Despite outdated processes and their pain points, most practitioners across the Behavioral Health Industry are behind the curve in adopting an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. Providers are weary of implementing a new system for their business due to the long process which can result in loss of time and resources. Behavioral Healthcare is unique in the varying needs and nuances within the same industry. There is no one size fits all solution and we see smaller agencies maintaining their systems and inefficient processes as a result. Unorganized rooms full of paper files, inconsistent notes and payments being lost or not fully processed are just some of the common practices among small and mid-sized agencies. The unique, high-touch, quality care necessary to meet patient demand typically takes precedence over implementing technology and improving existing processes.
A recent article from Behavioral Health Business listed some of the ways EHRs will shape the future of Behavioral Healthcare. As of 2022, only 6% of Behavioral Health agencies have implemented an EHR System. A major gap between the 80% of hospitals that currently utilize EHR with success. In response, providers spoke on their reservations around implementation - ones we have heard from clients and answered through our EHR Implementation process. Proper EHR implementation might be the
Cost of EHR implementation
On average, EHR implementation can cost anywhere from $15,000-$70,000 in resources, training and software. This amount can be a huge risk to a small agency. An integral part of our process at TLock Solutions is Asset Recovery, where we monitor, utilize and recover assets that may have been overlooked to get agencies the capital they need to sustain the implementation process. We have recovered over $100,000 in assets for some clients, making the short-term expense a no-brainer. If passed, the Behavioral Health Information Technologies (BHIT) Now Act will incentivize Behavioral Health agencies with resources to implement EHR systems mitigating the risk and increasing the margin of return.
Niche Agency Needs
Behavioral Health is not as cut and dry as Physical Healthcare. Industry wide, there are varying needs depending on the client demographic, specific specialization and the institutions you work within. For example, a psychiatrist treating high school students will require a different system than an agency treating adults with drug addiction. That is a huge reason we offer an end-to-end EHR implementation process that includes system vetting. We observe the current processes and needs of our clients and help select the best software to meet their unique demands.
Technological Learning Curve
Many practitioners are weary of the time and resources needed to properly train and implement EHR within their existing staff. Not only do new systems require education internally, but existing clients will have to get acclimated as well. Our team of experts at TLock Solutions consist of billing, clinician and provider experience to bring a holistic and custom End User Training experience to each of our clients.
With the demand for Behavioral Health services consistently increasing, inflation rates and changing laws and policies, EHR Implementation is no longer just an option but a secret weapon for success. Give your clients the value-based care that they need with better program tracking, sophisticated data points and process ease. Learn more about the ways we can support your EHR Implementation and Management process here on our website and stay connected with us on LinkedIn for updates on Behavioral Health industry news and best practices for EHR success.
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