According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, behavioral health is defined as:
The promotion of mental health, resilience and wellbeing; the treatment of mental and substance use disorders; and the support of those who experience and/or are in recovery from these conditions, along with their families and communities.
Behavioral health refers to a variety of conditions including depression, anxiety, weight loss, smoking cessation, and drinking or drug use problems. When left untreated, behavioral health conditions can drive up the cost of healthcare in the United States. As a result, clients with behavioral health issues are more likely to have chronic conditions—including high blood pressure, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke—than those without a behavioral health condition.
In addition, people with behavioral health conditions tend to have higher rates of hospital readmissions and seek ongoing treatment in emergency rooms.
According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), 20 percent of Medicaid enrollees have some sort of behavioral health diagnosis. clients diagnosed with mental illness and common chronic health conditions have healthcare costs that are 60 percent to 75 percent higher than the average individual cost.
Prevention, early detection, and treatment of behavioral health conditions can lead to improved physical and community health and help prevent other public health issues.
Welkin’s software is designed to make it convenient for people with behavioral health issues to connect with their doctor, therapist, or health coach. From participating in a telehealth session to sending an email to a therapist, Welkin’s communication features are seamless. Our platform minimizes the barriers that may deter or prevent clients from getting the help they need. For example, clients who live in rural or urban areas may have limited access to the specialized type of health care they need. For clients in suburban areas, the stigma associated with a mental health diagnosis or struggle with addiction may prevent them from seeking in-person treatment. Welkin is powered to meet clients where they are and manage a diverse range of client expectations and needs.
When communication is seamless and the quality of service is high, it becomes easier for care teams to proactively and effectively address both physical and mental health problems. This proactive approach can help clients prevent and manage chronic disease.
There is a strong, scientific connection between chronic disease and mental health. When a client’s mental health issues are identified and addressed through care teams, chronic disease can be prevented or reversed. This can reduce the costs of unnecessary hospitalizations or emergency department visits.
With a large caseload, it can be difficult to remember each client’s story, diagnosis, and progress. With a Patient Relationship Management solution, you’ll be able to build and access a 360-degree, detailed overview of each client.
PRM software should conform to your practice. With simple software, you can customize and automate your platform in a way that will work best for you and for your client. For instance, with Welkin Health, you can update your programs without having to write a single line of code.
When mental health professionals rely on file folders, paper calendars, and voicemail, they are losing time that could be spent with clients. With PRM software, one simple platform can give them all the tools, organized in one place.
When client data can be exported or shared, coordination and collaboration with a client’s team of healthcare providers is seamless. This is critical when a client is being treated for either a physical or mental health condition.
Welkin Health is a digital health company that helps healthcare organizations increase revenue and reduce operational costs with improved health outcomes through engagement, education, and support programs for people living with chronic disease including behavioral disorders. Our workflow and communication software allow care teams to prioritize patient outreach and reach members on any device—including SMS, phone call, and email. Welkin helps teams focus on building and maintaining long-term relationships with custom configurations of the Welkin Patient Relationship Management platform.
For more information about Welkin Health, request a demo above.
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