New BDC Insights Paper Recommends Integration of Physical and Behavioral Health as Major Step Toward Population Health Management
BDC Advisors, the national healthcare consulting firm, announced the distribution of a new Insights paper Integrating Physical and Behavioral Health: A Major Step Toward Population Health Management by Phyllis Floyd, MD, a Senior Advisor at the firm. The paper makes a compelling case for the integration of physical and behavioral health, a frequently overlooked component of ACOs and population health management programs.
The article, which was published as a feature in the January 2016 issue of hfm Magazine of the Healthcare Financial Management Association, estimates that as much as $26 billion annually could be saved through comprehensive integration of behavioral health and primary care services, while improving outcomes and patient life style.
Dr. Floyd’s paper documents the fact that patients with physical conditions commonly have mental health conditions affecting their ability to be compliant with care plans, and those with severe mental health disorders have a much higher frequency of chronic medical conditions. Both groups have much higher costs for their physical health issues and could greatly benefit from integrated care by primary care and behavioral health providers.
Rick Wesslund, Founder and Chairman of BDC Advisors, commented, “Dr. Floyd’s article provides compelling financial and quality data to support pursuing tighter integration of behavioral health with physical health, and a comprehensive description of the types of behavioral-physical health integration that can work. It is clear from Dr. Floyd’s article that integrating physical and behavioral health should be a business and clinical priority for any organization involved in healthcare reform.”
To download the article, click here. Dr. Floyd would welcome any comments you might have and can be contacted at phyllis.floyd@bdcadvisors.com.
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