Pursuing the goals of the Affordable Care Act

By Carl Clark, MD,
President & CEO of the WellPower

The WellPower is moving forward with the goals of the Affordable Care Act. The main goal is to change our health care system from a “sick” care system to a true “Health” Care system by helping people stay healthy instead of waiting until they are ill. We know that people with serious mental illness on average die 25 years sooner than their peers because of inadequate access to general health care. Our new Recovery Center offers primary care services for people who do not have a primary care provider. Better access to health care means people can expect to live longer.

We also are providing mental health services in primary care practices. If someone has a general health condition and any mental illness their cost of care is 3-5 times higher than someone without a mental illness. This is because in general, their mental health needs are not being met and this results in poorer outcomes. For example, if a teenager develops diabetes and has depression, their ability to take care of their diabetes will be impaired if the depression is not also treated. It is difficult to learn how to take care of yourself when you are depressed. Depression and anxiety feel like general health problems and most people will go to their primary care doctor first to help them figure out what is wrong. By being in the primary care clinics, our clinicians can quickly start someone on a course of treatment for their mental health needs.

-Dr. Carl Clark | @mhcd_drclark

For more information…

Listen health reporter Eric Whitney’s story referencing our integrated care solutions on the Colorado Public Radio Website here.

Read more about the WellPower’s approach to integrated healthcare here.