Improving access to mental health care for Medicaid patients in community health centers
Official title: Measuring Behavioral Health Integration in Community Health Centers to Improve Access, Equity, and Outcomes for Medicaid Enrollees
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11129851 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how community health centers can improve mental health care for people on Medicaid by finding out what gets in the way of combining mental health services with regular doctor visits, so that everyone can get the help they need more easily.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | July 2, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $636,353 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH134830-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11129851 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Medicaid enrollees who are experiencing mental health issues and are seeking care through community health centers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not enrolled in Medicaid or those who do not utilize community health centers may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how community health centers can better integrate behavioral health services into primary care for Medicaid enrollees. It aims to identify the barriers that prevent effective integration and assess the impact of policies on service delivery. By analyzing a unique dataset that combines practice-level information with national Medicaid claims, the study seeks to understand which patients benefit from integrated services and how these services affect health outcomes. The ultimate goal is to enhance access and equity in mental health care for underserved populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved access to mental health services for Medicaid patients, resulting in better health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that integrating behavioral health into primary care can improve patient outcomes, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sabbatini, Amber Kathleen — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Sabbatini, Amber Kathleen
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.