At a Crossroads: Behavioral Health & Overburdened Health Systems

Health systems today are at a crossroads regarding our nation’s behavioral health crisis. With growing demand for services and limited resources, the need for innovative solutions that offer differentiation has never been more pressing. Behavioral health partnerships can benefit health systems and their communities alike, reducing total cost of care while improving access and preventing admissions.

An upstream problem  

There’s a growing prevalence of mental health issues in the U.S. One in five adults lives with a mental illness, 17% have a substance use disorder, and 12 million consider suicide each year. These rates are unfortunately rising steadily among both adults and teens. 

To meet this demand, health systems are looking to enhance their services and overcome provider shortages and financial constraints. The current national provider shortage makes it challenging to hire additional providers and, while health systems remain committed to the communities they serve, behavioral health is often an unprofitable service line. As a recent Behavioral Health Business article notes, it can be especially challenging for individual hospitals to negotiate appropriate reimbursement rates from health plans. Ultimately, patients in need of care face substantial delays, impacting both clinical outcomes and their overall satisfaction. 

For health systems without a behavioral health service line, the cost of services still exists. The lack of outpatient mental health care drives more patients to seek help in the emergency department, pressuring those already strained resources. The financial impact of boarding, increased staff for 1:1 observation, and loss of bed turnover can account for a direct loss of over $2,000 per patient.

The numbers in recent years are grim: 

• High ED utilization: 10.9% of ED visits are for psychiatric or substance use-related diagnoses.
• Limited providers: More than 60% of U.S. counties do not have a single psychiatrist.
• Delayed care: The national average wait time for mental health services is 48 days. 

So, where do we go from here? And what are strained health systems to do?

Opening the door for impact

The behavioral health crisis isn’t one for health systems to tackle alone. As with most aspects of our dynamic healthcare landscape, the best way forward is one where we walk together. We believe that behavioral health partnerships are key to addressing the growing needs of patient-centered care. Ideally, the right strategic partner can operate as an integral part of your network—reducing operating losses, improving quality outcomes, and boosting overall patient satisfaction.

By collaborating with a specialized partner, health systems can truly differentiate their system with standout benefits:

• Timely access: Prompt access to outpatient and follow-up care without any waitlists
• Integrated care: Seamless, two-directional data sharing for coordinated, in-step treatment
• Improved outcomes: The latest proven methodologies that enhance patient outcomes across the severity spectrum
• Scalability: On-demand scaling of provider capacity to meet patient demand efficiently

A recent case study 

At Brightside Health, we understand that each health system is unique. Our specialty is fostering synergistic collaborations tailored to your organization’s needs. We have a proven record of successful behavioral health partnerships with health systems and health plans alike, and several peer-reviewed studies detailing our outcomes in notable publications such as JMIR and BMC Psychiatry.

A recent analysis of a partnership involving over 20,000 patients yielded impressive results:

• Timely care: 86% of members received an initial appointment within 5 days.
• Clinical outcomes: 70% of members completing 12 weeks of care experienced remission. Half of these members faced moderately severe or severe depression and anxiety, with 34% reporting suicidal ideation at intake.
• Financial impact: We achieved an estimated savings of $24 million over two years.

Results like these are especially impactful among populations with comorbidities. Studies show the total cost of care can be 2.8–6.2 times greater for those with both behavioral and physical health conditions. 

That’s why we’ve ensured our virtual behavioral health services are accessible to as many people as possible. We treat individuals ages 13 and up with mild to severe concerns, and have specialized programs for elevated suicide risk and substance use disorder. Currently, over 130 million people have access to Brightside Health’s services, including those commercially insured as well as Medicare beneficiaries in all 50 states and Medicaid beneficiaries in a growing number of states. 

The way forward

Behavioral health partnerships represent a strategic opportunity for health systems to meet the growing demand for mental health services—and differentiate themselves with timely access and improved outcomes. By collaborating with a specialized partner, health systems can better serve their patients at all stages and become the cornerstone of mental health for their communities.

Together, we can enhance the behavioral health landscape in your community. Contact Brightside Health today to schedule your discovery consultation.