How this health system builds its own behavioral health workforce

Broaching the subject of value-based models in behavioral health can be a challenge, according to Tracey Izzard-Everett, vice president of behavioral health services at Sentara. 

Leveraging behavioral health providers to help health plans hit quality outcome goals has been successful for the Norfolk, Va.-based system, Ms. Izzard-Everett said. 

"We're gathering data that the behavioral health providers can help us meet, then we share the savings. That's been really helpful. We've seen a reduction in ED visits, a reduction in behavioral health inpatient stays," she said. 

The model has also helped shift behavioral care from inpatient stays to community-based services, helping to save costs, she said. 

Ms. Izzard-Everett will speak on "Value-Based Models in Behavioral Health for Improved Outcomes" at Becker's Behavioral Health Summit. She caught up with Becker's to discuss Sentara's approach to value-based care and her strategy for approaching workforce challenges. 

Building a workforce 

The top trend and challenge in behavioral health in 2025 is the ongoing shortage of behavioral health providers, Ms. Izzard-Everett said. 

There could be a "cooling off" of telehealth in the future, she added, especially if Medicare reimbursement for behavioral telehealth without an in-person component is not extended. 

"We're looking at hybrid options for staff so we're a little more prepared," she said. "I don't think telehealth will ever fully go away, but we do need to make sure that we've got solid ground, working order options." 

The health system has also built in-house programs to bolster staff, she said. 

"We've developed our in-house [continuing education] program that's free of charge to mental health providers," she said. "We're developing our own in-house clinical supervision for licensure program, which we really believe will help create our own workforce." 

Creating connections 

Another priority for Sentara this year is integrating behavioral health with other forms of care. 

The system is adding behavioral health navigators to all of its emergency rooms, Ms. Izzard-Everett said, to connect individuals with community resources, and shorten lengths-of-stay for behavioral health crises. 

The system is also embedding therapists in primary care practices, she said. 

"I feel really good about the integration we're seeing between physical healthcare and behavioral healthcare," she said. "Everybody's talking about it." 

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