Setting Measurable Benchmarks in Behavioral Health Integration

Has your practice been working towards offering integrated behavioral health care? How can you tell if it's working? An effective way to find out is to identify measurable benchmarks. Over time, you can see how these numbers change to see how you're progressing, and can adjust as needed.

Here are some examples of benchmarks your clinic can implement to assess how far along you are in offering integrated care:

  • Increased use of screening instruments

  • Earlier diagnosis

  • Increased appropriate referrals to a behavioral health specialist

  • Increased number of patients who were seen by specialists after referral was made

  • Improved communication through increased face-to-face meetings or virtual exchanges to assess progress

  • Improved medication adherence (prescriptions filled; pills taken)

  • Decreased depression scores (e.g., PHQ-9 score over time)

  • Fewer emergency visits

  • Fewer hospital re-admissions

  • Enhanced well-being and quality of life for patients, caregivers, and care team

  • More accurate financial projections through partnering or hiring and billing your own BH team

Over time, observing benchmarks like these can give you an idea of how effectively your practice is implementing integrated care. Are you trending in the right direction? Are there areas that need improvement? Once you identify strengths and weaknesses, you can begin to implement new policies and practice that will help you move towards full integration.

If you would like help offering integrated care at your practice, Germane and Wise can help. Our collaborative care model helps you provide quality behavioral health care at a fraction of the cost. Give us a call today and learn how we can help you better serve your patients.

Caroline Fisher MD PhD