Coordination and Continuum of Care Related to Mental Health – Healthcare Policies NURS FPX 4050 Assessment 4 Final Care Coordination Plan

Coordination and Continuum of Care Related to Mental Health – Healthcare Policies

Several policies significantly impact care coordination related to addressing mental health issues in communities. 

Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA)

This health policy was developed in 2008 to reduce inequalities and disparities in accessing mental health services. Further amended under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) policy, this act instructs health insurance providers to give equal coverage to mental health and substance abuse concerns as provided for other physical health conditions (CMS, n.d.). The provisions of this policy improve healthcare accessibility for patients with mental health illnesses reducing financial barriers, leading to early interventions and improved quality of life through coordination of care. 

21st Century Cures Act

The Cures Act aims to enhance health outcomes for individuals with mental health and substance abuse issues, especially in the criminal population. This act reduces racial disparities and provides equal opportunities for the concerned population so that the continuity of care is maintained and individuals receive equitable access to healthcare (Cole et al., 2018). Furthermore, this legislation also provides funding for mental health initiatives, encouraging coordination and integration of mental health services within primary care settings.

Priorities and Evidence-based Changes in Care Coordination

While engaging in discussions with patients and their families, the care coordinator must establish the priorities to ensure effective communication of the care plan. Comprehensive assessment and goal-setting is an initial priority where the care coordinator will assess patients’ physical, mental, and psychosocial needs.

Engaging the patient and their family member in dialogue allows the coordinator to gain valuable insights into the patient’s medical history, current symptoms, and personal preferences. This approach is essential for providing patient-centered care and establishing realistic and meaningful goals. The need for changes to the plan arises from evidence-based practice. These practices emphasize the importance of individualized care plans targeting specific goals to optimize health outcomes (Bolton et al., 2020). By modifying the plan based on the latest research and clinical guidelines, the care coordinator ensures that the patient’s care is aligned with the best available evidence.

NURS FPX 4050 Assessment 4 Final Care Coordination Plan

Another priority is to provide holistic care that addresses the patient’s physical, emotional, and social well-being. Care coordinators should integrate medical treatments with mental health support, dietary considerations, and lifestyle modifications. A study by Gass (2023) advocated the interconnectedness of physical and mental health and revealed the potential for positive impacts by providing comprehensive care. It is mandated that the changes made to the care plans are based on patient preferences, changing healthcare policies, and growing evidence from various research and studies. This final care coordination plan is based on the preliminary care plan. However, certain modifications have been established based on the recent evidence-based practice guidelines. 

Alignment of Learning Sessions – Best Practices and Healthy People 2030 Objectives

Utilizing evaluative principles from the literature, the learning session content is meticulously compared with established best practices. These best practices include enhancing mental health literacy, establishing community support resources, and introducing mental health education in schools. Moreover, this assessment follows the objectives of Healthy People 2030 related to mental health, which are focused on the prevention, screening, adequate assessment, and effective treatment of mental illnesses (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.). The interventions planned in this assessment revolved around these HP2030 objectives. 

Required revisions are based on enhancing efficacy and relevance. For instance, any gaps observed in the instructional content for awareness sessions and school-based curriculum will be revised by incorporating evidence-based research that bolsters understanding and removes stigmatization. Further modifications will be based on Healthy People 2030 objectives, providing a modern-day context that reinforces health promotion at a wider level. These revisions are crucial as they ensure the learning sessions are harmonized with current research, enhance patient engagement, and contribute to the broader national health agenda.