Education, Policy Reforms Needed for Behavioral and Primary Care Integration Success

Primary care providers (PCPs) are often the first stop for patients when seeking behavioral health services. Busy PCPs often lack the resources to integrate behavioral health services into their practices fully. But that may change as federal and state lawmakers advocate for more collaborative care models. “Primary care is behavioral health,” Melissa Merrick, executive vice […]

Driven by ‘Urgent Need’ Payers, Providers Take Action to Integrate Behavioral Health Into Women’s Health Care

For many women, an OB-GYN clinician is the physician they see most often. Women often visit their OB-GYN during vulnerable periods of life, including adolescence, pregnancy, postpartum and the menopausal transition, which can trigger bouts of depression or anxiety.  The integration of behavioral health and women’s health care has become more common as OB-GYNs encounter […]

Acadia CEO: EHR Investment Crucial to Enabling Value-Based Care Contracts

Acadia (NASDAQ: ACHC) is prioritizing strategic investment in its technology capabilities and comprehensive treatment centers (CTCs) for opioid use disorder. At the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference, Acadia CEO Christopher Hunter said these priorities would “drive the business forward” over the next year. As the largest pure-play behavioral health provider, Acadia sets the tone for the […]

Uwill Acquires Christie Campus Health, Expands College Mental Health Services

On-campus mental health provider Uwill announced its first-ever acquisition on Tuesday. The Natick, Massachusetts-based startup has acquired Lexington, Massachusetts-based Christie Campus Health. The latter provides counseling, mental health and wellness services to about 750,000 students at over 100 colleges, according to a news release. The terms of the deals were not disclosed. “By combining Christie […]

Discovery Behavioral Health Trims Residential Care To Shift Business Strategy

Discovery Behavioral Health has consolidated or closed around 14 to 16 locations as part of a retooling of the company in the face of severe market pressures. The provider plans to deemphasize its focus on legacy residential care and double down on its “consumer-direct approach,” Discovery Behavioral Health CEO John Peloquin told Behavioral Health Business. […]

Top Behavioral Health Stories of 2023: Bankruptcies, ‘Ghost Networks’ Shake the Industry

2023 has been a tumultuous year for the behavioral health space. Macroeconomic headwinds, including rising interest rates plus unrest in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, has slowed dealmaking. Additionally, many providers have struggled to raise more capital as investors tighten their purse strings. At least two major companies in behavioral health care have filed […]

Out-of-Pocket Therapy Visits Average Nearly $175 an Hour

Only one-third of Americans with a behavioral health condition received treatment within a year of their diagnosis. That’s based on a new analysis of 2021 data by the actuary and technology consulting company Milliman; the nonprofit Inseparable commissioned the research. The resultant report paints a picture of how and where Americans are cut off from […]

Wrap-Around Services, New Funding Models Hold Promise for Improving SMI Treatment

The behavioral health industry often falls short when caring for underserved communities with serious mental illness and substance use disorders. Despite the infusion of capital that poured into the mental health industry over the last few years, the bulk of that investment has been centered around low-acuity patients with commercial health plans. However, many are […]

Behavioral Health Treatment Center Merges with B2B Telehealth Company, Lands $7M Round

Behavioral health companies Integrative Life Network LLC and Integrative Health Centers Inc. have merged, rebranding as Peregrine Health. The fusion of the two Nashville, Tennessee-based behavioral health companies creates a company with direct-to-consumer and business-to-business service lines. Each was founded and led by Ryan Chapman, who will lead the combined company as CEO, according to […]