Primary Care Coordination Massachusetts | Better Connected Care Starts With Communication
Your mental health and your physical health aren’t separate stories. When your primary care provider and psychiatrist can talk to each other, with your authorization, your treatment plan can finally read as one story instead of two.
What Is Primary Care Coordination?
Primary care coordination is the appropriate, authorized exchange of relevant information between your primary care provider and your psychiatrist so that both clinicians understand the full picture of your care.
In practice, this can mean your psychiatrist and primary care provider (PCP) are aware of things like your relevant medical history, current medications, psychiatric treatment considerations, and any changes that might affect your broader care plan. It does not mean your records are shared automatically or that every patient needs this kind of communication — it happens with your consent and in line with applicable privacy requirements.
Coordination can touch on:
- Relevant medical history that may affect psychiatric treatment
- A current, accurate medication list
- Psychiatric treatment considerations and recommendations
- Referrals between your providers
- Follow-up needs after a change in treatment
- Updates that may affect your overall care plan
Who’s Involved?
You decide what’s shared and authorize it.
Your PCP manages your overall physical health.
Your psychiatrist manages your psychiatric evaluation and treatment.
Coordination is the bridge between them — not a replacement for either.
What Would It Feel Like to Have Your Whole Care Team Finally on the Same Page?
No more repeating your history to every new provider. No more wondering if your psychiatrist knows what your doctor knows. Just one coordinated plan, built around you — start with a two-minute form.
- Virtual psychiatric care, available throughout Massachusetts
- Coordination with your existing PCP, only with your authorization
- Care led by a board-certified psychiatrist
- No pressure — this form simply starts the conversation
“My whole focus is in helping people have the kinds of tools and the ability to live the life that rewards them.”
Dr. Sophia Maurasse, MD
Why Does Primary Care and Psychiatry Collaboration Matter?
Physical health and mental health aren’t separate systems — collaboration can help each clinician see the broader clinical picture and may reduce the feeling of fragmented care.
Medications prescribed by one provider can interact with conditions or treatments managed by the other. A physical symptom can be connected to anxiety or depression, and a psychiatric symptom can sometimes point to something medical. When appropriate, communication between your providers can help avoid duplicated efforts and may support a more consistent treatment plan — particularly when clinically appropriate and authorized by you.
This kind of collaborative model is described as a component of behavioral health integration by federal health agencies, and Massachusetts has invested in statewide infrastructure to support appropriate clinical information sharing between providers. See the Massachusetts-specific resources further down this page.
WHAT MASSACHUSETTS PSYCHIATRY DOES
Mental Health Clinic Massachusetts Services
Massachusetts Psychiatry offer various therapeutic services to support your mental and emotional wellbeing.
When Can Coordinated Psychiatric Care Be Helpful?
Multiple Medications
You take several medications, and it may help for your PCP and psychiatrist to be aware of all of them.
A Medical Condition Is in the Picture
A medical condition may affect which psychiatric treatments make sense for you.
Overlapping Symptoms
You’re experiencing both physical and emotional symptoms that seem connected.
A PCP Recommends Evaluation
Your primary care provider has suggested a psychiatric evaluation.
Treatment Changes
A change in psychiatric treatment may be relevant to your broader care plan.
Adolescent Transitions
A teenager is moving between pediatric and adult care and multiple providers are involved.
What Can a Psychiatrist and Primary Care Provider Share?
Information sharing between your providers is meant to be relevant, appropriate, and — where required — authorized by you. It is never automatic. It’s also expected to be consistent with applicable privacy laws and professional standards, and focused specifically on supporting safe, coordinated care rather than sharing your full record.
Depending on your situation and your authorization, this can include a medication list, relevant diagnoses, a treatment summary, specific recommendations, follow-up considerations, or clinically relevant concerns.
What Is the Difference Between Coordinated Care and a Simple Referral?
| Simple Referral | Coordinated Care |
|---|---|
| Primarily connects you to another clinician | Creates an opportunity for ongoing communication between clinicians |
| You may manage the transition between providers yourself | Providers can communicate directly when appropriate |
| Information may remain fragmented across providers | Relevant information can be shared appropriately, with your authorization |
| Focuses mainly on access to another service | Focuses on continuity across your whole care team |
| Limited ongoing collaboration may occur | Collaboration can continue when clinically appropriate |
How Does Primary Care Collaboration Work Virtually?
Yes, when clinically appropriate and with the necessary patient authorization, a virtual psychiatrist may communicate with your primary care provider to support a coordinated treatment plan.
Massachusetts Psychiatry provides virtual psychiatric care throughout Massachusetts. Your psychiatric evaluation, follow-up appointments, and any appropriate communication with your existing PCP can all happen without an in-person office visit. Virtual care doesn’t replace your primary care provider, and it isn’t a substitute for emergency services.
Dr. Sophia L. Maurasse, MD
Dr. Sophia L. Maurasse, MD is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in General Psychiatry and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. With over a decade of clinical experience, she is known for her thoughtful, evidence-based, and trauma-informed approach to mental health care. Dr. Maurasse believes in building collaborative relationships with patients, creating personalized treatment plans that respect each individual’s experiences, goals, and overall well-being while supporting lasting mental wellness.
Where Does Massachusetts Psychiatry Provide Virtual Care?
Virtual care allows patients throughout Massachusetts, including communities such as the ones below, to access psychiatric services without traveling to an office.
Quincy
TESTIMONIALS
In Their Own Words
FAQs – Primary Care Coordination Massachusetts
How Is Patient Privacy Protected During Care Coordination?
Any communication between your primary care provider and psychiatrist is expected to follow applicable privacy requirements, including HIPAA, and to reflect your authorization for what may be shared. You can ask your care team what specifically will be communicated before it happens.
Can my psychiatrist communicate with my primary care provider?
Yes, when clinically appropriate and with your authorization, your psychiatrist may share relevant information with your PCP to support one coordinated treatment plan.
Does my psychiatrist replace my primary care doctor?
No. Your psychiatrist manages your psychiatric evaluation and treatment; your PCP continues to manage your overall physical health.
Does primary care coordination work with virtual psychiatry?
Yes. Appointments and appropriate provider communication can both happen without an in-person office visit.
Can primary care and psychiatric care be coordinated for adolescents?
How Can Coordinated Psychiatric Care Support Your Next Step?
Primary care coordination in Massachusetts is ultimately about communication — making sure the clinicians treating you can, with your authorization, see the same picture instead of working from separate ones. It doesn’t replace your primary care provider, and it isn’t required for every patient, but for many people it can make treatment feel more connected and less repetitive. Massachusetts Psychiatry offers virtual psychiatric care throughout the state and can work alongside your existing primary care provider when it’s useful to your care.