Every healthcare provider wants to see successful outcomes for their patients. Research has shown that when a patient receives comprehensive client care, where all of their issues are considered to find a solution, the end result is better.
For example, the University of Washington integrated the Collaborative Care model (outlined below) as a part of its Behavioral Health Integration Program. They completed 80 randomized clinical control trials after a year of implementation and found collaborative care improves clinical outcomes, increases patient satisfaction and functioning, and lowers total healthcare costs.
A holistic approach to client care is crucial for optimal results, but it requires medical teams, case managers, behavioral health specialists, social services organizations, and other key stakeholders to work together to create the optimal care plan. This article outlines how to deliver comprehensive care by combining behavioral health and case management and showcases mental health case management tools to make the process smoother.
Comprehensive Care Strategies Using Case Management Systems
A comprehensive care strategy is an all-encompassing approach to health care that addresses all of a patient's needs, including physical, mental, and social Healthcare providers coordinate efforts to address all aspects of a patient's health. In these strategies, the individual needs of the patient are put first. They are empowered to be active participants in their healthcare plans, boosting the relationships between them and their care teams.
For comprehensive care strategies to work, every aspect of a patient's care must be coordinated together, including primary care, specialty services, hospitals, home health care, and community resources. These stakeholders must communicate via case managers or an integrated platform like case management software for mental health.
To build an effective strategy, these three integrated care models are often used:
- Primary Care Behavioral Health Model (PCBH): A team-based approach to navigating biopsychosocial issues often seen in primary care. Using this model, patients have reported up to 97% satisfaction rates. In this model, a behavioral health consultant supports the primary care team to help with the complexity of behavioral health problems.
- Collaborative Care Model (CoCM): Primary care providers, care managers (can be a nurse, social worker, or psychologist), and psychiatric consultants collaborate to provide services and monitor progress. These models follow measurement-based care, treatment-to-target, stepped care, and other elements of the Chronic Care Model.
- Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs): An ACO is a group of doctors, hospitals, and other care providers who work together to coordinate quality care for Medicare patients. This ensures that clients get the care they need at the right time without duplicate services. Reliance Healthcare implemented the ACO structure to prevent at least one avoidable admission each day, and early data suggests that the program actually prevents two avoidable admissions per day, reducing costs and providing more appropriate care for patients.
Strategies for Integration
Mental health and physical health integration require set strategies for success. All stakeholders must be aware of the steps to take to combine these two areas of health. Some common strategies used include:
- Care Coordination Mechanisms: 24-hour, toll-free numbers to talk to a care manager. Independent assessments to develop care plans. Communication systems between case managers and doctors.
- Enhanced Payment Models: Many states offer payment initiatives to providers to lower costs through integrated solutions.
- Community Partnerships: Implementing existing services from the community into publicly funded, community-based behavioral health settings.
- Technology: Detailed information systems and data infrastructure in behavioral health case management software help teams communicate better amongst different providers, delivering continuity of care.
Integrating Mental Health Services With Case Management Software
Communication is the most important element of comprehensive client care. If the different care teams can't access all of the information needed and have set channels for communication, then the services rendered will not meet all of the patient's needs. PlanStreet case management software provides a single place for every provider to communicate, assess data, and make decisions together.
Utilize the following steps to integrate mental health services with case management software.
1. Choose an Integrated Care Model and Case Management Software
Providers need to choose one of the three models outlined above to get started. For PCBH, care teams need to integrate licensed behavioral health professionals within primary care teams. For the Collaborative Care Model (CoCM), care teams need to choose a system to collaborate so that all relevant parties can manage a patient's behavioral health needs.
Both systems should consider case management software, which provides a comprehensive view of client journeys, making it easy for each person to access important records and track progress. In PlanStreet, take advantage of robust customizable and configurable dashboards so each user can optimize their screens for their part in the process.
2. Optimize Features to Coordinate Care
When choosing a case management software, you want the provider to offer customizable features that optimize care coordination. Consider choosing one with the following options:
- Centralized Patient Management: Use a system that provides an exhaustive view of each client's journey, including mental health assessments and treatment plans. You should be able to see each step to gauge how treatment is going and adjust when necessary.
- Customizable Assessments: Look for software that includes mental health assessments and treatment plans.
- Integrated Communication Tools: Use secure messaging and communication features to facilitate collaboration between mental health professionals and other care providers
3. Select Electronic Health Features
Individuals have become much more comfortable with telehealth and online healthcare. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, there were only about 5 million visits within Medicare per year, and that increased to 53 million in 2020. While the numbers are not that high, they remain higher than pre-pandemic levels and show how people are much more comfortable with technology-driven healthcare.
Use this to your advantage when integrating behavioral health into primary care. In case management software, your team can utilize electronic health features such as:
- Online Client Scheduling: Use shared calendars to book appointments and stick to timelines. PlanStreet notifies users about appointment conflicts, making life easier for administrators.
- Electronic Health Records (EHR): Seamlessly connect mental health data with other patient information to provide a holistic view of patient care.
- Online Intake and Assessments: Intake automation tools offer built-in assessment forms and form builders to adjust them as needed for your organization.
4. Implement Data-Driven Decision Making With Analytics
One of the biggest benefits of case management software is robust analytics to get a complete picture of the success rates of services for clients. To make the best decisions, use the following tools:
- Data Integration: Consolidate data from different sources to provide a holistic picture of patient mental and physical health.
- Analytics for Outcome Tracking: Utilize built-in analytics tools to track the success of services and change treatment plans if you have to.
- Reporting Capabilities: Implement comprehensive reporting features to gain insights into mental health program success and areas for improvement.
5. Follow HIPAA Rules for Security and Compliance
Last, any case management software implemented must be HIPAA-compliant. This ensures the safety of your patients and your care teams. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, "The covered entities must:
- Ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of all e-PHI they create, receive, maintain or transmit;
- Identify and protect against reasonably anticipated threats to the security or integrity of the information;
- Protect against reasonably anticipated, impermissible uses or disclosures; and
- Ensure compliance by their workforce."
How PlanStreet Supports Behavioral Health Case Management
Streamline behavioral health care within your comprehensive client care group with help from PlanStreet. Our mental health case management tools were built specifically for behavioral health specialists, mental health counselors and therapists, primary care providers, case managers, and hospital administrators so that everyone can do their jobs faster, providing optimal care for their clients.
Our powerful features are HIPAA-compliant, ensuring all client information is stored securely.
- Customizable Tools: The software allows for the development of customized forms and detailed reports. Mental health organizations can create systems that better suit their workers and present information to relevant parties that are easy to digest.
- Detailed Documentation: PlanStreet provides tools for documenting, reviewing, and editing case notes with ease. This feature saves time and allows mental health professionals to spend more of their day caring for clients rather than administrative tasks.
- Secure Data Storage: PlanStreet's encrypted cloud-based storage keeps client data safe. Only authorized users can access certain files, making it safer than a paper system.
- Access Anywhere: Workers can access the system on any device, allowing them to work from any location and maintain continuous patient care.
- Streamlined Intake Process: Data collected in intake is automatically added to online case profiles, reducing manual intake (which can be full of errors).
- Integrated Communication: Providers can instantly share notes, comments, files, and more, making it easier for everyone to work together for a better outcome.
- Patient Engagement Tools: Features such as online client scheduling, automated appointment conflict checks, and secure sharing of electronic health records simplify working with patients and caregivers, helping everyone find answers faster.
Bridge Gaps in Mental Health and Case Management With PlanStreet
Create a holistic approach to client care with PlanStreet. Our case management software increases efficiency, providing a virtual workspace for everyone on your team to optimize organization.
Our easy-to-use system lets you customize forms, workflows, and fields to create a process that works for your team's specific needs, elevating behavioral health management solutions. Learn more about how PlanStreet can help your organization integrate behavioral health and case management by scheduling a demo today.