Name
Using Psychiatric eConsult to Operationalize the Collaborative Care Model in Rural Colorado Through Medicaid Coverage: A Pilot Implementation
Description
This session describes a pilot implementation of psychiatric eConsult to support the Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) in rural Colorado following the expansion of Medicaid coverage in July 2025. Limited access to psychiatric consultants posed a significant barrier to CoCM adoption in rural practices. Volunteer primary care practice tested the use of existing, no cost psychiatric eConsult services to fulfill the psychiatric consultant role. Attendees will learn how asynchronous consultation was integrated into CoCM workflows and explore implications for rural, Medicaid funded integrated care.
Content Level
All Audience
Session Type
Discussion Group
Objective 1
Describe how psychiatric eConsult can be used to fulfill the psychiatric consultant role within the Collaborative Care Model.
Objective 2
Identify key workflow and policy considerations for implementing CoCM under Medicaid in rural settings.
Objective 3
Apply practical strategies from this pilot to address psychiatric workforce limitations in integrated care programs.
Content Reference 1
Unützer J, et al. (2020). The Collaborative Care Model: An approach for integrating physical and mental health care in Medicaid populations. Health Affairs.
Content Reference 2
Fortney JC, et al. (2021). Telepsychiatry and asynchronous consultation in integrated care. Psychiatric Services
Content Reference 3
Ray KN, et al. (2022). Expanding specialty access through eConsult programs. Journal of General Internal Medicine
Content Reference 4
Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF). (2025). Integrated Care Sustainability Policy: Medicaid coverage of the Collaborative Care Model effective July 1, 2025
Content Reference 5
Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF). (2025). Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) Fact Sheet and billing guidance for Health First Colorado.