Behavioral health and mental health are sometimes used interchangeably, but behavioral health extends beyond mental health and encompasses a broad array of psychiatric and/or psychological services provided in many different settings. Behavioral healthcare is used to describe the connection between behaviors and the health and well-being of the mind, body, and spirit. It can include behaviors, such as habits like eating or drinking, that impact humans over time or immediately either physically or mentally. It can also refer to much broader factors such as dealing with stress over long periods of time or living in overpopulated areas. When it comes to these behaviors, some are controllable and some are not. Many are limited by things that are
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In the HITECH Act, $19 billion were committed to incentivize the advancement of health information technology (HIT) use, providing a maximum of $44,000 for each eligible professional under Medicare and $63,750 under Medicaid, as well as opening a potential for millions to hospitals that demonstrated meaningful use of EHRs. While some behavioral healthcare providers such as psychiatrists and some nurse practitioners qualify, the failure of these incentives to apply to most behavioral healthcare providers has led to many being unable to overcome the financial hurdles of transition. In 2010 the Health Information Technology Extension for Behavioral Health Services Act was introduced to extend these incentives by ensuring the eligibility of many behavioral and mental health professionals, psychiatric hospitals, behavioral and mental health treatment facilities, and substance abuse treatment …show more content…
Utilizing a well-designed EHR system can allow practitioners to document interactions with patients in such a way that the information can be used to empower client and family interactions, strengthen communication among practitioners, and allow better reporting. An EHR can also strengthen interoperability. If the EHR system can communicate with outside clinicians or facilities, a much more detailed picture of the patient and their overall physical and mental health can be developed. This assists in making better decisions related to the patient’s care. Some key characteristics to consider for potential EHRs for behavioral healthcare are as
In the HITECH Act, $19 billion were committed to incentivize the advancement of health information technology (HIT) use, providing a maximum of $44,000 for each eligible professional under Medicare and $63,750 under Medicaid, as well as opening a potential for millions to hospitals that demonstrated meaningful use of EHRs. While some behavioral healthcare providers such as psychiatrists and some nurse practitioners qualify, the failure of these incentives to apply to most behavioral healthcare providers has led to many being unable to overcome the financial hurdles of transition. In 2010 the Health Information Technology Extension for Behavioral Health Services Act was introduced to extend these incentives by ensuring the eligibility of many behavioral and mental health professionals, psychiatric hospitals, behavioral and mental health treatment facilities, and substance abuse treatment …show more content…
Utilizing a well-designed EHR system can allow practitioners to document interactions with patients in such a way that the information can be used to empower client and family interactions, strengthen communication among practitioners, and allow better reporting. An EHR can also strengthen interoperability. If the EHR system can communicate with outside clinicians or facilities, a much more detailed picture of the patient and their overall physical and mental health can be developed. This assists in making better decisions related to the patient’s care. Some key characteristics to consider for potential EHRs for behavioral healthcare are as