Evaluation of Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA Foundation Multi-Year Fostering Effective Integration Initiative

The integration of behavioral health and primary care is an essential strategy for realizing the Triple Aim health reform objectives. While there is a substantial evidence base of successful integration models, challenges remain in effective and wide-spread adoption of these models.

JSI will work with the Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) MA Foundation to evaluate integrated behavioral health and primary care approaches for its multi-year integrated care initiative. Building on the learnings from the Foundation’s 2015 Fostering Effective Integration (FEI) of Behavioral Health and Primary Care in Massachusetts grant area, for which JSI conducted an evaluation, the Foundation has recently funded 8 organizations currently integrating behavioral health and primary care. JSI's role is to develop and carry out an evaluation design that emphasizes access, clinical outcomes, and cost as the three key domains to be assessed. Additionally JSI will provide technical assistance to grantees in order to enhance capacity of accurate and efficient data collection. JSI will support the Foundation in its role of promoting integration as an essential strategy in health reform and the platform that the Foundation has in contributing to this state-wide dialogue and activities.