California Department of Health Care Access and Information’s Post

Interoperability of behavioral health data is a priority for 2024. Click on the article below to learn more about on how the Office of Policy of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) are looking to revamp electronic health records systems to be friendlier towards behavioral health needs. Thomas Novak

Worthwhile to pursue, and necessary for proper coordination across a person's care plan and care team. Our company has performed environmental scans across behavioral health providers in multiple states on topics such as EHR adoption, health information sharing, and accessing records from other providers. We also have led delivery system networks across all service lines and held leadership roles at state agencies. Time again, even recently, we have heard BH providers tell us there is still insufficient client/patient trust that their BH records will only be shared with those entities they specifically choose to have them shared with. And, providers insist that therapy notes be excluded. BH provider individuals and BH organizations were asked, "Why have you chosen not to use and EHR and connect to HIEs?" Their responses are typically that they do not see the value to the organization, or to their patients, or they cannot sustain the cost of the EHR implementations and integrations for connection because reimbursement levels do not provide sufficient revenue to justify the investment. If the right policy and regulatory levers are in place, sufficient incentives are provided via reimbursement or technical assistance and grants for the implementation and integrations, and there is a mechanism providing patients/clients with agency over who can see their records, for what purposes, and for how long, we see this as very exciting work for advancement in care coordination, and improvements in access, quality, outcomes, cost effectiveness, and satisfaction. The BH providers, of course, will need to be at the table. 😉 Good on you, NYeC for taking it on! #healthdataprivacy #dataprivacy #HIE #eConsent #HIT

Announcing: With input from states around the country, my colleagues at NASHP | National Academy for State Health Policy have developed a state behavioral health modernization resource, created with support from The Commonwealth Fund. The resource offers actionable strategies, state examples, and practical insights. Why it matters: In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for behavioral health services has surged to crisis levels. This resource provides a comprehensive framework and practical insights to guide for states pursuing system reforms across the continuum of care for people with identified behavioral health needs. Explore this resource to discover state examples, practical tools, and considerations for modernizing your state’s behavioral health system.

evolvedMD is proud to be among America's fastest growing behavioral health companies according to Inc 5000. Learn how we are balancing rapid growth and sustainability in this recent Behavioral Health Business article featuring Chief of Staff +Head of Investor Relations, Sentari Minor.

The Massachusetts Health Policy Commission (HPC) has launched a new Behavioral Health Workforce Center, established in partnership with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services, to strengthen the Commonwealth’s capacity to identify and respond to ongoing behavioral health workforce needs. The behavioral health care system both in Massachusetts and nationally has a shortage of workers, and in turn, a limited ability to meet the complex behavioral health care needs of all residents. The HPC Behavioral Health Workforce Center was established to: ➡️Identify gaps and challenges across communities and provider types, ➡️ Monitor trends, particularly related to disparities in workforce representation and demand for behavioral health services. ➡️ Convene stakeholders through the creation of an advisory group that will provide behavioral health workforce expertise and diverse perspectives and ➡️ Support the development of responsive, high-impact policy recommendations. Read more about the HPC Behavioral Health Workforce Center: https://lnkd.in/eTFxdNiN Explore the HPC Behavioral Health Workforce Center website: https://lnkd.in/eApyEw5i #BehavioralHealth #HealthPolicy #HealthWorkforce

We've been involved in substance use disorder and behavioral health modernization work at both state and federal levels. This resource from NASHP was collected through multi-state engagement and technical assistance. "[T]he NASHP | National Academy for State Health Policy, with support by The Commonwealth Fund, embarked on an 18-month project focused on identifying state strategies to modernize the behavioral health system" Resources for state policymakers include: 🔸 Framework for a modernized system 🔸 State-specific examples 🔸 Detailed lessons learned 🔸 List of additional resources https://lnkd.in/e4Sixeqg #BehavioralHealth #PublicHealth #PopulationHealth

Capping off Mental Health Awareness Month, I am excited to see the energy, investment, and innovation within the behavioral health industry. Especially around integrated care models!   There are numerous examples of companies increasing their focus on the behavioral health crisis in America. An encouraging example has been Optum Health’s investment to build-out their behavioral health network (highlighted by their 2022 acquisition of Refresh Mental Health).   During the Bernstein 40th Annual Strategic Decisions Conference this week, Optum Health CEO Heather Cianfrocco highlighted the continued importance of providing comprehensive primary care along with wrap-around behavioral health services for patients – noting they have seen their investment chip away at the acute issue of patient access to quality behavioral health services.   Recognizing the importance of treating both the physical and behavioral health needs of patients, and developing the infrastructure to create integrated care models at every touch point in the system, will be critical to improving the quality of life for the millions of Americans who are struggling with mental health concerns, substance abuse, and other life stressors. #MentalHealthAwareness #BehavioralHealth #IntegratedCare #HealthcareInnovation

What are some of the opportunities and challenges of accelerating behavioral health integration through digitally enabled care? Find out as experts from the @AmerMedicalAssn and Manatt Health share examples in this #AMAStepsForward webinar. https://lnkd.in/gFbcPFq7

Demand for access to behavioral health resources, especially crisis services, continues to increase year after year. Check out a new article from Bamboo Health where our SME Gina Gibson, MPA discusses how to help change the conversation around crisis services by breaking down social and technology barriers. https://lnkd.in/gEAHAN4h

To meet the demand for behavioral health services, many policy solutions to expand the workforce through task-sharing with nonspecialist providers (NSP) like peer specialists. In a new Milbank Quarterly Perspective, Briana S. Last of Stony Brook University and Erika L. Crable of the University of California, San Diego, recommend policymakers focus instead on building and sustaining the behavioral health workforce by increasing reimbursement rates and provider wages and establishing labor protections. https://buff.ly/3WBE4O1 #BehavioralHealth #WorkforceDevelopment