Identifying and responding to patients’ social needs is an integral part of the work of VHAN’s Care Navigators. In a recent phone conversation with a VHAN RN Care Navigator, a 38-year-old female patient living in East Tennessee reported multiple social and financial barriers to her continuity of care. A kidney transplant recipient, she had recently lost her father to COVID-19, and she was having difficulty managing her health condition, finding work and paying bills. Read the full article to learn more about how VHAN’s Care Management team helped this patient during a difficult time.

To manage utilization while maintaining quality of care, VHAN is introducing the Geriatric Resources for the Assessment and Care of Elders (GRACE) Program, an evidence-based model to improve quality while controlling costs for older patients with complex care needs.

According on an American Psychological Association survey with psychologists in 2022, the demand for mental health treatment continues to rise

During a recent checkup call with a 75-year-old male patient with a history of stroke, a VHAN RN Care Navigator talked to the patient’s wife, who spoke of feeling stressed and overwhelmed. After working full-time and serving for some time as the primary income provider, she was exhibiting classic signs of caregiver burnout—exhaustion combined with feelings of hopelessness and isolation. Read the full article to learn more about how VHAN’s Care Management team helped this caregiver navigate a difficult situation.

Modeled after VHAN’s Pediatric Behavioral Consult Line, which has fielded more than 2,000 phone calls since launching in 2018, VHAN is launching a similar line later this year to assist clinicians with adults who need behavioral health support. The new Adult Behavioral Health Consult Line will be managed by Shannon Brown, LCSW, who will be […]

During a recent Pediatrics Champion Call, Kylie Cormier, MD, from Old Harding Pediatrics Associates (OHPA), shared best practices for capturing a yearly chlamydia screening from eligible patients. This important screening is part of the pediatric modifier for 2022, and it is also a required quality measure for many payors. Dr. Cormier and her colleagues have streamlined the screening process, while ensuring that patients and parents feel as comfortable as possible.

VHAN’s Pediatric Behavioral Health Consult Line is a vital benefit for pediatric providers, connecting practices to licensed clinical social workers who help customize patient care plans, navigate community resources and provide guidance on screening tools. Since launching the consult line in 2018, VHAN social workers have fielded more than 2,000 calls—an impressive milestone.

For every 10 people who visit a doctor, it’s estimated that seven are seeking care for behavioral health-related reasons, such as depression, anxiety, diabetes management, weight loss or substance abuse. VHAN’s Care Management team facilitates collaborative care that is designed to bridge the gap between physical and mental health care, delivering the right kind of care where and when it is needed.

Recently, VHAN Social Workers were able to create a coordinated plan for psychiatric care, anger management and medication management while providing a patient with the support and encouragement he needed to take proactive steps to manage his physical and mental health.

Currently, 19.86% of adults in the United States are experiencing a mental illness—equivalent to nearly 50 million Americans. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, VHAN has compiled a list of tools we offer to our members, many of whom are helping patients navigate a mental health disorder or dealing with increased stress and anxiety themselves.