The Path to Integrated Care: 5 Things to Look for in a Technology Platform Partner

Fragmented systems create barriers to whole-person care. A research brief by NORC at the University of Chicago emphasizes that whole-person care is essential for improving outcomes among high-cost, complex patients. With a unified approach, care teams can coordinate services, track patient progress and address both physical and mental health needs effectively.

A technology platform that supports integrated care can help your organization on this journey to whole-person care.

As care models evolve, organizations must ensure they have the right tools to align with frameworks like the Comprehensive Healthcare Integration Framework (CHI) from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Integrated Care models must be flexible to meet the unique needs of different populations, allowing organizations to tailor their approach, whether through comprehensive treatment or coordinated partnerships. This flexibility allows providers to adapt care strategies to resources, patient needs, and policies while staying focused on whole-person health.

The right platform doesn't just support integrated care—it makes it possible.

Here are five things organizations should consider when evaluating technology for integrated care.

1. Platform Integration

Siloed systems create unnecessary obstacles for care teams. A single, integrated platform connects multiple service lines and provider types, offering a holistic view of the individuals you serve.

When evaluating a platform, ask:

• Does it have capabilities that allow for support across your different service lines?
• Is it scalable as your organization expands services to meet the needs of diverse populations?

2. A Comprehensive Needs Assessment

Taking a whole-person care approach typically requires facilitating access to services outside of your organization. Understanding additional risk factors such as social determinants of health (SDOH) or needs for specialists is critical to driving positive outcomes. 

The right technology should be able to support:

• Screening tools to assess an individual’s full spectrum of needs
• Capturing data like lab results or treatments plans and easily incorporate into an EHR
• Actionable data and insights that streamline referrals to outside organizations

3. Interoperability and Communication Tools

Effective care doesn’t happen in a vacuum; collaboration across clinical teams and external partners is essential for delivering better outcomes. Platforms that enable bidirectional information exchange—like referrals or scheduling reminders, for instance—help bring consumers closer to the broader healthcare ecosystem, linking individuals, providers and even community partners together.

A strong platform enables: 

• Secure data exchange across providers and care settings
• Extensions outside the organization to address social and community-based needs

4. Proactive Care Management and Engagement

Your electronic health record (EHR) should do more than just document—it should support clinical decision-making. Predictive analytics, augmented intelligence like Bells and tailored care plans allow providers to identify risks and intervene early.

Look for a solution that supports:

• Automated workflows for care coordination
• Patient engagement tools that encourage adherence and participation

5. Data-Driven Decision-Making

A platform should empower organizations to track outcomes, analyze trends and drive strategic decisions. This means having access to real-time data that connects clinical, financial, and operational insights.

Consider:

• Can the system provide actionable insights that improve care quality?
• Does it align with reporting requirements and industry benchmarks?

The Bottom Line

Integrated care isn’t just a goal—it’s a necessity. Organizations that invest in technology built for whole-person care will be better equipped to improve patient outcomes, streamline operations, and adapt to an evolving healthcare landscape.

The key is finding a platform that doesn’t just check the boxes but actively enhances collaboration, engagement and efficiency. With the right tools in place, providers can move beyond fragmented care and truly put patients at the center of their health journey.