Alegent Creighton Health is partnering with two western Iowa organizations to provide an Integrated Health Home program.
Children’s Square and Heartland Family Service are also part of the federally-based program. It’s not an actual home, but rather a service, for Medicaid-eligible adults and children in Iowa with mental illness. An integrated health home team coordinates care for people with mental illness who also have physical ailments.
Marilyn Rhoten, Director of Ambulatory Behavioral Health Services for Alegent Creighton, says there’s a significant correlation between mental and physical health.
"About 68 percent of adults with mental health conditions also have chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity. 29 percent of adults with medical conditions also have a mental health condition. So about a third of the patients who are seen in a primary care physician’s office also have a mental health condition."
Rhoten says the goals are to reduce hospital re-admissions, and anticipate needs before they happen. The integrated health home program is currently in 13 states.