Blue KC and New Directions Behavioral Health prove 10.8% population health cost reduction

Becky Gernon, MD

Medical Director
BCBS of Kansas City

Peggy DeCarlis

former COO
New Directions Behavioral Health

Becky Gernon, MD of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City and Peggy DeCarlis, recently retired from New Directions Behavioral Health, report on integrating behavioral health into primary care clinics and their recently published results showing 10.8% population health cost savings. Deployed through Blue KC's Spira Care Clinics, the project also showed reduction in physician burnout which Gernon attributes in part to the integrated behavioral health clinicians helping with medically complex patients.