Benefits of Measurement-Based Care for Behavioral Health Care Practices

Measurement-based care is quickly becoming the standard of care for behavioral health care, allowing practices to provide objective evidence that a care plan is working. Defined as the systematic administration of symptom rating scales and other assessment tools, measurement-based care helps behavioral health care practices track patient progress, inform and improve treatment outcomes, and measure results.

For example, a cardiologist would typically measure blood pressure before, during, and after the administration of a patient’s treatment protocol. So why wouldn’t behavioral health be any different?

Additionally, as insurance carriers have recognized the correlation between mental health and physical health outcomes, it is essential that behavioral health providers capture the positive impact of their work. The more objectively practices can demonstrate the results of their providers, the better equipped they are for improved staff retention, patient outcomes, and reimbursement rates from payers.

Measurement-Based Care Provides the Proof You Need

Measurement-based care impacts micro and macro levels, from patient outcomes to identifying a systemic need for change. Patients experience a more informed treatment plan across the timespan of treatment, better patient engagement, and improved patient-clinician communication. Clinical providers particularly benefit from measurement-based care because they receive real-time feedback on their work.

Clinical practices can use the data to modify the practice. Practices are also more adequately set up to negotiate with payers, using hard data to demonstrate the effectiveness of care. Finally, practices can aggregate data to identify areas for improvement in diagnostics and treatment modalities.

The Time to Implement Measurement-Based Care is Now

There are 2 simple reasons every behavioral health practice should implement measurement-based care: to generate faster, measurable patient outcomes and the potential to receive higher reimbursement.

The Benefits for Patients

Patients benefit from measurement-based care in several ways. First, they experience better treatment outcomes, as providers adapt plans thanks to the data they collect throughout treatment. If implemented correctly, patient outcomes are measured frequently and consistently. If rating scores indicate that the patient’s condition is stagnant or worsening, providers can pivot the treatment plan to address any issue. For example, some patients in session find it difficult to express their current state of mind. Measurement scales objectively demonstrate the state of the patient—even before a session begins—and create an objective data point to drive the conversation.

On the other hand, if the patient is doing well, providers can use measured outcomes to help patients recognize improvement (which is often hard to do in a behavioral health practice). This makes patients feel validated when outcome measures support their current health status. Measurement-based care ultimately gives patients a greater understanding of their treatment plan and enables them to communicate with their clinicians better.

The Benefits for Providers

Providers can achieve more significant clinical outcomes, offer more focused patient treatment, and save time and money with the correct data. Additionally, treatment decisions become safer when there is data to support providers’ every decision. Measurement-based care creates better collaboration between providers and helps recognize providers that are doing exceptionally well in their practice.

The Benefits for Payers

Payers are more motivated to pay for practices that provide objective data around clinical outcomes because payers know that improved mental health status is directly correlated to improved physical health, which saves payers money when it comes to physical outcomes. Payers can form stronger relationships with providers based on accountability and transparency with measurement-based care. When allocating resources, payers are more confident in partnering with providers that can clearly demonstrate positive treatment outcomes.

Negotiating Higher Rates With Payers

Measurement-based care enables practices to receive higher payments from payers. It is important to note that higher pay does not immediately come with measurement-based care; however, it puts practices in a better position as they have objective proof points to demonstrate their outcomes. The great news is that in many regions, payors are already reimbursing simply for using measures in conjunction with care.  If multiple assessments are used, you can be paid as much as 5-10% more per session.

To maximize long-term success, practices can build relationships by making connections with people within the insurance companies they support. Set up check-in meetings bi-annually or quarterly to stay up to speed with insurance legislation and any pending updates and demonstrate their objective impact on that payor’s patient population.

Additionally, practices can showcase credentials, skills, training, client experience, and data. The more ways practices differentiate themselves from other providers, the more likely a payer will see how they can help them fill gaps in their provider network.

Finally, providers can maximize the use of data collected from measurement-based care. This includes coupling patient-outcomes data (to show positive patient experiences and outcomes) with other types of business data such as time-to-appointment. Payers want to see that practices can provide more immediate access to services in comparison to other providers in the area.

Implementing Measurement-Based Care

Following a few guidelines makes a move to measurement-based care seamless for practices. Using an EHR for behavioral health and one that automates the collection, tabulation, and reporting of outcomes data can ease the process of implementing measurement-based care and make it possible to get paid. However, data is only as valuable as its implementation. On an ongoing basis, practices should examine data to make necessary changes with individual client treatment plans, practice protocols, payer relationships, and systematic impacts.