Intensive Outpatient Pilot Yields Double Digit Reduction in Hospital Readmissions, ER Utilization
Date: 10/23/19
Significant cost savings achieved through less-restrictive services
Baton Rouge, La. (October 23, 2019) – A year-long, innovative outpatient behavioral health pilot has yielded an 84 percent reduction in hospital readmissions and a 58 percent reduction in ER visits, reducing costs and increasing positive health outcomes for participants.
The pilot program, a joint endeavor of Oceans Healthcare and Medicaid health plan Louisiana Healthcare Connections, established an intensive outpatient treatment model for members who demonstrated a need for behavioral health care.
Implemented at Oceans Behavioral Hospitals across Louisiana, the pilot yielded significant reductions in hospital admissions, readmissions and emergency room use for Medicaid members enrolled in Louisiana Healthcare Connections.
Oceans provided members with outpatient services that included intensive daily counseling, relapse reduction strategies and coordinated care management planning. These services enable patients with mental health diagnoses, such as schizophrenia and severe depression, to receive treatment outside the often-costly setting of a hospital ER or inpatient unit. In many cases, patients managing chronic mental illness were able to increase the frequency of treatment contributing to better long-term outcomes. Through outpatient services, patients are empowered to maintain jobs and live at home with their families while receiving care.
“Care delivery is changing, and we want to create a system in which individuals are best positioned to seek treatment in the least restrictive environment,” said Stuart Archer, CEO of Oceans Healthcare. “Through our pilot program, we have clear evidence that our proven clinical model is critical to supporting the most vulnerable individuals in our communities, enhancing patient outcomes and addressing expensive hospitalizations and readmissions.”
Kendra Case, Louisiana Healthcare Connections Chief Operating Officer, noted, “Our joint goal for this pilot was to demonstrate that these services were a missing step in the life cycle of patients with complex psychological conditions. Too often, when these services are not available, behavioral health patients may fall through the cracks in the system. This model ensures they have the support they need, from the moment they leave the inpatient setting, and the result is both improved health outcomes and reduced health care costs.”
Between August 1, 2018, and July 31, 2019, results achieved include:
- A 50% increase in care management engagement among enrolled members
- An 84% reduction in hospital admissions among enrolled members
- An 84% reduction in hospital readmission rates among enrolled members
- A 58% reduction in ER visits among enrolled members
“The results of our pilot shine a light on a solution that could help so many individuals in need,” Archer said. “We’re looking to the future as we put a greater emphasis on supporting the patient wherever they may be along their health care journey.”
“Oceans Behavioral Health shares our commitment to helping our members achieve improved health through evidence-based, cost-effective care,” said Case. “We look forward to a continued partnership with Oceans in expanding this pilot in our state and engaging other facilities and hospitals in this innovative model of care.”
About Louisiana Healthcare Connections
Established to deliver quality healthcare through local, regional and community-based partners, Louisiana Healthcare Connections is a Healthy Louisiana plan headquartered in Baton Rouge, La. Louisiana Healthcare Connections exists to improve the health of its members through focused, compassionate and coordinated care. Because Louisiana Healthcare Connections believes healthy is a way of life, its members benefit from programs and services designed for their personal well-being. For more information, visit www.LouisianaHealthConnect.com.
About Oceans Behavioral Health
Oceans Healthcare is a growing behavioral health provider focused on healing and long-term recovery. Founded in 2004, Oceans provides inpatient and outpatient treatment to individuals 18 and older, with a special focus on the unique physical and emotional needs of older adults. With 18 hospitals and 29 treatment locations across the Southeast, Oceans hospitals treated more than 17,000 individuals in 2018. The company consistently achieves industry-leading performance metrics on national quality and safety measurements, as determined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and The Joint Commission, and was recently named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing private companies in America for the fourth consecutive year. For more information, visit www.oceanshealthcare.com.