Partnerships may help hospitals and health system’s accommodate the demand for behavioral health services.
Behavioral health has gained significant attention, much of it due to a growing mental health crisis following the COVID-19 pandemic. As the need for a restructuring of mental and behavioral healthcare presses on, the challenges faced by hospitals cannot be ignored.
From rising demand for services to regulatory complexities and staffing shortages, the hurdles are considerable. However, partnering with specialized behavioral health providers could offer hospitals a strategic advantage—both clinically and financially.
The Hunt for Care
Many health systems face the decision of turning away patients seeking behavioral or mental health care or admitting them without the means to care for them.
This is an issue Doug Watson, CFO of Allina Health, has run into before.
“It still is a challenge where we have patients that are in the hospital that don't have a primary medical issue,” he says. “They either have behavioral health, mental health or neurodivergent issues and there's nowhere else for them to go, and they end up on our doorstep in the hospital.”
With such a high demand for mental and behavioral healthcare, patients are often left in care-limbo while health systems try to find a care destination for them.
“And then,” Watson said. “There's can be, in some cases, hundreds of days before you can find an appropriate place for them to go.”
This challenge begs the following question: should more health systems partner with behavioral health providers? CFOs can make a big difference in what the care model looks like for behavioral health patients that come through their doors in search of appropriate care.
These specific types of partnerships can not only greatly help patients and care outcomes, but it can also be a win-win for the health systems in several ways, according to a 2022 report from VMG Health.
Hospitals and health systems can increase patient satisfaction, reduce costs, reduce admissions, streamline performance and even enhance staff retention by creating partnerships to care for these patients. By partnering with a team of experts for behavioral/mental health care
hospitals can provide more training programs and support for their staff members.
Facilitating a partnership like this could even lead to reduced burnout amongst staff and greater job satisfaction because they are able to focus on the care they are trained to give.
Building Sustainable Partnerships
To forge effective partnerships, hospitals should focus on identifying reputable behavioral health providers that align with their mission and values. Consider the provider’s experience, staffing capabilities, and ability to integrate care seamlessly into existing hospital operations. Financial arrangements, such as shared savings models or bundled payments, can also be explored to ensure mutual benefits.
The inability to meet behavioral health needs can lead to increased emergency room visits, higher readmission rates, and a general strain on resources. By embracing this integrated approach, hospitals can not only enhance their service offerings but also secure their position as leaders in a holistic, patient-centered healthcare in their community.
Marie DeFreitas is the CFO editor for HealthLeaders.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
There is a growing need for mental and behavioral health facilities.
Forming partnerships with behavioral health providers can be clinically and financially advantageous.
Collaborating with behavioral health providers can benefit a hospital in ways like reducing admissions and streamlining performance