Tag Archives: Federally Qualified Health Center

For Better or for Worse: Honoring the Partnership in Behavioral Health and Primary Care Integration

“I now pronounce you…Integrated.”

The early days of the integrated healthcare relationship are typically idyllic, filled with smiles and hopes and dreams. Oh, if we could only maintain that blissful state forever…

Unfortunately relationships don’t maintain a static pattern but are interspersed with disruptions on occasion (or frequently). When these disturbances intervene, the blissful state is challenged.

These are the times that try administrators’ souls.

For a partnership to persevere the inevitable challenges, the basic foundation must be solid.  Just as skyscrapers are built with deep foundations that are not only solid but allow flexibility to prevent collapse when severe environmental or other hazardous conditions erupt, the integrated partnership requires a carefully developed, yet flexible foundation. With a firm core, the relationship has the elements in place to withstand challenges that are sure to occur. (Click here for more information on building a successful behavioral health – primary care partnership.)

Sustainability Planning

Sustainability plans are often synonymous with financial sustainability but will occasionally focus on health information technology in the planning as well. The partnership itself, however, is often overlooked in the sustainability plan. This is unfortunate because if the partnership fails, the plan is rendered moot. The actual partnership itself is taken for granted after the initial honeymoon phase. This is a grave mistake for true sustainability.

Consider this scenario:
Due to internal operational and fiscal needs, the behavioral health partner’s executive team has decided to reassign the integrated BH counselor who has been working in the primary care clinic for two years. The counselor will be replaced with another counselor who is more experienced and is credentialed in both mental health and substance use disorders. Seeing this rearrangement as a win-win, the behavioral health partner is shocked and confused when they hear that the primary care partner, in reaction to this news, is considering hiring their own counselor instead of accepting the replacement counselor. There are even rumors that they might pull out of the partnership.

What went wrong?

  1. The behavioral health partner failed to include the primary care partner in the discussion, thus failing to honor the relationship; the primary care partner felt disrespected.
  2. Rather than express concern to the behavioral health partner, the primary care partner took a reactionary approach instead.
  3. Unaware of behavioral health partner’s internal issues, the primary care partner assumed the worst.
  4. The behavioral health partner failed to understand the value of the individual to the team, not just for the service provided. Counselors are not interchangeable. The counselor was viewed as a valued member of the primary care team.
  5. The executive teams of the partners stopped communicating after the partnership was launched, resulting in a weakening of the committment by each partner.

The list could go on.

This partnership, though financially sound, has neglected to nurture the core relationship. As long as things were going smoothly, the partnership appeared to be successful. Unfortunately, a slight disruption to the routine has threatened the weak core of the partnership. In addition to the obvious lack of effective communication taking place in this dysfunctional relationship, there are other factors also present that are all too common in partnerships:

  • Lack of commitment
  • Lack of respect

Commitment and respect underscore the core requirements for longevity.

Commitment

All partners must be committed to ensuring that integration efforts have the necessary tools for success. This includes the committment of time, not just financial and other resources. When the commitment is present, there is no concern over “fair weather friends” syndrome.

  • Are you prepared to make sacrifices necessary for success?
  • When the going gets tough are you still committed?

Respect

Basic respect is crucial. Your partner has many challenges and concerns that are unrelated to your partnership. Respecting that these are important to your partner whether or not you can fully recognize the impact goes a long way toward being a good partner. Taking the time to gain a better understanding is even better.

  • Do you have a thorough understanding of your partner’s business model?
  • Do you understand the challenges that your partner faces specific to the specialty such as regulatory, operational, clinical, etc.?

Why are these things important?

Understanding and honoring the things that are important to your partner organization strengthens the core of your relationship. Remember, the Golden Rule applies to behavioral health and primary care integration partnerships, too.

COMPROMISE: The Third Key Component of a Successful Behavioral Health – Primary Care Marriage

I shall argue that strong men, conversely, know when to compromise and that all principles can be compromised to serve a greater principle.
–Andrew Carnegie

It isn’t easy to bring a behavioral health organization and a primary care organization together for the creation of an integrated partnership, despite the reason–altruistic or otherwise. When partners fail to provide adequate attention to open and effective communication, the excitement of early marriage can wane; the relationship may become troubled, requiring mediation. When misunderstandings occur and tempers flare, it’s time for an intervention to get the partnership back on track.

Marital Counseling

As with any relationship, compromise is a necessary element in the behavioral health – primary care partnership. After the honeymoon phase, the partnership enters a crucial period in which its future is determined by the ability of the partners to negotiate the (sometimes rocky) path ahead. Differences between the two entities become more apparent as pressure mounts via the divergent audits, budgets, various regulatory requirements, etc. Furthermore, what are the partners to do when they encounter conflicting requirements? Marital counseling may be in order at this point. In other words, it’s time for the partners to take a time-out and take an honest and open appraisal.

Developing shared solutions are important for strengthening the bond. The partners must approach all dilemmas together as a team. Each has a vested interest; negotiating solutions will strengthen that bond.

Wise leaders recognize that trust is not automatically bestowed.  Members of the teams need time and patience for trust to develop. By bringing together members from each team who share similar roles and encouraging ongoing, regular interaction, trust begins to develop within the partnership. Remember that trust cannot be rushed but will grow into a strong foundation  throughout the partnering organizations if nurtured.

Empowering the team provides the opportunity for everyone to develop a sense of ownership for successful outcomes. Empowered employs who feel that they play an important role in the organization and who feel valued by management have a greater sense of commitment to the organization. Allow team members the ability to make decisions rather than having every movement scripted. When the receptionist is empowered to work-in an emergency patient without having to gain approval for every occurrence, amazing things begin to happen:  The receptionist feels like a valued member of the team, the patient benefits from the responsiveness, and the other members of the team benefit from the smooth workflow. In marriage, each partner has a responsibility for doing his/her part to ensure equilibrium. The same is true between and within the partnership.

Determine Expectations

Mentioning expectations at this point might seem unnecessary. After all, the behavioral health and primary care organization have formed the partnership for the distinct purpose of providing healthcare integration. It’s a very clear expectation and doesn’t require discussion.

Or does it?

Just as a couple contemplating marriage might wrongly assume that each has the same idea of what their marriage will be like (one partner daydreams about a trendy loft in the city while the other longs for a house with a massive lawn in the suburbs), the integrated healthcare partnership can fall into the same trap of flawed thinking. Don’t assume!

The chances for happily ever after increase exponentially when time and effort are committed for open discussions about expectations for the partnership. Both partners must be willing to compromise on expectations when they are incongruent.

                                                                                                     

And don’t forget: People with serious mental illness are dying while we try to figure this out!

COMMUNICATION: The Second Key Component of a Successful Behavioral Health – Primary Care Marriage

The next key component of a successful Behavioral Health – Primary Care Marriage focuses on Communication.

Early Phase: THE HONEYMOON

In the early days of the partnership, the Honeymoon phase, there is a distinct tendency toward assuming that both partners are speaking the same language and are working toward the same goals. The excitement of the new endeavor and the synergy created initially helps to move things along at a rapid pace. When the behavioral health partner talks about workflow and scheduling appointments, there is little thought given to the fact that these two concepts have VERY different meanings for the primary care provider. It is important to have a thorough review of operations from both perspectives and to find a viable middle-ground that both partners find acceptable. Making open, frequent communication a priority from the onset will prevent problems later on.  This should include a thorough overview of each organization’s regulatory, financial, and operational processes as well as overall mission. Don’t assume that the two partners really understand how each other’s organization functions.

Problems within the Partnership (AKA THE HONEYMOON IS OVER!)

If the partners neglect to develop an open culture of communication on the front end, it is likely that miscommunication will develop.

The Honeymoon phase is in jeopardy.

The entrepreneurial partner fails to understand the ongoing delays from the partner with the extensive bureaucratic approval process that prevents a quick turnaround of virtually everything. As misunderstandings develop into disappointments and resentments, the previous harmony is disrupted.

The Honeymoon is over.

Internal conflicts must be addressed immediately with candor. This is a good time to have an open conversation about all the aforementioned points and develop a plan for ongoing, frequent communication. Concerns about the great divide over productivity targets, outcome measures, and caseloads must be openly discussed, among other important points of contention.

By devoting the necessary focus on the importance of Communication, the partnership will successfully transition to the third key component for a successful behavioral health – primary care marriage, Compromise. The shared mission to reduce health disparities for the individuals served who suffer from comorbid behavioral health and medical conditions will persevere.

However, failure to make this transition may very well land this promising partnership into divorce court.

VISION: The First Key Component of a Successful Behavioral Health and Primary Care Marriage

Every relationship follows a similar pattern. The early phase begins with the selection of a partner. The same holds true for the integrated behavioral health and primary care partnership. It may begin with running into each other at a meeting. Or perhaps while reading the lastest report on the emerging trend of healthcare integration, Accountable Care Organizations, health homes, etc…

The Vision begins to form                          

The behavioral health and primary care clinics enter into the dating relationship when the leaders of each, who have mutual admiration for each other, begin to recognize the potential of doing business together. One leader calls the other, suggesting they get together for lunch. It’s only lunch, he rationalizes to himself, it doesn’t mean anything…there’s no harm just in talking….

One thing leads to another during the wooing and courting phase; soon the idea transitions and the outline of a plan begins to emerge. The two leaders have entered the early stages of the partnership. The Vision is being created, becoming a driving force for each.

The two organizations soon find themselves having serious discussions about forming a partnership. How did THIS happen?? The proposal is followed with a flurry of planning. There are so many details! Attorneys are kept busy creating a business plan and reviewing financial and regulatory documents, planning for the wedding of two organizations. Decisions must be made of how the assets are to be shared. Finances are sorted, MOUs are signed, and the partnership is official.

The marriage of behavioral health and primary care creates a unique entity that is far greater together than either had, or could have been, alone.

The early stage of the partnership is filled with excitement as the Vision takes shape and becomes reality. The shared vision is driven by the passion to become what neither can achieve alone. The specialty behavioral health provider and the primary care provider have integrated, raising the bar of healthcare for people with behavioral health disorders.

This marriage of healthcare providers is based on a Vision shared by two of eliminating the health disparities of people who suffer from serious mental illness and substance use disorders.

Next time we will explore the second key component of a successful behavioral health and primary care marriage:  Communication.

The Behavioral Health and Primary Care Marriage

We have ascertained in previous posts the value of the integrated behavioral health and primary care partnership. With shrinking healthcare funding and the unmet healthcare needs of people who have serious behavioral health disorders, there are numerous benefits of collaborative care. The blending of resources, expertise, and passion combine to create a synergy that is not possible with one organization alone.

Healthcare Integration Timeline

  • In 430 BC Hippocrates declared:
    “The Body must be treated as a whole and not just a series of parts” 
  • Literature by Dr. Benjamin Maltzberg dating back more than 75 years on studies at the New York State Hospital in Utica has reported “excess mortality due to medical causes in persons with mental disorders”
  • 1999 Surgeon General’s Report on Mental Health
    ◊ First major emphasis on integrated care
    ◊ Dr. David Satcher declared:
       ”There is no Health without Mental Health”
  • 2006 NASMHPD Report, Morbidity and Mortality in People with Serious Mental Illness:
    ◊ People with serious mental illness are dying 25 years earlier than the general population
    ◊ 60% of premature deaths are due to modifiable and preventable medical conditions

The Primary and Behavioral Healthcare Partnership

  • Allow for individual choice in determining the healthcare home
  • Ideal for treatment of the whole person
  • Address the health disparities of people who live with serious behavioral health conditions
  • Bi-directional integration allows for individual choice in determining the healthcare home
  • More efficient and effective use of healthcare dollars
  • CNN Report: Companies merge for a variety of reasons
    ◊ Expansion of market share
    ◊ Acquisition of new lines of distribution or technology
    ◊ Reduction of operating costs
    ◊ Corporate mergers fail (up to 80%!) for some of the same reasons that marriages do -
       A clash of personalities and priorities

Four Key Components of a Successful Behavioral Health and Primary Care Marriage

Like all marriages, the behavioral health and primary care marriage requires nurturing. There are four key components that occur at integral stages within the relationship that must be addressed for successful outcomes, aka living happily ever after.

  1. VISION
    > DATING: Partner Selection
        • Mutual attraction
        • Determining potential
        • Wooing and courting
        • Proposal

    > The WEDDING: Formalizing the Partnership
    • Merging of goals
    • Co-location
    • Finances

  2. COMMUNICATION
    > Early Phase: The HONEYMOON
    • Identify a common language
        • Sharing decision-making
        • Synergy
    > Problems within the Partnership (AKA The HONEYMOON is OVER!)
        • Addressing internal conflicts
        • The use of candor
        • Temper expectations
  3. COMPROMISE: Making it Work
    >MARITAL COUNSELING
       • Developing shared solutions
       • Delegate trust
       • Create empowerment
       • Determine expectations
  4. OUTCOMES
    >The MATURE PARTNERSHIP: Growing Old Together
       • Enhanced outcomes through blending of resources
       • The whole is greater than the sum of its parts
       • Accountability

In the next post we will explore the early phase in the relationship, the  first key component, Vision.

Behavioral Health – Primary Care Integration: Choosing a Model

Which Models Work Best?

There are several model programs for behavioral health and primary care integration in the United States that are currently demonstrating outstanding results, such as Cherokee Health Systems, Intermountain Healthcare, and Washtenaw Community Health Organization. However, to quote Dale Jarvis, of Dale Jarvis and Associates, a national consultant specializing in payment and reimbursement system redesign, financial modeling, and business systems design for healthcare purchasers and providers: “All healthcare is local.”  Behavioral health – primary care partnerships can learn much from the model programs but will need modification to meet the unique needs of their communities. A model that is successful in a rural community may not be effective in an urban setting. State regulations greatly impact the success of various models as well, especially if the model relies heavily on funding sources that may have significant differences from state to state.

The promotion of  behavioral health and primary care integration has been identified nationally as holding promise for improved health outcomes and increased efficiency in the use of healthcare dollars. The United States Department of Health and Human Services, (HHS)  is funding 56 Primary and Behavioral Healthcare Integration (PBHCI) projects in an attempt to identify effective means of integrating healthcare. HHS, in collaboration with the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), seeks to answer three questions about the integration of primary and behavioral healthcare, as noted in this excerpt from the 10/21/10 SAMHSA webinar, Primary and Behavioral Healthcare Integration by Trina Dutta:

  1. Outcome Evaluation: Does the integration of primary and behavioral health care lead to improvements in the behavioral and physical health of the population with serious mental illness (SMI) and/or substance use disorders served by the grantees’ integration models?
  2. Process Evaluation: Is it possible to integrate the services provided by primary care providers and community-based behavioral health agencies (i.e., what are the different structural and clinical approaches to integration being implemented)?
  3. Model Evaluation: Which models and/or respective model features of integrated primary and behavioral health care lead to better mental and physical health outcomes?

(Contractor: RAND Corporation)

In a collaborative effort between the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) a training and technical assistance center, the Center for Integrated Health Solutions, is available for PBHCI grantees and other organizations that are integrating behavioral health and primary care services. The Center for Integrated Health Solutions is a division of the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare.

Behavioral Health – Primary Care Integration Partnerships: Measure Outcomes

MEASURING OUTCOMES

The value of shared outcomes
It should be no surprise to either behavioral health nor primary care partner that measuring outcomes is important. Each organization has a number of metrics that are tracked routinely.  Measuring outcomes of the integrated partnership are just as important. These outcomes should be jointly agreed upon early in the project. Periodic re-evaluation of the outcomes is beneficial to assuring that they remain relevant to each partner. Be prepared to modify as needed.

Identifying outcomes to be measured and faithfully tracking them provides the necessary data for the organizations’ decision makers. The data serves to demonstrate the effectiveness to others as well as for use in securing additional funding in the future.  Outcome measures need not be expensive or overly complicated. The important thing is to be consistent.

Measuring the benefits of the partnership 
The integrated behavioral – health primary care partnership is far greater than the sum of its parts. The synergistic effect of the partnership results in enhancing the lives of the individuals served to a degree that cannot be matched by either organization alone. Treating the hypertension of a person who also suffers from schizophrenia has a far greater impact that in treating either of the comorbid disorders separately. Measuring the outcomes clearly demonstrates the value of the partnership and the significant impact on the life of the individuals served. While most healthcare professionals are driven by the day to day intrinsic value of helping, successes identified in objective reports serve as further motivation to dedicated members of the team.

There is a clear benefit in having fewer services that must be duplicated when the behavioral health and the primary care is provided separately. When exams and diagnostic tests are done by one provider, there is considerable cost savings. Tracking these savings will demonstrate the added value of the partnership.

Quality of life and client satisfaction surveys are effective ways of determining the value that is provided through the collaborative approach to treatment.

It is not enough to feel that you are doing a good job when it comes to demonstrating success. Through measuring the value of services provided in an integrated behavioral health – primary care partnership, the value of the partnership can be indicated in undisputable terms.

This is the last in the series of steps for a successful behavioral health – primary care partnership. These eight steps have been adapted from “Strategies to Preserve Public-Private Partnership ‘Best Practices’: Keys to Genuine Collaboration” by Greg Schmieg and Bob Climko, MD, Behavioral Health Management May/June1998. Vol. 18 . No. 3:

  1. Establishing the Mission of the Partnership
  2. Identifying a Common Language
  3. Maintain Pacing, Flexibility, and Capacity
  4. The Value of Shared Solutions
  5. Determining Expectations
  6. Delegate Trust
  7. Create Empowerment
  8. Measure Outcomes

Behavioral Health – Primary Care Integration Partnerships: Create Empowerment

According to BusinessDictionary.com:

Empowerment:
“Management practice of sharing information, rewards, and power with employees so that they can take initiative and make decisions to solve problems and improve service and performance. It is based on the concept of giving employees the skills, resources, authority, opportunity, motivation, as well as holding them responsible and accountable for outcomes of their actions.” 

Some of the most successful companies in the world understand the added-value of empowering their employees (think Starbucks or Ritz-Carlton). After reading the definition from BusinessDictionary.com, it begs the question of why ANY company would not insist on the promotion of employee empowerment.

CREATE EMPOWERMENT 

Champions at all levels promote success
The success of a partnership between a primary care organization and a behavioral health organization for the provision of integrated service delivery is dependent on the involvement of everyone from the onset. This requires empowering champions at all levels to move the mission forward and create accountability.  Not only is it important for the people at the top to believe in the project, it is even more important for the people who will be providing the services, coordinating the flow, scheduling the appointments, etc. to be empowered to do whatever is necessary to make sure that the clients get the service they require and deserve. This empowerment promotes buy-in among staff. The level of commitment that the members of the team have determines whether a project succeeds or not.  

Encourage communication…don’t shoot the messenger
Communicating with everyone and soliciting feedback ensures ongoing focus on the mission. Be sure to create a forum that allows both positive and negative feedback. Many promising endeavors have failed because the front line staff were not encouraged to share observations of trends or occurrences that were early indicators of problems. Frequent communication among everyone on the team is vital. Management, clinicians, and support staff from both organizations should be included in meetings, emails, and conference calls that allow and encourage an exchange of information and ideas among everyone. In addition, frequent treatment team meetings with clinicians from each organization will ensure an integrated approach for the services provided.

Adapted from “Strategies to Preserve Public-Private Partnership ‘Best Practices’: Keys to Genuine Collaboration” by Greg Schmieg and Bob Climko, MD, Behavioral Health Management May/June 1998. Vol. 18 . No. 3.

Behavioral Health – Primary Care Integration Partnerships: Delegate Trust

The delicate subject of trust is the focus of this installment in the series devoted to creating a healthy integrated partnership between behavioral health and primary care. This has been adapted from “Strategies to Preserve Public-Private Partnership ‘Best Practices’: Keys to Genuine Collaboration” by Greg Schmieg and Bob Climko, MD, Behavioral Health Management May/June 1998. Vol. 18 . No. 3.
 
DELEGATING TRUST
 
Trust is necessary to overcome expected conflict
When team members of the behavioral health and the primary care organizations come together for an integrated partnership, typically everyone is on their best behavior. It is easy to have a harmonious relationship at this stage. However, when conflict first intrudes, particularly regarding shared goals and outcomes, the amount of trust between partners can make or break the partnership. Create the forums at the onset to maintain a system of checks and balances. Face-to-face time creates a forum for maintaining checks and balances to ensure fidelity to the mission. Constantly solicit feedback from partners at all levels. The transparency also breeds trust.
 
Focus on building trust at all levels
It takes a significant amount of trust for a person to commit to any partnership; the behavioral health primary care integrated partnership is no different. Often the partnership is created when two leaders, most likely chief executive officers of the organizations, decide to bring together their collective expertise. The two CEOs build upon their mutual shared experiences of serving on committees, community boards, etc. together. They travel in similar circles and have developed reciprocal trust and respect. Unfortunately, a frequently overlooked aspect of this process is the fact that the managers and frontline staff who must join together to make the collaborative partnership a reality have NOT had the opportunity to develop that same level of trust. The wise leader recognizes the importance of building the trust necessary for a solid foundation between partners. Trust does not automatically filter down. Devoting considerable face time during the planning stage aids in establishing a firm foundation of trust. Dedicated time for regular interaction (weekly/monthly meetings, conference calls, etc.) helps to maintain the connection. Maintaining the flow of communication helps everyone to stay current with expectations and reduces the chance of surprises, which can quickly erode trust. Bringing together staff with their counterparts allows for those relationships to develop separately in addition to the collective partnership/relationship. It also allows issues and solutions to be addressed at the appropriate level. Medical Directors must communicate with Medical Directors; nurses communicate with nurses. When the CEOs communicate with each other in their decision-making process, they will benefit from the solidarity among the matched pairs in gathering input. Making informed decisions prevents leaders from forcing issues and promotes the trust that is so vital to success relationships.
 
“The glue that holds all relationships together – including the relationship between the leader and the led is trust, and trust is based on integrity.” -Brian Tracy
 

Behavioral Health – Primary Care Integration Partnerships: The Value of Shared Solutions

The next step in the process of developing a successful behavioral health – primary care integrated partnership, is developing  shared solutions for the partnership. This is adapted from “Strategies to Preserve Public-Private Partnership ‘Best Practices’: Keys to Genuine Collaboration” by Greg Schmieg and Bob Climko, MD, Behavioral Health Management May/June 1998. Vol. 18 . No. 3.

 DEVELOPING SHARED SOLUTIONS

When behavioral health and primary care organizations collaborate to provide integrated services, it is very important to develop shared solutions for success in the endeavor. For a partnership to meet the needs of all partners, the decision-making must be shared. The decision makers must be open to new ideas and problem solving. 

One of the most difficult tasks in a partnership is bringing two disparate organizations together, asking them to compromise for the good of the relationship.  All stakeholders traditionally are in favor of creating a shared solution…..as long as they aren’t the ones who are asked to make the change. This step requires taking the time to explore the areas in which the partners can make adjustments versus the areas that require strict adherence to the regulations of the organization.

This step in the partnership requires time to come to an agreement. Negotiations may take some time, but are worth the investment.  Everyone must have skin in the game. During the process of negotiating, the ideal end result will develop from compromise among all partners. Patience and understanding are vital at this point and will ultimately result in a shared solution if the partnership is viable. Shared solutions maximize organizational efficiency and capacity. It helps to avoid the “blame game”.

Healthy partnerships result from both give and take on the part of all partners. Compromise is important for the success of the partnership.  Partners have much more invested in the successful outcome when there is agreement on the ultimate mission.