BHOP services now available in primary care clinics

Most people are not aware that they can receive behavioral health support in their primary care clinic for a wide variety of mental health and medical conditions. It is estimated that 43.7 million adults suffer from a mental health condition each year in the United States. Approximately 67 percent of those adults never seek care from any professional. Of those who seek care, the majority seek services from their primary care manager. Integrated primary care behavioral health consultation is a premium service for our beneficiaries. Most health care systems in the United States do not have these services available. The Department of Defense has mandated the integration of psychologists and social workers into primary care teams to provide behavioral health consultation to Airmen, veterans and their dependents. 

In the Air Force we call this program the Behavioral Health Optimization Program (BHOP). BHOP services are not considered mental health treatment. BHOP is a consultation service within primary care designed to target any issue affecting optimal functioning, and is similar to when a primary care manager refers a patient to a specialist when needed. It is available to everyone who has a PCM at the med group, and includes active duty, dependents, retirees and retiree dependents. The BHOP providers will also refer patients to a specialty mental health clinic when appropriate. Air Force data shows that 9 out of 10 patients can be effectively treated within BHOP and never receive a referral to a mental health clinic.

Before seeking care from the on-base Mental Health Clinic or a community Tri-Care mental health provider, consider first seeking assistance from your Family Health Clinic’s Internal Behavioral Health Consultant (IBHC). Last year, nearly 35,000 Air Force beneficiaries benefited from seeing the IBHC at least once. Brief consultation is now available for a variety of topics, including:

• Improving sleep

• Managing anxiety and worry

• Weight management

• Coping with chronic illness

• Managing stress     

• Improving attention and concentration

• Coping with personal stressors

• Tobacco cessation

• Improving mood

• Coping with chronic pain

• Increasing motivation

• Improving relationships

Feel free to contact your primary care clinic at any time to make an appointment, or simply ask your PCM for an introduction.

To make an appointment directly with the Behavioral Consultant, call (405) 734-2778.