ICYMI: Integrated Care: Strategies That Work

In a recent webinar, program director of North Range Behavioral Health in Colorado, Jennifer Miller, and chief development officer of American Health Partners in Tennessee, Hank Watson, joined me to discuss how their organizations are delivering integrated care. We covered a wide range of topics, including the challenges that can occur and how to increase awareness of the technology that helps deliver integrated care. Let’s dive in!

“Can you tell us about your organization and the communities you serve?”

Miller: North Range is the Weld County Community Mental Health Center. We are a CCBHC, celebrating 50 years this year as an agency. We provide a very wide variety of behavioral health services within the community, specifically within integrated care.”

Watson: American Health Partners Organization has been around for going on 35 years. The organization owns and operates businesses in seven divisions including nursing homes, home health and hospice, institutional pharmacy, psychiatric services and both the acute setting and outpatient rehab nurse practitioner services.

“What does integrated care mean to your organization?”

Miller: North Range recognizes the importance of looking at whole-person care including mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Our integrated care model allows us to partner with our local physical health providers to really wrap services around people in the place that they’re most comfortable

Watson: At American Health Partners, we’re moving toward a value-based care model, that lets us take ownership of the financial components of that as well and not be dependent on third parties.

“How does your organization measure success?”

Miller: The ultimate goal is for people who are receiving care get the best care possible to the point where they don’t need the organization anymore. It’s about making sure people are completing their treatment and following through with getting the help they need. Is the organization able to keep people out of the hospital, decrease termination rates, are they engaging folks when they need to?

What does the future look like for integrated care?

Miller: Integrated care will continue to grow as the needs of the community grow. As the needs of our partners grow, we will continue to strive to meet those needs in any way that we can. We will continue to expand to meet those needs as much as possible. We'll offer whatever services are helpful. We'll continue to build partnerships and collaboration.

Watson: Providers will try to move up that proverbial food chain and find the services beyond what they offer to ensure that they're executing on that model of care.

Summary

We discussed how organizations can help chart their own path forward and continue to look for new and exciting opportunities. However, nothing comes without risk and organizations take risks every day whether they know it or not. Through efficient workflows, technology supports seamless data sharing between organizations and providers.

Integrated care is all about a person-centered approach and that is why referral sources are so important within the organization. Providers need to be able to refer individuals into care and collaborate on what type of care is most beneficial for each person. Also it is important to mention how virtual care plays into not only a direct service delivery but also in organizations looking to expand their services and find other partners to truly create “that digital footprint in the community.”

For more details on how these successful organizations approach integrated care, watch the full webinar here.