Editor's note: This story was updated on February 28, 2019. It was first published on Managed Care.

Behavioral health needs are highly prevalent, comorbid with other chronic conditions, and associated with increased clinical care and cost. The 20% of Medicaid patients with behavioral health problems account for 46% of total Medicaid spending on health services. Spending on behavioral health services in total is projected to reach almost $240 billion by 2020, up from about $150 billion in 2009.