Maternal Child Health Grant Funded Programming

At Billings Clinic, we are committed to providing the highest quality healthcare for our patients. With this goal in mind, we are excited to offer integrated behavioral health and collaborative care management services to women and children experiencing behavioral health needs.

The Collaborative Care Model (CoCM):

Research has shown that integrating behavioral health treatment and medication management into primary healthcare is an effective way to manage mental health and substance use recovery. The Collaborative Care model is a team-based approach to manage behavioral health needs and promote whole-person wellness. Your care team includes you, your OB/GYN or Pediatric provider, a behavioral health care manager, a consulting psychiatrist, and a care coordinator.

• You are the most important person on the team! Telling your provider and care manager what is working and what is not will assist you in getting the best care possible. Your OB/GYN or Pediatrician will continue to oversee all aspects of your medical care while the Empaths Program staff work with you to establish personal goals, check in with you regarding your progress, and provide ways to address your needs and concerns.
• The Empaths team and your medical provider will work together closely when a change in your treatment plan is needed. Psychiatric consultation is available to advise your care team about diagnostic questions and treatment options.

CoCM Services:

Collaborative Care Management is not long-term counseling; rather it is short, focused services to help you with your current symptoms and concerns. Services are symptom-specific and tailored to your needs.

Your treatment plan may include the following:

• Brief Check-Ins (phone or in person).
• Talk Treatment: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), behavioral activation, problem-solving treatment, and goal setting.
• Medication Management: Care Manager will consult with a psychiatric consultant who may make recommendations to your prescribing physician.
• Care Coordination: Support in addressing social needs such as housing, transportation, employment, etc.

At your initial visit, you will meet with a care manager to discuss a treatment plan to address symptoms that you and your provider are concerned about. Our goal will be to improve your current symptoms as quickly as possible.

Consent and Financial Information:

Before starting services with the Empaths team, please be aware that there may be costs for either face-to-face and/or non-face-to-face services including case management, therapy, intake visits, telephone contact, and follow-up supports while enrolled in CoCM.

By engaging in Empaths services, you give the billing practitioner (primary care provider, therapist) permission to consult with relevant specialists, including psychiatric consultants.

Codes that may be billed:

• 99484
• 99492
• 99493
• 99494
• 90832
• 90834
• 90837
• 90791

For specific questions or concerns, please contact your insurance provider or Billings Clinic Financial Services at (406) 238-2250 or 1-800-332-7156 ext. 2250.

Empaths Program Staff:

• Stephanie Fitch, MHA, MS, LCPC, LAC, PMH-C
  • Women’s and Children’s Grants Manager | Behavioral Health Specialist
• Holly Demarest, BS, LAC, PMH-C
  • Behavioral Health Care Manager (BHCM) – Women’s Health
• Shawna Sprandel, LCSW
  • Behavioral Health Care Manager (BHCM) - Pediatrics
• Andrew Pilch, CBHPSS
  • Care Manager – Women’s Health and Pediatrics
• Dr. Jennifer “Jiff” McAnally
  • Psychiatric Consultant – Women’s Health
• Dr. Mariela Herrera Rojas
  • Psychiatric Consultant - Pediatrics

Empaths Program Contact Information

If you have questions or would like to speak with someone regarding The Empaths Program, please contact:

• Phone: (406) 435-2624
• Email: empaths@billingsclinic.org

The MOMS Simulation Leadership Academy (SLA) is a comprehensive program designed to equip Montana healthcare professionals with skills in obstetric simulation, including design, implementation, and assessment. Participants will explore diverse perinatal simulation domains, integrate evidence-based practices, and learn to incorporate simulation into routine maternal care and quality improvement efforts. The academy provides tailored training, technical support, and resources to help facilities expand simulation as a tool for managing both physical and behavioral health conditions, ultimately enhancing maternal healthcare and patient outcomes across Montana.

Join the MOMS Simulation Leadership Academy to master the science, design, and evaluation of life-saving perinatal health simulations—empowering you to lead with confidence and expertise.

Enroll Here:https://billings-clinic-mch.thinkific.com/products/courses/MOMSSLA

Billings Clinic is a proud partner of the University of New Mexico and Project ECHO hub site. Project ECHO is a hub and spoke tele-mentoring model developed by the University of New Mexico to meet rural healthcare needs through crowd-sourced didactic presentations, de-identified case presentations and discussion, and the sharing of opinions, advice, and real-time recommendations from an expert panel of healthcare specialists.

NAS Consortium Project ECHO Clinics:

• One Health and Billings Clinic are thrilled to share the launch of the Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Consortium Project ECHO series – a virtual education and networking program that provides case-based learning and review of best practices for professionals caring for substance exposed infants and their families. Beginning in February 2025, NAS Consortium Project ECHO clinics will be held from 12:00 – 1:00 pm on the third Wednesday of each month.
• NAS Consortium Project ECHO clinics are only open to healthcare professionals involved in the care and treatment of substance exposed infants and families in Montana and northern Wyoming. If you are a physician, advanced practitioner, nurse, social worker, or care coordinator working in an obstetric or neonatal care unit (or related setting), we encourage you to attend our clinics and to share your case studies and clinical questions.
• Register for the NAS Consortium

Historical Project ECHO Clinics:

Billings Clinic has facilitated multiple Project ECHO series related to maternal health, psychiatry, and substance use care. Recordings of past clinics can be found at this link: https://vimeo.com/user79620861

Billings Clinic provides technical support to the Recovery Doula Training Program administered by One Health. A recovery doula is a person with lived experience who provides support to families affected by perinatal substance use and/or mental health conditions. The RDTP certification course provides participants the opportunity to complete interactive coursework meant to prepare them to provide compassionate, comprehensive, and ethical birth support to perinatal families impacted by behavioral health conditions and social disparities.

For more information, contact:

• Valerie Lofgren at vlofgren1@billingsclinic.org