DHC and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield® of NJ Team Up to Provide Mental-Physical Pilot Program for Crohn’s Disease

Digestive Healthcare Center (DHC) and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (BCBSNJ)—together with Beacon Health Options (Beacon)—are launching a new and innovative pilot program that integrates mental and physical treatments in order to improve care for patients with Crohn’s disease.

This is the first time Horizon BCBSNJ—the state’s largest insurance provider with over 3.8 million customers—has incorporated a mental health component into one of its “Episodes of Care” programs.

“Bringing a behavioral health component into this episode can help us understand how to improve care for the whole person, which can ultimately enhance the patient experience, improve patient outcomes, and reduce costs,” said Lilli Brillstein, Director, Episodes of Care.

As part of this pilot program, behavioral health professionals from Beacon will train the staff at DHC. Training will consist of how to conduct mental health screenings and follow-up care referrals when applicable. Patient assessments will look for physical symptoms associated with Crohn’s, as well as for mental health issues that may or may not be related to the disorder. Coordinated care among nurses, physicians, laboratory services and any outpatient programs (including counseling or other treatments for emotional issues) will also be instrumental to this initiative.

Click here to read more about this pioneering program.