Can the ACO Primary Care Flex Model help link physical and mental healthcare?

The connection between behavioral health and physical health is well-documented. Physical health is greatly affected by such behaviors as smoking, substance abuse, poor diet, lack of exercise, insufficient sleep and more. In addition, mental health issues and social determinants of health, such as lack of housing or transportation, language barriers, and food insecurity, impact health.

Primary care physicians are well aware of these problems,…