Question 1

What is MC3 Perinatal?

Accepted Answer

The MC3 perinatal program offers psychiatry support to primary care providers in Michigan who are managing perinatal patients from preconception to 12 months postpartum with behavioral health problems (e.g. depression, anxiety, PTSD).
Psychiatrists are available through same-day phone consultations to offer guidance on:
 • diagnostic questions
 • medication recommendations
 • appropriate psychotherapy or other non-pharmacological modalities
Your local MC3 Perinatal Behavioral Health Consultant is also available to provide recommendations and referrals for regional community-based resources.

Question 2

How does it work?

Accepted Answer

• The treating provider or clinic designee initiates the consult with a phone call to the Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC), a master’s-level mental health professional based locally, or submits a consultation request through our secure web-based form. 
 • The BHC triages the referral, responds to any questions that are within the scope of his/her expertise, and forwards appropriate cases to the MC3 psychiatrist for same-day phone consultation. In cases that are deemed urgent, the BHC will suggest local resources for referral.
 • Upon completion of the consultation between the psychiatrist and treating provider, a written summary of the consultation is sent to the provider along with relevant local resources or referrals. 
 • As a follow-up to the phone consultation, telepsychiatry evaluations are available as a one-time consultation if the PCP and MC3 psychiatrist determine the patient’s care would benefit from this service. This is the only MC3 Perinatal service that is billed to the patient’s insurance so the patient must have an insurance that is accepted by Michigan Medicine.
 • Phone availability for U of M psychiatrists and local BHCs is Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding holidays.

Question 3

Why use MC3 Perinatal?

Accepted Answer

MC3 Perinatal aims reduce the number of untreated and underdiagnosed perinatal mood disorders. MC3 Perinatal builds the capacity of frontline providers throughout Michigan to have the skills and resources to treat mild to moderate behavioral health conditions and provides a bridge to appropriate services for those with severe conditions. We expand access to the limited supply of perinatal psychiatrists and behavioral health consultants (BHCs) across the entire state of Michigan.

Question 4

What does MC3 Perinatal cost?

Accepted Answer

This service is available free of charge to any Michigan resident. If using the one-time patient tele-psychiatry evaluation (as an adjunct to same-day phone consultation), patient insurance must be accepted by the Michigan Medicine Department of Psychiatry.

Question 5

Who can use MC3 Perinatal?

Accepted Answer

Primary care providers in Michigan are eligible to participate in the program. This includes MDs, DOs, NPs, PAs and CNMs in pediatric, family medicine and OB/GYN practices. As part of their participation, they will be asked to sign a Provider Agreement (online form available) that outlines program services and respective responsibilities. As an additional educational resource, participating primary care providers will be able to access live virtual trainings with free CMEs.  Recorded learning modules are also available on the program website in addition to tools and resources to assist providers in their practice.
Non-prescribers can join educational events and access other offerings and resources as well as workflow analysis to better integrate screening, care coordination, and MC3 services.

Question 6

What is not included?

Accepted Answer

MC3 perinatal is not an emergency service. Emergency consultations over the phone or in person are not provided. If a PCP calls about a case requiring an urgent intervention, the Behavioral Health Consultant can offer appropriate resource recommendations. 
U of M psychiatrists do not prescribe medication or provide ongoing treatment, but rather support primary care providers as they provide care. For those cases beyond the scope of the provider, the BHC and psychiatrist will offer referrals to local or regional clinicians.

Question 7

What is the MC3 Perinatal Expansion initiative?

Accepted Answer

MC3 Perinatal has received funding through Governor Whitmer’s Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies to improve maternal health throughout Michigan. This funding will expand MC3 Perinatal by:
 • Expanding engagement of perinatal providers across Michigan in MC3 Perinatal and increasing enrollment of perinatal providers in southeast Michigan
 • Integrating High Touch, High Tech (HT2) (Mommy Check-up App) and access to additional specially trained regional Behavioral Health Consultants (BHCs) in high-risk counties
 • Supporting creation of a virtual, interactive perinatal toolkit including resources for both providers and patients

Question 8

Where can I find more information?

Accepted Answer

For more information, click "Learn More" below or visit the MC3 website: https://mc3.depressioncenter.org