Missouri Behavioral Health Healthcare Homes Address Serious Mental Illness Through Integrated Care Model

Missouri has implemented Behavioral Health Healthcare Homes to integrate physical and behavioral health services for Medicaid enrollees with serious mental illness. The program aims to reduce the lifespan gap—people with serious mental illness die on average 15-20 years earlier than the general population—by coordinating care and managing chronic conditions. The model targets improved health outcomes while controlling costs through enhanced care coordination and provider partnerships. Missouri's approach offers a replicable framework for other states addressing behavioral health integration under Medicaid.