Utilizing a Behavioral Health Consultant

You work in Behavioral Health. Your work is successfully making an impact in your community. Why should you hire a Behavioral Health Consultant to assist your organization?

1. You have limited time and resources

You may be an expert on, for example, specific accreditation standards or Medicaid compliance. However, do you have time to ensure every detailed aspect of that project is carried out accurately and effectively? Maybe not. Hiring a Behavioral Health Consultant can free your time.

2. The world of behavioral health is constantly changing. It’s challenging to keep up!

Our consultants stay on top of the latest behavioral health news and trends. We use this knowledge to effectively address your organizational concerns.

3. You can focus more on what matters most….patients

Working in the field of mental health is meaningful. People pursue careers in this field because they find psychology and human behavior interesting. More than likely, they want to help others. Consultants can provide assistance with basic but essential tasks as well as a fresh approach to problem solving and/or pursuing new opportunities. Utilizing a consultant will open up your organization’s time to focus on the patients and community you serve.

Brown Consulting Ltd. specializes in behavioral services.

Brown Consulting controls the shifting landscape of behavioral health by thoroughly understanding the marketplace today and tomorrow. We offer strategy and solutions for our client’s concerns, including but not limited to:

• Accreditation Compliance (CARF, COA, TJC)
• Strategic Planning
• HIPAA Compliance
• New Program Feasibility Analysis
• Staff Recruitment services

Additionally, we offer customized services. Every state is different. Every organization is different. Every problem requires a unique combination of solutions. This is why, as consultants, we will approach your organizational needs individually and guarantee your satisfaction.

-Megan Phillips, M.A.

What is Evidence-Based Best Practice in Behavioral Health?

Behavioral Health Clinical practice guidelines are recommendations for clinicians about the care of patients with specific conditions. Practice guidelines are based on strong available research evidence and practice experience. A best practice is a method or technique that is generally accepted as higher-quality than any other choices. These best practice techniques produce outcomes that are better than results achieved through other options. Many times, best practice techniques take precedence over the minimum effort needed to comply with legal or ethical requirements.

Want to read more about clinical evidence-based best practice guidelines? Click on the following Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) link for a list of organizations’ websites that cover mental health treatment evidence-based practices (EBPs): Mental Health Treatment Evidence-Based Practices (EBP)

Reference:

https://www.samhsa.gov/ebp-web-guide/mental-health-treatment

The Joint Commission Updates

TJC has released the Revisions to Decision Rules and the Post-Survey Process.  The following changes have been made as of 1/1/2017 for all organizations seeking re-accreditation:

1. An organization with a decision of Accreditation with Follow-up Survey will receive notice of full accreditation once it has successfully submitted Evidence of Standards Compliance (ESC). However, a follow-up survey must be conducted within six months to confirm sustained compliance with the ESC.

2. Another change is that the category of Contingent Accreditation has been eliminated, leaving only four possible decision outcomes for currently accredited organizations: Accredited, Accreditation with Follow-up Survey, Preliminary Denial of Accreditation, and Denial of Accreditation.

Please click on the follwing link for further information about these TJC revisions: TJC Revision to Decision Rules and the Post-Survey Process

Remember, Brown Consulting, Ltd. can help your organization with TJC Accreditation Compliance!

Information about the Accreditation Compliance Analysis offered through Brown Consulting Ltd. can be found on the Our Services page on our site.

Reference:

https://www.jointcommission.org/assets/1/18/Revisions_Decision_Rules_Post_Survey.pdf

Behavioral Health Accreditation Comparison: CARF, COA and TJC

Accreditation ensures quality care and services are provided to individuals in a safe manner. Onsite accreditation surveys demonstrate if programs and services are conducted in a manner that is consistent with established, field tested standards. It is a key way for behavioral health organizations to show commitment to quality as well as a possible conditions for federal and state regulatory compliance, grants, reimbursement for certain insurers or other payers, Medicaid certification, etc.

Accreditation can be a daunting task for behavioral health providers. Here are the major similarities and differences between CARF, COA and TJC Accreditation:

CARF- Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities

CARF International is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services. They accredit around 47,000 programs and services with more than 20,000 locations on five continents. CARF directly impacts over 8.3 million people through over 6,000 providers.

Website: http://www.carf.org/home/

Founded: 1966

Who they Accredit: Health and Human Service organizations. CARF accredits Aging Services, Behavioral Health, Child and Youth Services, Employment and Community Services, Opioid Treatment Programs, etc.

Length of Accreditation: Options include 3-Year Accreditation, 1-Year Accreditation, Provisional Accreditation, Non-Accreditation, Preliminary Accreditation.

Amount of Preparation Time Needed: 6-9 months for a new accreditation and for re-accreditation.

Cost of Accreditation: Application fee is $995. Survey Fee is $1,670 fee per surveyor, per day (i.e. 2 surveyors: $6,880 – All travel, hotel, etc. costs are included in the day rate).

COA- Council on Accreditation

The Council on Accreditation (COA) is an international, independent, nonprofit, human service accrediting organization. They currently accredit more than 2,200 organizations and programs serving more than 7 million individuals and families.

Website: http://coanet.org/home/

Founded: 1977

Who they Accredit: Human Service Organizations. COA accredits the full continuum of child welfare, behavioral health, and community-based social services.

Length of Accreditation: 3 years for Opioid Treatment Programs and 4 years for other programs.

Amount of Preparation Time Needed: 9-16 months.

Cost of Accreditation: 

• Application Fee: No Application Fee
• Accreditation Fee: Fees are based on an organization’s annual revenue, and start at a minimum of $9,712 for an organization with revenue of up to $500,000.  The fee increases accordingly in increments of $500,000 up to $20,000,000.
  • Example:
    • Annual revenue up to to $500,000 = $9,712
    • $500,001 – $1,000,000 = $11,871
    • $1,000,001 – $1,500,000 = $13,412

• Site Visit Fee: Flat fee of $2,200 per Reviewer for a two-day on-site review, plus $475 per day multiplied by the number of Reviewers for each additional day.
• Maintenance of Accreditation Fee: No maintenance fees

For further information on the COA accreditation process, click on the following link:  https://coanet.org/accreditation-process/

TJC- The Joint Commission

The Joint Commission (TJC) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies nearly 21,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States.

Website: https://www.jointcommission.org/

Founded: 1951

Who they Accredit: Many types of health care organizations including hospitals, doctor’s offices, nursing homes, office-based surgery centers, behavioral health treatment facilities, and providers of home care services.

Length of Accreditation: 3 year accreditation.

Amount of Preparation Time Needed: 4-6 months.

Cost of Accreditation: Fee estimates vary and are based on current published pricing and information about services and service volume provided by your organization.

• Application Fee: Initial applicants must submit a non-transferable, non-refundable deposit of $1,700 with the application for survey.
• Annual Fee: A pro-rated annual fee is billed at the beginning of the quarter after which an initial application is received.

For further information click on the following link: https://www.jointcommission.org/assets/1/18/bhc_price_worksheet.pdf

We at Brown Consulting are specialists in Behavioral Health Consulting with an expertise in accreditation. Give us a call with any accreditation questions today: 1-800-495-6786.

-Megan Phillips, M.A.

References:

http://www.carf.org/home/

http://coanet.org/home/

https://coa.my.salesforce.com/sfc/p/#300000000aAU/a/500000000Gjj/rVWbesQCUgaY33zMQ87xd1s3eecCLoKM6wu_TI48Ngk

https://www.jointcommission.org/

https://www.jointcommission.org/assets/1/18/bhc_price_worksheet.pdf

Strategic Planning Tips

To accomplish anything great—completing college, moving across country, baking a delicious pie from scratch—you need a plan.  A strategic plan helps you brainstorm what a business can accomplish and narrows down exactly where to target your energy. In the unpredictable world of working in behavioral health, a solid strategic plan is essential for success.

So, how should a mental health organization approach strategic planning? Brown Consulting, Ltd. has been working with behavioral health providers co-creating strategic plans for nearly 30 years. Here are our top tips:

1. Identify your strengths and weaknesses

This is more difficult than it seems. It is important to truly understand the inside and outside perceptions of your organization. This step additionally involves researching the environment surrounding your business, as well as the current marketplace. Also, it’s important at this stage to thoroughly evaluate your budget.

2. Specify what you want to achieve

Narrow down your most important goals. How do you want your organization to function over the next 1, 3, & 5 years? What is your current mission? How do you see this mission evolving over time? Then, brainstorm steps to achieve those goals. Identify which goals are priority and where you choose to focus your energy first.

3. Assign tasks to experts who will ensure goals are achieved

Putting the right people in the right places is an old business adage that still rings true. Similarly, this is the time to define who in your business is taking the reins with each goal in your plan. Discuss strategies, budgets and create an action plan for all steps leading to goal attainment.

4. Make your Strategic Plan a working document

Your plan is complete—or is it? Reviewing your plan regularly and often keeps your direction true. Take time to review the process of your plan. It is a strength to think of your strategic plan as a living document that is flexible to change, and therefore innovation.

A strategic plan is a necessary tool to help an organization thrive. We at Brown Consulting, Ltd. are behavioral health experts dedicated to helping behavioral health organizations succeed. Our strategic planning services assist our clients in identifying, planning, developing, implementing and monitoring strategic initiatives for future and continued success. The length of our strategic planning process typically lasts from three to six months.

The Initial Phase of the strategic planning process includes a full review of the industry trends (national, state and local), an organizational and operational analysis which includes evaluation of programs, product line, promotional/marketing and revenue sources so organizations can guide their strategic decision-making processes. Additionally, a market and competitive analysis is completed. Finally, strategic planning groups are conducted with various levels of the organization including Board Members, Executive Leadership, Management and Staff.

Best of luck and happy planning!

-Megan Phillips, M.A.