Perinatal Psychiatry Access Network

The Perinatal Psychiatry Access Network (PeriPAN) is a free, state-funded program designed to enhance a perinatal provider's ability to provide evidence-based perinatal mental health care and referrals to their patients. This program offers real-time access to a multidisciplinary network of mental health experts, including reproductive psychiatrists and psychologists, for peer-to-peer consultations by phone. It also provides personalized referrals and resources, as well as access to Continuing Medical Education (CME) to help providers enhance their knowledge.

This program, which is evidence-based and clinician-to-clinician, offers several key benefits:

1. Real-Time Access to Experts: PeriPAN connects clinicians to a multidisciplinary network of mental health professionals, including child psychiatrists, in the local region. This allows for timely consultations and advice on how to manage maternal mental health issues.
2. No Cost: There is no charge for either the provider or the patient, making it an accessible resource for practices serving a wide range of patients.
3. Vetted Referrals and Resources: Providers have access to personalized referrals and resources, ensuring that women and families get the care they need in a timely manner.
4. Continuing Medical Education (CME): PeriPAN offers behavioral health Continuing Medical Education (CME) courses to help primary care physicians stay up to date on best practices and evidence-based approaches in maternal mental health care.

PeriPAN is specifically for clinicians such as OB/GYNs, pediatricians, family practice clinicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, midwives, nurses, and other providers who care for perinatal patients. This support ensures that you can confidently manage perinatal mental health concerns and offer your patients the specialized care they need.

Maternal mental health conditions are the most common complications of pregnancy and childbirth. They affect 1 in 5 perinatal women and are the leading underlying cause of pregnancy-related death in the United States. Women who get treatment can and do recover.

• Every Texas county has a persistent shortage of mental health care professionals.
• It is best practice to screen women for mental health conditions during the prenatal and postpartum periods.
• PeriPAN is state-funded, so there is no cost to clinicians or families.

Your time consulting with PeriPAN may be billable. 

• Phone Consultation: Providers can reach a licensed behavioral health specialist by calling (888) 901-2726, pressing 2, then 1. A team member will assist with the consultation right away.
• Texting for Scheduling: Providers can also schedule consults by texting (832) 827-8301. PeriPAN will follow up with a psychiatrist within 30 minutes or at a preferred time.
• Follow-Up: Within 24 hours, the team will send additional resources or a vetted list of referral options to assist with care planning.
• Important Note: The PeriPAN text line is only used for scheduling consultations. Protected health information (PHI) should not be sent via text.

Emergency Situations: If a patient is in crisis or experiencing an emergency, PeriPAN recommends calling 911 or sending the patient to the nearest emergency room.

Enrollment: Any primary care provider in Texas (including OB/GYNs, family practice physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants) who sees women can enroll and utilize PeriPAN services. Our enrollment form, sent via Trayt, is short and easy!

Call us anytime Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT at 1 (888) 901-CPAN (2726), press 2 for South and Southeast Region and 1 for BCM, or email cpaninfo@bcm.edu. Please visit our state website for more information regarding CPAN.

PeriPAN now offers free, one-time consultations with a PeriPAN Reproductive Psychiatrist.

By tapping into the expertise of PeriPAN psychiatrists, healthcare providers can receive valuable guidance and insights, enabling them to comprehensively assess and better understand complex cases, thus refining and optimizing their treatment plans for women.

Requirements to use CPAN Direct


• The woman is not experiencing a mental health emergency (threatening harm to self or others).

• The women/patient gives written consent and agrees to be present during the appointment.

• The treating clinician expects to remain the primary mental health provider.

How to access CPAN Direct

1. Call Baylor College of Medicine PeriPAN at 888-901-2726 (option 2, then option 1).
2. Request to speak with a PeriPAN psychiatrist.
3. Receive a call back from a PeriPAN psychiatrist within 30 minutes.

During this consultation, the PeriPAN psychiatrist will determine if the patient is a good fit for a PeriPAN Direct consultation. If a direct consultation is needed, the psychiatrist will request contact information to schedule the consultation with the family.

Once the evaluation has been completed by a reproductive psychiatrist, PeriPAN will schedule a follow-up consultation call with you to review the recommendations.

Through these direct consults, PCPs can receive expert guidance on diagnostic clarification, treatment adjustments, and tailored recommendations to incorporate into their care. These consultations are designed to address issues like diagnostic uncertainty, treatment non-response, and the development of effective care plans for women experience mental health challenges.

After the consultation, PCPs are expected to continue providing ongoing care, using the recommendations provided, and can rely on PeriPAN for referrals to mental health specialists if needed. This collaborative model ensures women receive timely, expert care, enhancing the ability of primary care providers to address mental health concerns in their practice.