Innovation in behavioral health delivery to enhance clinical and financial outcomes.

What is it about?

Public behavioral health programs have long waitlists resulting in increase no-show rates and high rates of "avoidable" medical and emergency services. Phase-based Care uses 4 principles to eliminate wait times and gain rapid recovery. In this paper, we describe an FQHC behavioral health clinic with a 702 person-wait list that was eliminated in 3.5 months. Comparing 6-months pre- and post intervention, behavioral health revenues and productivity increased, and avoidable medical visits and no-show rates decreased.

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Why is it important?

Our behavioral health system is overwhelmed by increasing demands. The rote explanation for delays is understaffing. We have demonstrated in this and a previous publication, that through organizational and cultural change of Phase-based Care, rapid engagement and recovery can be attained without additional staff.

Perspectives

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I hope this article helps people realize that the behavioral health "crisis" in the US can be improved through innovation. The traditional (and sometimes archaic ) organizational cultures of community behavioral health programs directly contribute to long waitlists, high no-show rates, and ineffective treatment outcomes. The innovation "Phase-based Care" has been shown in this publication and a prior publication that our mental health system has the potential to be highly effective without additional staff or resources.

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