Research results published in magazines this month American Managed Care Journal We examine how integrating behavioral health care into primary care can improve outcomes and increase cost-effectiveness for adults with depression, anxiety, and chronic pain receiving long-term opioid treatment.
Care was provided via telehealth by a multidisciplinary team of community health workers, licensed clinical social workers, and clinical pharmacists. Eboni Price-Haywood, MD, MPH, MMM, FACP, System Medical Director for Health Outcomes and Inclusion at Ochsner Health, is the lead author.
About research
This study was conducted to compare the cost-effectiveness of behavioral health integration (BHI) in primary care and usual care (clinical decision support) in adult patients with depression and/or anxiety receiving chronic opioid therapy for non-cancer pain.
Researchers analyzed data from 632 adult patients in Louisiana in a trial conducted from April 2019 to June 2022. They used decision tree analysis to assess costs associated with interventions, acute care, outpatient visits, and prescriptions. Health outcomes were measured using quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and opioid dose reductions (measured as morphine equivalent daily dose (MEDD)).
Main findings
Better value for better health: Behavioral health integration costs $10,489.19 per patient per year, compared to $5,673.96 for usual care. Although BHI was more expensive upfront, it resulted in 0.0439 additional QALYs and an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $108,784 per QALY. This is a cost-effective option as it falls within the US-based willingness-to-pay range of $100,000 to $150,000 per QALY.
Reduction in opioid use: Patients in the BHI group reduced their opioid dosage by 7.3 mg/day, compared to an increase of 2.0 mg/day in patients receiving usual care. The cost of reducing opioid use by 1 mg/day was $514, highlighting the effectiveness of BHI in addressing opioid dependence.
Cost drivers: Prescription medications (such as antidepressants and painkillers) and visits to primary care providers and social workers were the biggest cost drivers. Sensitivity analysis confirmed that these were the factors most influencing cost-effectiveness.
Smarter care, lower costs: By moving care to more affordable settings and reducing reliance on emergency and acute care, BHI supports the goals of expanding access and improving quality.
Integrating behavioral health into primary care not only improves patient outcomes but also addresses critical gaps in access to mental health services. This study shows that investing in multidisciplinary care teams and telemedicine can lead to smarter, more sustainable healthcare delivery. ”
Eboni Price-Haywood, MD, MPH, MMM, FACP, lead study author and system medical director, Health Outcomes and Inclusion, Ochsner Health
conclusion
Integrating behavioral health in primary care is a cost-effective approach from a health system perspective. Not only does it improve mental health outcomes, but it also reduces opioid use and prescription drug costs, which are the main drivers of savings. This model of care highlights how targeted investments in mental health can improve healthcare delivery.
sauce:
Reference magazines:
Xuan, D. others (2026) Cost-effectiveness of integrated behavioral health for depression, anxiety, and chronic pain. American Managed Care Journal. DOI:10.37765/ajmc.2026.89913. https://www.ajmc.com/view/cost-effectness-of-integrated-behavioral-health-for-depression-anxiety-and-chronic-pain.
