Courtney Wandeloski’s Post

Marrying #primarycare and #behavioralhealth may be revolutionary for the feds but #directprimarycare available for 35m at work has this bundled in because jumbo employers drove demand. A former leader of the Texas Academy of Family Physicians told me 85% of his day was behavioral health related. increasingly #msk is part of the DPC bundle offered. Excerpt Community-based behavioral health providers, including public and private practices, opioid treatment programs and safety net providers will form inter-professional care teams to integrate previously siloed services. Behavioral health providers participating in the program will be equipped with resources to screen and provide basic primary care services and meet health-related social needs. Resources will include infrastructure payments, electronic health records (EHRs), technical assistance and a predictable value-based payment model. “The IT [aspect] is probably the most intriguing and interesting part of this to me,” Lindo said. “If you get the right systems that have certain measurement-based care tools, then it’s going to allow connection with other providers and enable provider-based outcomes.” https://lnkd.in/gKNZd4Mv

Behavioral Health Collaboration Reduces Emergency Department Length of Stay by 64% — MediaContacts.co — Focus on timely #transfer for acute behavioral #health #patients improves #patient #safety and outcomes CINCINNATI, #June #11 #2024 A #recent #collaboration between Conduit Health #Partners and #Mercy Health — #Springfield #Regional #Medical #Center has significantly streamlined #care #transfers of behavioral health patients from the #emergency department #ED to appropriate care settings. #Early #data demonstrates #strong efficacy of the collaboration, which resulted in a #64 reduction in ED length of #stay speeding time to treatment and improving overall staff and patient safety. ED environments have experienced a high increase in patients presenting with behavioral health needs in recent years. This substantially increases health care costs and places a significant strain on EDs that are not staffed or resourced for the number of days of boarding that can be needed for acute behavioral health patients grappling with suicidal ideation. "This successful initiative speaks for itself at a time when EDs are struggling to manage growing numbers of behavioral health patients," said Dominique Wells, COO, Conduit Health Partners. "Conduit has delivered an improved care process that enhances ED safety and patient outcomes." "Like many EDs across the country, we faced significant challenges getting behavioral health patients transferred to the right setting and level of care in a timely manner. This slowed down the care process for acute behavioral health patients in need of more appropriate therapeutic environments," said Frank Farkash, DNP, RN, ACNP-BC, with Bon Secours Mercy Health. "Using its nurse-first transfer services, the Conduit team helped us design workflows to improve and streamline the transfer process as well as empowered us with invaluable data-driven insights. Our team is very pleased with the expansion of the workflows to the other emergency departments in the market." Conduit's nurse-driven model uses data to predict and manage patient volume to avoid delays in the delivery of care. This includes direct admissions, physician-to-physician consultations and emergency medical services

Facilities are citing #acutecare as easier to staff than behavioral health #inpatientcenters. with inability to fill over the last few years, (increased demand, decreasing physician candidate pools, paired with a 19% YoY increase in salary expectations) companies nationwide are glad to see labor trends improving but it's nowhere near close to a solve. creative solutions and total system optimization can be effective and improve #clinicaloutcomes. The largest expansion of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services's #mentalhealthservices in a generation can provide a critical lifeline to America's seniors — if enough providers sign up. How it can help: Starting Jan. 1, ~ 400,000 marriage and #familytherapists and mental health counselors for the first time were able to accept Medicare payments, following years of #advocacy and amid a mental health crisis that has weighed heavily on America's aging population, which is currently growing faster than any other age bracket. Medicare for decades has covered #psychiatrists, #psychologists, #socialworkers and services provided by some other mental health professionals. But many refuse to see #medicarepatients because of low reimbursement and bureaucratic headaches. Following Congressional action last fall (yes, those guys actually get some things done), CMS finalized procedures to allow #MarriageandFamilyTherapists and #MentalHealthCounselors (including addictioncounselors or alcohol and drug counselors who meet all the requirements to be a Mental Health Counselor) to enroll as Medicare providers These providers, representing about 40% of the country's #mentalhealthworkforce have been largely shut off to #medicareenrollees who couldn't afford to pay out of pocket. Its the beginning, but it is only that. #axios #cms #congressionalaction #behavioralhealth #mentalhealth #accesstocare #empoweringthefutureofcare #amnhealthcare #beckershealthcare #uhs #acadia #creatingsolutions #wholesystem #holisticsolve #communitybasedcare #ruralamerica #seniorcare #medicare #congress Universal Health Systems Will DeCuyper Acadia Healthcare Andrew Diffenbaugh ♛ Behavioral Health Business Becker's Healthcare Axios

In this article about healthcare workers who witness care disparities, the author discusses training for staff on how to spot disparities in patient care and suggests anonymous ways to report it if a team member witnesses a coworker discriminating against a patient. We are called to do better in healthcare, and we must hold our fellow team members accountable and to a higher standard. Leadership shadowing and rounding should include probing questions if something in the care plan is lacking. There should be provider peer reviews and a zero-tolerance approach if treatment is altered or withheld without a clear medical reason. We have to support the frontline workers and encourage them to speak up against this if they see it. #HealthEquity #PopulationHealth #leadership Article credit: usatoday, Ken Alltucker

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has unveiled an extensive blueprint for Behavioral Health Integration. Our blog explores how this new policy prioritizes bolstering system capacity, enhancing accessibility, and fostering innovation in the realm of behavioral healthcare. Read more here - https://bit.ly/4aaIpNe #behavioralhealth #mentalhealth #healthcare #behavioralhealthcare #Integratedbehavioralhealth #hhs #healthandhumanservices #cms #mentalhealthcare #hospitals #healthsystems #medicalpractices #treatmentfacilities #publichealth #communityhealth #integratedcare #healthcareleaders #healthcareinnovation #healthcaretechnology #healthcareai #physicians #doctors #mentalhealthprofessionals

Beginning on January 1, 2024, a groundbreaking shift transformed mental healthcare accessibility for over 65 million Americans enrolled through Medicare! This monumental change introduces coverage for intensive outpatient services across hospitals, community mental health centers, and various locations, marking a significant stride toward a more inclusive and comprehensive mental health support system. For over 30 years, Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) and counselors have passionately pursued the goal of inclusion in Medicare. As of 2023, with 20% of the American population benefiting from Medicare, this dream has become a reality. The impact is colossal, and the ripple effect promises mental health practitioners and their clients a brighter future. Medicare's commitment to mental health is evident in its coverage of a diverse range of outpatient services, including depression screening, individual and group therapy, family therapy under certain circumstances, psychiatric evaluation, and medication management. The breadth of covered services reflects a holistic approach to mental health care. The landscape of behavioral health billing is evolving, and understanding these changes is crucial for practitioners and facilities. Direct billing by MFTs and Mental Health Counselors (MHCs) is now possible, ushering in a new era of financial accessibility. Telehealth payments have been streamlined, and flexibilities extended for Rural Health Centers (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), allowing for more flexible and convenient care options. In-person requirements for RHCs and FQHCs are delayed, providing additional flexibility for providers and patients. Commercial payers also adapt to the evolving landscape by adopting new CPT codes and a heightened focus on value-based care. This shift indicates a broader industry recognition of the importance of mental health and a commitment to aligning reimbursement structures with quality outcomes. As these changes unfold, it's essential for practitioners and facilities to prepare proactively: 🌟 Review New CPT Codes: Familiarize yourself with the latest CPT codes to ensure accurate billing. 🌟 Update Billing and Coding Policies: Stay compliant by updating your policies to reflect the latest regulations and requirements. 🌟 Get Training: Equip yourself and your staff with the necessary training to navigate the evolving billing landscape. 🌟 Consult with Specialists: In the ever-evolving billing world, having a dedicated billing and coding specialist can be your compass. Prosperity Behavioral Health stands as the billing company ready to guide you through the billing intricacies of 2024. #MedicareMentalHealth #BillingUpdates #TransformingMentalHealthCare #ProsperityBehavioralHealth

Training interventions will all fail until this is done. - increase revenue substantially with all plans paying 110% of cost of delivery or better (including all public plans and weaker employer plans, cause of deficits) - increase team member retention same specialty, team, practice, community, patients - decrease team member burdens - decrease costs of delivery - not penalize practices for caring for patients inherently lower in outcomes and drivers of outcomes - increase payments annually to cover for any and all increases in costs of delivery - increase primary care from half enough for 40% of the pop to sufficient - allow team members to spend maximal one on one time innovating with each patient and arranging higher functions as long as sufficient levels of all basic health access specialties and social supports exist -bring back most and best delivery team members - denied by designs since the 1980s. It would take 10 years of the above design to ramp up workforce to the required years of primary care production per graduating class and then about 25 years to reach sufficient primary care The same applies to mental health, women's health, basic surgical, and geriatrics

There has been a lot of talk about the benefits of integrating mental health care into primary care As the Medicare population continues to grow, addressing mental health challenges and ensuring access to quality care is becoming increasingly important Did you know ~1 in 4 older adults experience some kind of mental health concern such as anxiety, depression, or cognitive impairment? And too often, these issues go unaddressed due to barriers such as stigma, lack of mental health literacy, provider shortages, and limited coverage 𝗣𝗖𝗣𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗮 𝗽𝗶𝘃𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗹𝘆: 🔹 PCPs can collaborate with mental health professionals, offering an integrated care model, streamlining the referral process &ensuring continuity of care 🔹 Offers a unique opportunity to integrate mental health screening and treatment into routine visits, fostering trust to discuss mental health concerns This not only improves access but destigmatizes mental health treatment, making it a seamless part of overall healthcare 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: 🔹 The 2024 expansion allows licensed professional counselors & marriage/family therapists to receive Medicare reimbursement - which has the potential to add over 400k new mental health providers 🔹 Telehealth coverage for mental health services, enables greater access for beneficiaries 🔹 Integrated care models (e.g., Psychiatric Collaborative Care Model) are promoting team-based approaches that embed mental health services in primary care settings 🔹 New initiatives like the Innovation in Behavioral Health Model aim to further integrate physical and mental health care through multidisciplinary teams and community support 💡 A much-needed step towards destigmatizing and prioritizing mental health for Medicare beneficiaries. By breaking down barriers, raising awareness, and adopting innovative care models, we can ensure this vulnerable population receives the comprehensive support they need. #healthcare #medicare #primarycare #mentalhealth #integratedcare #accesstocare #CMS ---------------------------------------------------------------- PS: Hey there! I'm Jess, a market research consultant specializing in the healthcare and animal health industries. I help clients navigate market complexities and capitalize on growth opportunities through customized research and analysis. If you're interested in discussing how current and emerging trends could impact your business or strategy, let's connect!

The interoperability of behavioral health data has become a significant priority in 2024, with a focus on enhancing electronic health records systems to better accommodate behavioral health needs. Leaders at the Office of Policy of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) are working towards revamping EHR systems to be more friendly towards behavioral health requirements. This initiative aims to address challenges related to the efficient movement and accessibility of behavioral health data, focusing on issues of adoption and optimization. Efforts include grants issued to states to improve behavioral healthcare delivery and enhance data interoperability, with ongoing work to define a final rule for an improved system. #healthcare #ehr #behavioralhealth #healthcareit #himss24 https://lnkd.in/esDcjCun