Resources
General
What is the Child Psychiatry Access Network?
The Child Psychiatry Access Network, or CPAN, is a free and trusted mental health resource for Texas’ pediatric clinicians. CPAN offers provider-to-provider consultations related to specific patient concerns or general questions, care coordination, and training to help clinicians identify and treat mental health issues in their young patients.
What can I use CPAN for?
CPAN provides the following support:
• Patient care consultation from a mental health clinician within 30 minutes.
• Vetted and patient-specific resources and referrals within one business day.
• Free continuing medical education (CME) and other learning opportunities.
How much time does it take to use CPAN?
CPAN returns over 98% of its calls within 30 minutes or less. Providers can schedule a callback at their convenience, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m–5 p.m.
Why do I need CPAN?
Today’s youth are facing unprecedented mental health issues and there are not enough pediatric psychiatrists in Texas to meet this need in a timely manner — Some children wait months to be seen. In addition, more children are going to pediatric clinicians for mental health issues. CPAN is here to support those clinicians through peer-to-peer, real-time consultation so they can help their patients get the care they need within their medical home.
How does CPAN benefit children and parents?
CPAN staff provide expert consultations and resources to help providers address their patients’ unique behavioral health needs. No question is too small. Staff can assist with developing a plan based on the information provided to our behavioral specialist team members. Staff can also offer guidance when a child is already on psychotropic medications and the provider would like to review them with a CPAN expert, or they can answer any other behavioral health questions a provider may have.
Cost and billing
How much does CPAN cost to use?
CPAN is funded by the state of Texas and there is no cost to clinicians or families.
Can I bill my time for reimbursement when I use CPAN?
Yes. Consultations with CPAN may be billable based on the time or complexity of the consultation. Just calling CPAN will upgrade a provider’s coding from the external consultation, and they can appropriately bill for their time taking care of their patients.
Can I use CPAN to coordinate patient referrals?
Yes. Please provide CPAN with the child’s date of birth, insurance information, ZIP code and the type of mental health resources they need and CPAN will vet local health and supportive services tailored to the child’s needs. CPAN will respond with referrals within one business day.
Can I refer a child/patient to CPAN for services?
No. CPAN does not provide mental health services directly to patients. The program was developed specifically to support primary care providers.
Who provides CPAN services?
CPAN is a system of 12 hubs located at academic, health-related institutions across Texas. This allows providers to access regional, peer-to-peer, telemedicine-based consultations. Each hub has a dedicated team of mental health professionals ready to provide collaborative care. Pediatric psychiatrists, mental health clinicians and clinical staff can help with any behavioral health care questions or resource referrals a provider requests.
Contacting CPAN
How do I contact CPAN?
Follow the instructions on the Contact Us page of this website, or call 888-901-2726 and follow the prompts for direct routing to your regional team for psychiatry consultation, referrals and resources. You can also email the statewide CPAN/PeriPAN program at COSH@bcm.edu for more information, or to schedule an in-person or virtual presentation about CPAN/PeriPAN services.
What information do you need from me when I call?
Please include the following:
• The reason for the call.
• The patient’s name or initials, date of birth, race, ethnicity, insurance information (if applicable), medical/patient record number (so CPAN/PeriPAN staff can reference the patient in future calls) and patient’s ZIP code (for local provider referrals).
• Provider phone and/or fax number and email for sending referrals and resources.
What times can I call CPAN for help?
Staff are live on the phones Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., except for institutional holidays such as Thanksgiving or Christmas. Providers can also leave a message on our secure voicemail system outside of open hours and receive a callback the next business day.