Evaluation

MHIP was designed to be results-oriented. Clinical activity and patient outcomes were tracked in a Web-based registry so care teams could see who was improving, who needed follow-up, and whose treatment needed to change.

20,000+patients served in the program's early years

11,000+patients receiving psychiatric case consultation

Statewideimplementation in Washington safety-net clinics

Quality aims

Program evaluation emphasized practical measures tied to the Collaborative Care model:

Timely follow-up after enrollment
Regular measurement of depression, anxiety, and functioning
Psychiatric case review for patients who were not improving
Treatment adjustment when clinical targets were not met
Documented improvement in symptoms and care-plan goals

Pay for performance

MHIP linked part of clinic payment to selected quality measures. Measures were updated as performance improved, keeping attention on the care processes most closely connected with patient outcomes.

Continuous improvement

Registry reports supported caseload review at the patient, clinic, and program levels. This feedback helped teams identify gaps, compare performance over time, and focus limited psychiatric resources on patients with the greatest need.