Physical Health-Behavioral Health (PH-BH) Efforts

Your physical, emotional, and behavioral health are all linked. When you boost your mental well-being, your physical well-being can improve, too. And your physical health can improve if you take care of your mental health needs. It is not unusual for someone with a chronic physical condition like diabetes, asthma, or heart disease to also have signs of depression and/or anxiety.

This is why PerformCare would like to talk to the managed care organization (MCO) that covers your physical health. Together, we will make sure you get both the physical and behavioral health care you need. In the Integrated Care Plan Program, we will focus on your wellness and recovery together, looking for gaps in your care. We will also connect you with community help in your neighborhood.

If you would like us to start working with your MCO, please call PerformCare Member Services. Our staff will help you get in touch with a Care Manager.

Pregnancy or postpartum care

Being pregnant can be stressful, and your body goes through a lot of changes during these nine months. Your mood may also vary due to changes in hormone levels. It is not unusual to feel some sadness or to struggle with anxiety. However, if your symptoms last more than a few days, it is important that you get help.

After childbirth, many women also have "baby blues." This is normal and typically goes away within a few weeks when the hormones become stable. Be proactive and take care of yourself by eating well, exercising, reading, or doing yoga. If you have someone to care for the baby, take some time for yourself. If the sadness or anxiety does not go away, call PerformCare Member Services and ask for care management. PerformCare will work jointly with your physical health plan to help you throughout your pregnancy or postpartum and ensure you receive the help you need.

Preventive/routine care

PerformCare is dedicated to giving our HealthChoices members a full range of behavioral health care. PerformCare also supports your physical health plan's efforts in encouraging you to get the right preventive and routine care you need. It is important that you and your family receive care to avoid getting sick. Also, feeling physically ill can affect your mood and thoughts.

To learn more about connecting to a primary care provider (PCP) and what immunizations, tests, exams, and dental care are available for you and your family, call your physical health plan. Remember, your PCP is always the first place to call if you have questions about your health. Many of the plans also have a Nurse Call Line available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help with health questions.

If you have a physical or behavioral health need where you need to be seen immediately, please go to the emergency room (ER). If you are not sure if you need to be seen in the ER, call your PCP if it is a physical concern. If it is related to your behavioral health needs, call your behavioral health provider and they will direct you.

If it is not an emergency, here is why going to the ER may not be the best solution:

• Right now, many people go to the ER instead of their doctor's office due to COVID-related illnesses and the flu. This may put you at risk.
• Your doctor knows you best and knows your medical history. Your doctor knows which tests and medicine make the most sense for you.
• You can work with your PCP to find the best time to call the office and how to reach the doctor when the office is closed.
• You may not get your answer from the doctor's office until later in the day or the next day, but that is better than spending a whole day waiting in the ER.

Some physical health plans have an urgent care benefit. Call your plan or check their website for directions. If you know your physical health plan but are unsure of their number, here is a list of physical health plan numbers. If you have both Medical Assistance and Medicare, and are an older adult, or someone with physical disabilities, you may be in the Community HealthChoices program. Here is a list of Community HealthChoices plans and their numbers.

If you are unsure which physical health plan you have or if you have a Community HealthChoices plan, call PerformCare Member Services for assistance.

Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs)

FQHCs are nonprofit health care providers that can offer many services in one building. They can treat your medical needs, do bloodwork, provide medication, and connect you with social and behavioral health services. If you would like to be treated holistically at an FQHC, find the nearest one on our list of FQHCs and their phone numbers (PDF) and give them a call. PerformCare covers any behavioral health services offered at FQHCs.

Mobile psychiatric nursing

This is another way PerformCare can treat physical and behavioral health needs. Some members who have complex medical conditions and serious persistent mental illness have nurses visit them in their homes. Nurses review medications, assess medical conditions and help members work on recovery-oriented goals. This is offered in the following counties: Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and Perry. If you believe this level of care would help you, please call PerformCare Member Services.

Natural supports toolkits

For individuals with a behavioral health illness, these toolkits help their natural supports understand the link between physical and behavioral health.

Natural supports can be family members, such as spouses, parents or guardians, friends, partners, neighbors, and paid helpers. Natural supports play a key role in the support of people with a behavioral health illness.

• Natural Supports Toolkit: Understanding the Links Between Physical and Behavioral Health — Adult Guide PDF
• Natural Supports Toolkit: Understanding the Links Between Physical and Behavioral Health — Child and Adolescent Guide PDF

Self-management tools

Keep both your mind and body healthy. Use these resources to help manage your health.