In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, access to face-to-face psychiatric services has not fully returned, prompting Imperial County officials to rely heavily on telemedicine to reach thousands of patients.
The Imperial County Behavioral Health Department, which serves approximately 8,000 patients, has significantly expanded its contract with telehealth provider Orbit Health Corp. to secure psychiatric services and medication management through 2027. The $7.5 million contract, averaging $2.5 million per year, aims to provide mental health services for children, adults, and geriatric patients across various facilities managed by the department. This contract, approved unanimously by the Imperial County Board of Supervisors on August 6, is funded by realignment and Mental Health Service Act funds, without impacting the county’s general fund.
Director of Behavioral Health, Leticia Plancarte-Garcia, who spearheaded the effort, emphasized the importance of continuity of care for Imperial County residents. Plancarte-Garcia, who has been with the department since 1991 and became director in 2021, highlighted the strong relationship with Orbit Health, which has been providing consistent and committed psychiatric services since 2018.
“Because of the relationship that we have developed with them (Orbit) over the years, since 2018, we feel that they’re very strong as far as being committed to our county and really providing some of the best psychiatrists that we work with,” Plancarte-Garcia said. “We believe that continuity of care for our clients is very important. So they are able to really provide doctors that are going to stay with us long term, and that’s not something we have with other providers.”
The reliance on telehealth services increased dramatically during the pandemic, as the county faced a shortage of in-person psychiatrists. Plancarte-Garcia noted that at one point, the department had 10 to 12 in-person psychiatrists, but many left, necessitating a greater dependence on Orbit Health.
This trend is reflective of a national increase in telemedicine use, which rose from 15.4 percent in 2019 to 86.5 percent in 2021, according to a study by the National Center for Health Statistics. Within Imperial County, approximately 35 percent of patients receiving medication services now rely on Orbit doctors.
A key benefit of the partnership with Orbit Health is the provision of child psychiatrists, who are difficult to contract. Plancarte-Garcia stressed the importance of prioritizing child psychiatric care, noting that other counties also struggle with this issue. The contract also addresses the need for forensic and court psychiatrists to evaluate patients for trial eligibility, another area where the county has faced staffing challenges.
The hybrid model of care, involving remote doctors and on-site nurses, has proven effective. Nurses in the clinics handle necessary examinations and maintain constant communication with remote psychiatrists about patient conditions, ensuring comprehensive care.
This approach has made mental health services more accessible and convenient for many patients, allowing appointments to be conducted from home without the need for clinic visits. Plancarte-Garcia praised the flexibility of telehealth, particularly for parents who no longer need to take their children out of school for appointments.
“We really feel that telehealth, when the individuals are able to connect to their doctors, is very similar to being in person,” Plancarte-Garcia said. “People sometimes ask to do telehealth. For some parents, it’s convenient, where they don’t have to be taking their kids out of school and taking time out of work.”
The three-year contract aims to ensure that Imperial County continues to provide consistent, high-quality mental health services, reflecting the strong collaboration between Orbit Health Corp. and Imperial County Behavioral Health. By prioritizing continuity of care, this partnership not only addresses current needs but also sets the foundation for a healthier, more resilient community in the years to come.
Related topics:
