Behavioral Health Integration (BHI)

Behavioral Health Integration allows primary care practices to bill Medicare for integrating mental health services into primary care. Learn eligibility, billing, and implementation.

By AJ Pakpour — The Business of Modern Medicine™

Educational Summary

Behavioral Health Integration (BHI) is a Medicare program that reimburses primary care practices for integrating behavioral health services — mental health and substance use disorder care — into the primary care setting.

The program recognizes a fundamental reality of primary care: most patients with mental health conditions are seen first — and often exclusively — by their primary care provider. BHI creates a billing pathway for the care coordination, care planning, and ongoing management that primary care practices provide for these patients.

BHI covers a range of services including systematic assessment of behavioral health conditions, development of a care plan, ongoing monitoring, and coordination with behavioral health specialists. The program does not require a psychiatrist or psychologist on staff — it is designed for primary care practices that provide integrated behavioral health support.

For primary care practices, BHI represents both a clinical opportunity and a revenue stream. The program pays monthly for enrolled patients, and the care activities it covers are largely things primary care teams are already doing — just not billing for.

Key Takeaways

• ✓BHI reimburses primary care practices for integrating behavioral health into primary care
• ✓No psychiatrist or psychologist required — designed for primary care teams
• ✓Covers systematic assessment, care planning, monitoring, and specialist coordination
• ✓Monthly billing creates recurring revenue for enrolled patients
• ✓Addresses the reality that most mental health care happens in primary care settings