The Kennedy Forum’s Post

From a prevention standpoint, MHT helps reduce ER visits by automatically referring individuals to an appropriate #behavioralhealth specialist and notifies clinicians of at-risk individuals. Through machine learning, we can uncover comorbid behavioral health and #substanceuse conditions, what we see as a breakthrough in mental #healthcare. Read our latest blog linked below!

In a research landscape that has traditionally relied on clinical trials supplemented with claims data, a shift to EHR-derived RWD as first-line evidence will yield the deepest clinical insights needed to answer targeted questions in behavioral health. Check out my thoughts on how EHR-derived RWD is a paradigm shift for fit-for-purpose behavioral health research and how we need to respond.

With behavioral healthcare journeys constantly evolving, how can they be effectively navigated? A recent article from Going Digital: Behavioral Health Tech provides great insight into the data-driven, member-centric Evernorth Health Services approach. Douglas Nemecek and Melissa Reilly shed light on how a substantial portion of medical spending is driven by individuals with comorbidities, emphasizing the need to address both physical and behavioral health conditions together. Melissa Reilly highlights the need for early intervention: “There are silent sufferers who either go undiagnosed or their behavioral condition surfaces once with a medical provider, but their likelihood of engaging in behavioral treatment is low. These customer journeys highlight the importance of early identification through predictive modeling and collaboration with medical colleagues, so we don’t have to wait for people to ask for behavioral assistance, but use our data and relationships to meet them where they are.” Read the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/gx-z6bsA

Happy Friday! This is an update from DHCS on the position of MAT(Medically Assisted Treatment) requirements. To summarize: DHCS will is now Requiring that all Licensed SUD Facilities to offer MAT services directly to clients or have an effective referral process in place ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Good morning, Please see and review the following information and ensure that your program is in compliance with these Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Behavioral Health Information Notices (BHINs). On October 6, 2023, DHCS released BHIN-23-054 that “require licensed and/or certified SUD recovery or treatment facilities to offer MAT services directly to clients or have an effective referral process in place.” This BHIN is in reference to Senate Bill (SB) 184 that “requires licensed and/or certified SUD recovery or treatment facilities to comply with the requirements [stated in the BHIN], no sooner than July 1, 2022.” It also requires “All licensed and/or certified SUD recovery or treatment facilities shall develop and implement a MAT policy that is in compliance with HSC Section 11832.9(c) and 11834.28(c).” Licensed program shall provide a MAT policy that meet the requirements of the BHIN to their assigned DHCS analysts within 90 days of the publication of this BHIN. Please review the BHIN-23-054 for all of the requirements. For additional information regarding the MAT policy requirements, you can also review the corresponding SB 184 MAT FAQ. If you are not getting notifications when a BHIN is released, please contact Michele Taylor in a separate email atMichele.Taylor@DHCS.ca.gov to be added to the Behavioral Health Stakeholder Updates and Information Notices weekly e-mail blast. We also suggest you check the DHCS Behavioral Health Information Notice website periodically. It is the facility’s responsibility to review the BHINs in detail and comply with the requirements.

How do you reduce “trial & error” in Behavior health clinical practice ? How do you improve behavior health clinical research? In essence , how do we stop lamenting about the complexity of the problem and fix the data plumbing problem in Behavior health research/care. EHR drived clinical data is the pathway through which solution architecture exists. Stay tuned!

As a full-desk healthcare recruiter, I'm encouraged by the Senate's advancement of legislation to improve access to behavioral health care. This legislation is a step in the right direction to addressing the growing mental health crisis in our country. By expanding access to care, we can help more people get the support they need to live healthy and productive lives. I'm particularly interested in the provisions to integrate behavioral health and primary care. This is an important step toward breaking down the silos that often exist between these two types of care. By integrating care, we can make it easier for people to get the comprehensive care they need.

People experiencing both a comorbid medical and behavioral health condition cost employers 2-3X more than those with a medical only condition. Thankfully, smart employers are understanding the complex navigation needed for their employees. Let Evernorth Behavioral Health help your engagement! #mentalhealthmatters #improvingoutcomes https://lnkd.in/gReBhzcK

Value-based care and parity go hand-in-hand as the behavioral health industry continues to evolve beyond the fee-for-service paradigm.

Sometimes patients are the ones who provide us with care. Mistakes happen in any human endeavor and the practice of medicine is no exception. One of the most effective things we can do to address the physician burnout endemic in our society is to acknowledge that doctors are just that – human. Creating a culture where it is accepted that mistakes happen and that providers at times need help, whether it’s peer support or behavioral health counseling, is a great first step. #KevinMD - https://bit.ly/46XCAB0