Animo Sano Psychiatry Partners with Concert Health to Expand Collaborative Care Access

Jennifer Street

Animo Sano Psychiatry is proud to partner with Concert Health on two national initiatives that expand access to behavioral health care in underserved communities. With the PCORI Implementation Project and the HRSA Behavioral Health Integration Evidence-Based Telehealth Network Program (EB-TNP), we’re working together to provide behavioral health care through the Collaborative Care model to thousands of patients who might not have received treatment when they needed it most.
Expanding Behavioral Health Access
The PCORI Implementation Project, funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, builds on the success of the SPIRIT trial (2016–2020), which showed that Collaborative Care improves outcomes for patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and bipolar disorder. Now, with the University of Washington AIMS Center leading the research, this project is scaling across more than 160 primary care sites in nine states. By 2026, the program is expected to reach over 2,700 patients.
Alongside PCORI, the HRSA Behavioral Health Integration Evidence-Based Telehealth Network Program is bringing Collaborative Care to rural regions in Arkansas, Arizona, Missouri, and Oklahoma. By embedding decision-support tools in electronic medical records and streamlining referral systems, this initiative helps more patients access timely support through telehealth.

A Partnership Built on Collaboration
Concert Health and Animo Sano Psychiatry are working hand in hand to make sure patients stay connected to care:
- Concert Health identifies patients within primary care and manages Collaborative Care workflows.
- Animo Sano Psychiatry provides direct psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and therapy when a higher level of care is needed.
- Referrals are shared twice weekly, and patients are contacted within 48 hours to begin treatment.
This coordination helps ensure that no patient falls through the cracks — a critical step toward building stronger, more equitable systems of care. Virna Little, PsyD, LCSW-r, Co-Founder and Special Advisor at Concert Health, has emphasized how the PCORI and HRSA initiatives reflect a long-term commitment to expanding and strengthening Collaborative Care. Her words highlight what drives this partnership: a shared belief that Collaborative Care should be scalable, sustainable, and rooted in the realities of patient care.
To read Virna’s full comments and explore the full story of this partnership, visit the complete article on Concert Health’s website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the PCORI Implementation Project?
The PCORI project expands Collaborative Care to serve patients with PTSD and bipolar disorder. It spans more than 160 primary care sites across nine states and aims to reach 2,700+ patients by 2026.
Q: How are Concert Health and Animo Sano Psychiatry working together?
Concert Health identifies patients and manages Collaborative Care within primary care practices. Animo Sano Psychiatry provides direct psychiatric support — from diagnostic evaluations to medication management — ensuring patients can access specialized care when needed.
Q: What is the HRSA Telehealth initiative?
HRSA’s program brings Collaborative Care to rural states through telehealth innovation, decision-support tools in medical records, and streamlined referrals. This helps patients in underserved areas connect with behavioral health support faster.
Q: How do these initiatives improve patient care?
Patients gain faster access to treatment, shorter wait times, and better continuity of care. The coordinated approach reduces the risk of patients falling through the cracks when they need support the most.
Q: Why is this partnership important for behavioral health?
It demonstrates that Collaborative Care can be scaled across large systems while still prioritizing patient needs. By combining resources, Concert Health and Animo Sano Psychiatry are advancing integrated care models that will shape the future of behavioral health.
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