
Such partnerships are critical to advancing behavioral health integration for seniors by providing timely access to services that might otherwise be difficult to obtain.
Telemedicine: Reducing Wait Times and Expanding Access
One of the most pressing issues in behavioral health care is the shortage of providers and long wait times for appointments. According to the Association for Behavioral Healthcare, the average wait time for an initial mental health assessment is 13.6 weeks—over three months.
WellMed’s telemedicine partnerships have dramatically shortened that wait, with patients now typically able to see a mental health provider within 14 to 21 days. “The demand far outstrips the supply for behavioral health care in many areas,” says Holland. “But telehealth allows us to connect patients with therapists throughout the state and drive wait times lower.”
This expansion of telehealth services has been a game-changer, especially during and following the COVID-19 pandemic, when in-person care was often inaccessible. Telemedicine not only improves access but also reduces travel burdens for seniors who may have mobility issues or limited transportation.
Such innovations are a vital part of effective behavioral health integration for seniors.
Prioritizing Patient Privacy and Consent
Behavioral health information is highly sensitive, often involving personal and family dynamics that require careful handling. WellMed takes this responsibility seriously by requiring patients to sign an additional release of information before their behavioral health data can be shared between providers.
Holland emphasizes, “Behavioral health needs an extra level of protection because the information impacts relationships and people’s lives in nuanced ways.” This approach ensures compliance with privacy laws like HIPAA while fostering trust among patients and their families.
To facilitate secure communication and data sharing, WellMed leverages technology platforms such as Smartsheet and Leading Reach. These tools enable efficient, HIPAA-compliant coordination across care teams.
The respect for privacy is a cornerstone in building trust and success in behavioral health integration for seniors.
Balancing Telemedicine with In-Person Care
While telehealth has expanded access considerably, WellMed recognizes that many seniors still prefer or require in-person care. “As the pandemic winds down, we’re seeing a return to people wanting to see providers face-to-face,” notes Gjerdevig.
For some older adults, the familiarity of an in-person visit and the personal connection it fosters are crucial to engagement and treatment success. WellMed is exploring opportunities to partner with brick-and-mortar behavioral health providers to complement their telemedicine offerings and accommodate patient preferences.
Providing options that meet seniors’ preferences is an important part of behavioral health integration for seniors.
Looking Forward: A Holistic Future for Senior Behavioral Health
WellMed’s journey illustrates the evolving landscape of behavioral health integration in senior care. Their innovative use of partnerships, telemedicine, and technology creates a flexible, patient-centered approach that meets seniors where they are—both literally and figuratively.
By prioritizing ease of referral for PCPs, closing communication loops, respecting patient privacy, and balancing telehealth with in-person options, WellMed is setting a new standard for behavioral health in senior care networks.
As the demand for behavioral health services continues to rise among older adults, models like WellMed’s provide a roadmap for other providers seeking to enhance outcomes through holistic, integrated care.
Behavioral health is no longer a separate silo in healthcare but a vital piece of the puzzle—especially for seniors. With innovative strategies and collaborative partnerships, organizations like WellMed are helping to ensure that behavioral health integration for seniors is accessible, timely, and respectful of the unique needs of older adults.
