Behavioral Health Guidelines

Behavioral Health Guidelines are:

• Member-Centered
• Population Outcome Based
• Research-Based Knowledge
• Redefined Through Quality Improvement 
• Compatible with System Policies and Resources

Primary care physicians, specialists and other health care providers are expected to use best practice guidelines in a way that promotes the achievement of desired member outcomes. Best practice guidelines provide research-based knowledge that is intended to work in collaboration with clinical guidelines and service delivery. Best practice guidelines enhance service delivery by ensuring member focused treatment while helping to bridge evidence-based clinical practice research with individualized treatment planning. Our best practice guidelines support in identifying, collecting, evaluating and implementing practices that aid in service delivery that supports member-centered interventions and desired outcomes. The following resources provide additional best practice guidelines. 

1. American Psychiatric Association: Assessment of Older Adults
2. ACAP Practice Parameters: Reactive Attachment Disorder and Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder
3. Veterans Administration (VA)/Department of Defense (DoD) Clinical Practice Guidelines for Major Depressive Disorder 
   • Provider Care Card
4. American Psychological Association: Guidelines for PTSD
5. American Psychological Association: Guidelines for Depression for Youth and Adults
6. American Psychiatric Association: Psychopharmacologic treatment of Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder
7. American Psychiatric Association: Antipsychotic Use to Treat Agitation or Psychosis in Patients with Dementia