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Coordination of Care with your Primary Care Physician

If you are in treatment for mental health or substance abuse problems, coordination of care with your Primary Care Physician (PCP) is important. This means you should let your PCP know if a behavioral health specialist is treating you. This communication can help you avoid having the same procedures or tests repeated. It is also important for your safety, especially if you are taking medicine, and may lead to a better treatment outcome. UPMC Health Plan Behavioral Health Services strongly encourages doctors and therapists to coordinate care with other doctors and therapists who are treating the same person.

The Connection between Physical Health and Behavioral Health

Heart Disease
Heart disease is the most common cause of death in the United States. Depression often occurs in people with heart disease. Treatment for depression is extremely important, as the combination of depression can make heart problems worse.

Diabetes
Diabetes may double the risk of depression. The chances of becoming depressed increase as diabetes gets worse.

Asthma
High levels of anxiety, depression or both can increase a person's risk of developing asthma. Researchers have found that people who reported high levels of nervousness, stress, worry, discouragement and unhappiness were more than two times as likely to develop asthma.

What Can You Do?
Please consider giving permission for your doctors and therapists to communicate with one another about your medical condition(s) and to coordinate your care. If it has been awhile since you have seen your PCP, please consider having an examination at your PCP's office. This is especially important if you are in treatment for a mental health or substance abuse problem. If you are not sure who your PCP is, or you would like to select a different PCP, please call UPMC for Life Member Services at 1-877-539-3080 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., or Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to noon (TTY Line: 1-800-361-2629).

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