Aligning Medicaid and Behavioral Health in Virginia

“Reach out to other states who have [created cross-agency partnerships] and ask, ‘What did you do to make this successful?’, ‘How did you get over this hurdle?’ We always ask other states where the potholes are, so we don’t fall in.” – Adrienne Fegans, Deputy of Programs and Operations, Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Service

Cross-sector collaboration is essential for addressing critical issues faced by state Medicaid and behavioral health agencies, such as behavioral health provider shortages and funding challenges. In this new episode of the Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast, representatives from Virginia’s Behavioral Health division and Medicaid discuss the intricacies of aligning their programs to meet shared goals and better serve enrollees. The episode explores how involving cross-agency teams at the beginning of efforts to design, implement, or improve programs can streamline processes across agencies and for enrollees. It examines the value of fostering leadership at every staff level to effectively guide collaborative efforts.

This episode of Medicaid Leadership Exchange features Kyla Patterson, MS, Early Intervention Program Manager, Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, and Adrienne Fegans, Deputy of Programs and Operations, Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Service. It is hosted by Gretchen Hammer, MPH, principal, Public Leadership Group and consultant, National Association of Medicaid Directors.

State leaders across health, human services, and other agencies — including Medicaid, early childhood, public health, child welfare, among others — are uniquely positioned to develop programs and services that support the health and well-being of people in their state. Despite the shared goal of helping individuals and communities to thrive, however, agencies often operate in siloes or in misaligned ways that create challenges for the people they serve.

The Aligning State Systems for Improved Health and Well-Being Outcomes framework can serve as a practical guide for state leaders looking to better align state systems and improve health and well-being outcomes.