Netsmart CareThreads

Jonah Cunningham is a policy expert who’s seen the evolution of healthcare––up to his present role as CEO of National Association of County Behavioral Health & Developmental Disability Directors (NACBHDD) and Executive Director of National Association of Rural Mental Health (NARMH). In this podcast, he sits down with Tom Herzog, Chief Operating Officer of Netsmart, to discuss current trends in behavioral health and human services. The conversation reveals how some of healthcare’s most innovative programs––including 988 crisis lines and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), as well as AI technology––have grown from partnerships, be they local or industry collaborations. Cunningham challenges all individuals to use their voice to inspire continuous innovation in behavioral health, addictions, crisis care and more.Listeners will learn:The challenges and innovations facing human services organizations today, including recruitment and retention.The role of local authorities, counties, federal agencies and community partnerships––and how you can get involved.The importance of Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) and risk management to treat population health.If you want to hear more episodes like this one, look for the Netsmart CareThreads podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Autism has become a significant issue in healthcare today, with rapidly rising diagnoses each year and new legislation mandating insurance coverage in all 50 states. In this podcast, Jamie Pagliaro, Executive Vice President and Chief Learning Officer at Rethink, a leading provider of ABA solutions, sits down with Jen Gray, Director of Solution Consulting at Netsmart, to talk about the growing demand for autism care. They’ll discuss the impact on service providers like BCBAs and RBTs, along with some emerging technology that can help with large caseloads and overwhelming documentation. (Which translates to increased recruitment and retention for organizations.) Check out this podcast to learn about the future of autism treatment and how you can better serve individuals in your community.Key objectives include:Understand how and why the increase in autism diagnoses has changed the landscape of care in recent years, and what that means for your organizationLearn how technology can help with recruitment and retention, and why increased demand for autism may be causing turnover in BCBAs and RBTsThe importance of data collection, analysis and reporting to drive decision-making and care integration, using a single platform

What strategies do provider groups operating in Accountable Care Organizations and Medicare Advantage Plans need to successfully partner with the growing Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) markets? Join Beth Reece, VP and GM of GEHRIMED at Netsmart, Todd Tyler, CIO at Curana Health, and Mike Emery, EVP at Curana Health, to discuss innovative senior care solutions, emphasizing prevention and care coordination. The guests shed light on the future of CCRCs, focusing on continuous innovation, expanded services, and cost-effective, high-quality care to support aging in place and prevent the need for higher acuity care settings.Key Takeaways:Adapting to the Middle Market: CCRCs accommodate both high-end and middle-market residents, offering affordable housing options to serve a broader audience.Innovation in Care Models: On-site primary care, telemedicine, and technology drive proactive, engaging healthcare for residents.Partnerships for Better Outcomes: Collaborations between Curana Health, CCRCs, and tech providers like Netsmart and GEHRIMED are enhancing care quality while managing costs.Future of CCRCs: Focus on continuous innovation, expanded services, and cost-effective, high-quality care to support aging in place and prevent the need for higher levels of care.

What strategies do a human services organization need to improve both top-line (growth) and bottom-line (profit) sustainability? Join Dave Strocchia, SVP, Netsmart, as he shares insights with Monica Oss, CEO, OPEN MINDS. This conversation will focus on new and emerging technology as the secret to a healthy business––including less overhead, happier staff, more service lines and stronger consumer engagement.Come away with an understanding of:The importance of automation to optimize your bottom line and increase employee satisfactionHow emerging technologies like AI can transform your clinical processesTechnology as a strategy for improving and diversifying your relationships with payersWhy data is more important than ever to prove your valueThe path toward integrated care and why it’s so important to sustainabilityWhere technology is headed and what we can expect in the futureIf you want to hear more episodes like this one, look for the Netsmart CareThreads podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

How did a CFO with a non-clinical background revolutionize care outcomes for a 140-year-old IDD nonprofit? In this episode, Toni Pergolin, CEO, Bancroft, talks with Mike Valentine, CEO, Netsmart, about her unexpected journey from changing budgets to changing lives. Learn the financial and strategic planning measures that took her organization from a struggling intuition to an innovative industry leader. Best of all, discover how the right business decisions benefit everyone from consumers to staff to communities. Come away with an understanding of:The importance of focusing on key initiatives before you allow yourself to growHow to create the right strategic plan––and implement it as a team Why technology is crucial for innovation, care, and your bottom lineKey guidelines for operating a Human Services nonprofit, and the importance of community relationships to the well-being of your consumers. If you want to hear more episodes like this one, look for the Netsmart CareThreads podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

The president of the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) says the performance of these agencies during the pandemic raised their awareness among the public and people in other parts of health care services. As we move through 2023, and further away from the pandemic, home care agencies and hospices are looking to increase their value in the overall home care landscape.In this episode, NAHC President Bill Dombi talks with Mike Dordick, Netsmart SVP of Post-Acute Strategy, about the current environment, challenges and opportunities for the home care and hospice industry. Listen in as these two healthcare leaders talk about what you need to know as you work through 2023.Join us as we discuss:Solutions to workforce shortagesThe growing Medicare Advantage populationThe impact the new Congress will have on policy and regulationHome care expansionDombi’s forecast for the futureIf you want to hear more episodes like this one, look for the Netsmart CareThreads podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or however you listen to your podcasts.

While healthcare is often viewed with an episodic lens, human services operate very different. Benchmark Human Services has found when it comes to managing the most complex populations, integrated care is more vital than ever to driving better outcomes. With a clear mission of serving people at the forefront, they’ve taken a lifestyle approach to care and evolved their model to meet the unique needs of each state, serving people no matter what their needs are today.Netsmart CEO Mike Valentine is joined by Benchmark Human Services CEO Doug Beebe and his team to share their perspective of how they’re offering their services to the highest-need, highest-cost individuals among us, from those with complex needs, to individuals in crisis, populations that were previously marginalized and children.Listen in as we discuss:How Benchmark Human Services helps niche populations that most others have a very hard time serving.Supporting basic human needs as part of the continuum of care for better outcomes, meeting the needs of individuals today.Prioritizing technology investments and innovation opportunities that align with your organization’s mission, vision and strengths.To make sure you never miss an episode of the CareThreads podcast, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for CareThreads in your favorite podcast player.

The expectations seniors have for healthy aging is changing and it is up to continuing care retirement communities (CCRC), also referred to as life plan communities, to adapt. A tenured leader in senior living and long-term care dives into the changes, challenges and opportunities ahead to ensure long-lasting success for CCRCs.Eva Bering, MSN, MHA, RN, NHA, is an expert on enhancing the experience of aging. In this episode with Netsmart Senior Solution Strategist Maggie Cameron, Bering taps into her extensive background to discuss what leadership at life plan communities need to focus on to provide the best possible experience for their residents and staff.In this episode, we discuss:What questions CEOs of nonprofit CCRCs should be addressing with the board chairHow leaders can lean into digital transformationTechnology’s role in the CCRCThe pivot to value-based reimbursementHow CCRCs can stay competitive in the market

Hospices around the country are dealing with a similar issue – staffing shortages. It’s forced some to reduce services while others have shut down. One expert has some ideas on how to retain staff and how to prepare hospice nurses for the rigors of the job.Barbara Karnes, RN has devoted decades towards educating, caring and supporting those who are dying and their loved ones. She wrote the iconic booklet “Gone from My Sight.” It is recognized as an important tool for hospice nurses. In this episode, she talks with Amy Wilson, Netsmart Senior Solution Strategist, about the biggest challenges and opportunities facing hospice agencies.Join us as we discuss:Retaining staffPreparing the next generation of hospice nursesAdvice for hospice clinical leadersTechnology’s impact on hospice care

Tom Herzog, COO, NetsmartDr. Eleanor Castillo-Sumi, Senior Vice President of Strategy, Innovation & Growth for Pacific Clinics.Organizations from all communities of care are faced with the challenge of navigating a sea of change, while at the same time trying to scale services to those in need. From taking a proactive approach to new payer models, to focusing on a strong organizational culture, providers can continue to cultivate their mission.In this podcast, we’ll discuss how Pacific Clinics has learned to anticipate changes and transform accordingly. By focusing on strategy, innovation and growth, they’ve managed to serve 40 million people over the last 155 years and continue to adapt and grow through an ever-changing landscape.Listen as we discuss:How to keep existing teams aligned and working closely together through changeWhat makes a strong culture that is flexible and motivated about changeStrategies to help scale services and improve the lives of both staff and clientsTo make sure you never miss an episode of the CareThreads podcast, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for CareThreads in your favorite podcast player.

Health and human service organizations are confronted with the challenge of maintaining and improving care coordination, clinician satisfaction, and client outcomes with shrinking resources. Faced with staff shortages and an increase in demand for services, organizations are looking for ways to help clinicians do their job better, quicker, and easier, as well as improve the efficacy of their work.In this episode, hear from executives of two of the largest and most complex providers in the country, Chief Information Officer of Institute for Community Living, Hao Wang, and Uday Madasu, Chief Administration Officer of Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services, how emerging technologies, like artificial intelligence, have the power to simultaneously transform the client and staff experience, making their lives easier and enabling better outcomes.Listen as we discuss:How the power of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing are being leveraged by providers to drive efficiency, boost staff retention and recruitment, and improve care delivery.How advanced technology is making strides in population health, workforce management, consumer engagement, and data analyticsTechnology in the emerging stage that will play a large role in the future of care.To make sure you never miss an episode of the CareThreads podcast, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for CareThreads in your favorite podcast player.

In this episode, Chuck Ingoglia, President and CEO at National Council for Mental Wellbeing joins Kevin Scalia, Executive Vice President at Netsmart, to discuss the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act recently passed by Congress that provides funding for the expansion of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs). Join them as they discuss how this Act came to be and how the efforts over the past decade demonstrate the importance of advocacy.When it comes to advocacy, even one person’s voice can make a difference. From letters and phone calls to Congressional home district visits and Hill Days, building relationships with members of Congress is key to driving change. In the case of CCBHCs, the collaboration and consistent efforts of individuals and organizations across the human services community led to the passage of this much-needed legislation. Even though this Act provides the most funding for mental health in 60 years, it still falls short of what is truly needed to support the increase in demand for mental health services. The work that has been done on CCBHCs is just the beginning.Join us to hear their experiences as they discuss:What it took to get this CCBHC legislation passedThe importance of the Behavioral Health IT Coalition and Hill Day within advocacy effortsWhat the hope is for the future of mental healthOnline resources:National Council for Mental Wellbeing analysis of Bipartisan Safer Communities ActNational Council for Mental Wellbeing CCBHC Impact Report – May 2021Netsmart summary of Healthcare Legislative Advocacy | Netsmart (ntst.com)Speak with a Netsmart CCBHC SpecialistIf you want to hear more episodes like this one, look for the Netsmart CareThreads podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or anywhere you get your podcast content.

Home healthcare providers face an uncertain future following a proposed rate cut by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The proposal would implement a permanent -7.69% cut to Medicare home health services beginning in January 2023. The Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare (PQHH) says the rate cut proposal would equal $1.33 billion in 2023 alone. More cuts have also been proposed for the years to come which could reach $18 billion over the next 10 years. Providers and home health advocates are fighting back, urging passage of the Preserving Access to Home Health Act of 2022. The legislation seeks to delay cuts to allow time to implement a payment system update based on full, current and accurate information. Advocates say CMS should treat home health consistently – and apply the same budget methodology principles as it does in analyzing budget neutrality in the skilled nursing facility payment system.In this episode, Netsmart EVP of Corporate Development Kevin Scalia talks with Joanne Cunningham, CEO of PQHH, about the proposed rate cuts to home healthcare services, which come at a time of increasing interest in care at home. Listen in as we discuss:How the proposed cuts would have a devastating impact on home healthcare access and growthThe Preserving Access to Home Health Act of 2022…and the urgent need for advocacy to pass itWhat you specifically can do to support efforts already underway in WashingtonThe increased use of technology in post-acute care delivery…connecting clinicians and caregivers for patient-centric careClick here to read more about PQHH’s detailed analysis of the proposed home health rate cuts.You can also visit a Take Action link to ask your representatives in Congress to support the Preserving Access to Home Health Act of 2022.To make sure you never miss an episode of the CareThreads podcast, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for CareThreads in your favorite podcast player.

Tim Rowan, Editor of “Healthcare at Home: The Rowan Report"Mike Dordick, President of McBee and SVP Post-Acute Strategy of NetsmartDawn Iddings, SVP of Post-Acute, NetsmartIt is projected that in two years 50% of Medicare beneficiaries will be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan, and by 2040 that number is expected to rise to 70%. As MA grows its market share among seniors, home-based care providers are battling two business decisions: accept the MA contract and what they feel are unfair reimbursement rates, or reject the rates and lose out on MA contracts and the revenue that comes with it. In this episode, we unpack the biggest challenges and opportunities for home health agencies as they grapple with whether to engage with MA contracts and take on risk. To hear more episodes like this one, look for the Netsmart CareThreads podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast player.

Palliative care is growing at an accelerated pace with providers beginning to unlock the keys to profitability through value-based contracts. By taking a deep dive into one of the most rapidly growing fields of healthcare in the U.S., we can understand why these predictions for growth point to palliative as one of the highest demand and most needed services in the post-acute care continuum and what the future of palliative care includes.In this episode hosted by Mike Valentine, CEO of Netsmart, we explore the expansion of palliative care services as well as some of the challenges facing providers. Joining us in the dialogue to unlock success for palliative care is Dawn Iddings, Senior Vice President & GM of Post-Acute and Jim Parker, Editor of Hospice News. Jim is a journalist who has covered healthcare and public policy since 2000 and has a deep understanding of the hospice and palliative care industry. The collective of post-acute care industry leaders discuss improving access to palliative care, building the infrastructure to support new programs and understanding the benefits and pitfalls of new payment models.Join us as we share key factors to unlocking success:Team skills and interdisciplinary care positioning hospice agencies to broaden service offeringsA robust technology system to collect and interpret data demonstrating positive outcomesMobilizing data through interoperability to pursue value-based contractsThe importance of ONC-certification for providers to realize the full potential of reimbursementPursuing value-based contracts through programs like Medicare Advantage, ACOs and other alternative payment arrangementsLeveraging value-based partnerships to offer additional support to patients and share costs for care deliveryHow to use insightful data to drive partners, referral organizations, payers and other providers to collaborate and arrive at a win-win contractThank you to Jim Parker for joining the discussion and for your thought leadership in the industry which can be found online at Hospice News: https://hospicenews.com/For additional technology resources visit: https://www.ntst.com/Solutions/By-Community/Post-Acute-Care/Palliative-CareIf you want to hear more episodes like this one, look for the Netsmart CareThreads podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or Stitcher.

In this episode, AJ Peterson, vice president and general manager of CareGuidance, talks with Jennifer Miller and Hank Watson about how their organizations are incorporating integrated care into their services and what integrated care means to them. Learn about the importance of looking at interconnectedness and the whole health of a person. Social determinants of health (SDoH) are also discussed and how the right model of care can overcome the barriers keeping people from getting appropriate treatment and services.Telehealth, remote therapy and group sessions, and how technology can be an enabler of value-based models of care are covered. Miller and Watson also share how forming partnerships and data sharing among organizations can be helpful in developing effective treatment plans.Hear their experiences as they discuss:How to define integrated care and what success looks likeHow integrated care is being delivered through the lens of different organizationsLessons, challenges and opportunities around implementing integrated care modelsTechnology needed for integrated care and the role it plays in forging community partnershipsIf you want to hear more episodes like this one, look for the Netsmart CareThreads podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or Stitcher.

The past several years have seen accelerated technology application for healthcare organizations across the continuum of care, yet we're going to see more change in the next ten years than most of us have seen in our collective lifetime. To understand where we are going, we should reflect on the history that brought us to where we are today. The origins of healthcare IT adoption for providers stemmed from the financial compliance era for electronic health records (EHRs). Historically, behavioral health providers across the country had been slower to adopt healthcare IT in comparison to other care settings; but the shift of bringing consumers and clinicians to the technology table has driven rapid innovation and development of solutions and services.At no other time in our history has person-to-person collaboration been more important to the outcomes of those we serve. Technology adoption requires more than just the IT team. Success requires that every function of an organization needs a seat at the table. The caregivers, clinicians, administration, operators, financial billing and more because these technology systems are dependent upon each other to work extraordinarily well. Each stakeholder, their perspective or persona is absolutely valid, and each influences the others as a cross representation team at the table designing not only for today but for tomorrow. In this episode, Tom Herzog, Chief Operating Officer, speaks with Dr. Dennis Morrison, Chief Clinical Officer about his unique experience adopting and applying healthcare technology throughout his career. A psychologist by training, Dr. Denny has been in various corners of the healthcare landscape over the last 30 years, running a community mental health center (CMHC) and leading a research institute before landing at Netsmart. The thought leaders unpack the past, present and future of behavioral health care delivery including the intersection of clinical and technology, improved outcomes and next-generation healthcare IT on the horizon.Join us to hear their experiences as we discuss:History of healthcare IT and the financial compliance eraAccelerating technology adoption for behavioral healthcare organizationsDesigning workflows with the patient and clinician in mindPerspectives of peers and the recovery movementTreatment and recovery models for acute problems, chronic illness and addictionPredictions for augmented intelligence, predictive analytics, DNA and big dataFuture technology innovations transforming healthcareFinally, Denny shares a suggestion on the latest reads that he’s found fascinating. Denny recently finished a series of articles for the Netsmart CareThreads blog (https://www.ntst.com/Blog) on the pure movement, and he found inspiration and background in a book about the history of addiction treatment in the United States called Slaying the Dragon. Denny states, “It’s a fascinating read about how we have used peers in health care, particularly in addiction treatment and how that came about – it’s absolutely fascinating.” Download Slaying the Dragon Today!To hear more episodes like this one, look for the Netsmart CareThreads podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts.

Rachelle Casto, VP of Administration, McLeod Addictive Disease CenterMelanie Conforti, VP of Medication Assisted Treatment, McLeod Addictive Disease CenterChristy Majors, VP of Finance, McLeod Addictive Disease CenterMary Ward, President, McLeod Addictive Disease CenterTricia Zerger, Director of Child & Family and Developmental Services, NetsmartIn this episode, representatives from the McLeod Addictive Disease Center and Netsmart discuss where addiction treatment is now and how the use of technology can take treatment to a whole new level. While the COVID pandemic created challenges for treatment, it also provided many opportunities, creating many roads to recovery.The McLeod Addictive Disease Center has been operative throughout many areas of North Carolina since 1969, caring for up to 2800 individuals at any given time. The pandemic drastically changed the ways in which treatments were viewed. Thankfully, being deemed an essential location, the treatment centers did not close, however, Telehealth and other online treatments got created for caregivers and patients alike. Finding that many patients enjoyed and preferred Telehealth as opposed to in-person treatment, the focus became more centered on asking the patients how they themselves think they can receive the best care. During a time of fear and uncertainty, this organization embraced opportunity because of the pandemic, leading to more innovation ideas and greater success of everyone involved.Join us to hear their experiences as we discuss:Factors that have and continue to contribute to the addiction crisis in our societyThe challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemicThe advantages of technology in Telehealth and other online services and how they related to overall patient satisfaction.How the pandemic shaped their organization, bringing about great new ideas and successWhat the future looks like without having strict regulationsIf you want to hear more episodes like this one, look for the Netsmart CareThreads podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you stream your podcasts.

In this episode, we unpack the most pressing concern facing human services and post-acute organizations today: the staffing shortage. Hear how you can flip the script from the “Great Resignation” to the “Great Transformation” by using technology strategies to recruit, retain and empower staff.Listen as three industry experts, Peter Flick, VP and General Manager of Bells Netsmart; Mike Dordick, Senior VP Post-Acute Strategy, Netsmart and President, McBee; and Danielle Ross, VP and Virtual Chief Information Officer, Netsmart discuss with host Denny Morrison, Ph.D., Chief Clinical Advisor, Netsmart, how to optimize every facet of your organization, including:Workflow optimization (EHR utilization, Artificial Intelligence)System optimization (Technology usage)Personnel optimization (Operating at top of license)To hear more episodes like this one, look for the Netsmart CareThreads podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.

Kevin Scalia, Executive Vice President of Corporate Development, NetsmartKeith Boushee, Director of Community Strategy, NetsmartIn this episode, Kevin Scalia, Executive Vice President of Corporate Development, and Keith Boushee, Director of Community Strategy, share the importance of properly preparing to apply for funding through federal and state grants and how to efficiently use funding to help with the success of your organization.Identifying, preparing and applying for human services funding opportunities that align with your organization’s goals is crucial to better serve communities. In preparing to apply for grants ahead of time, one should think about how these funds can help grow and expand the business. Find which grants best fit your organization and its strategy along with considering the sustainability of that grant, by thinking about how to keep the success of your organization after the grant goes away. Work that should be done ahead of time before applying for grants also include the consideration of working with partners, collecting letters of recommendation from other community resources and being confident that you have the bandwidth to not only complete the grant application, but have a good chance of success after submission.Join us to hear their experiences as we discuss:Strategies to determine which grants to apply for and why grants are important for the success of the organizationWhat organizations do to prepare to apply for grants and how to make your story stand outHow COVID has affected and impacted organizations across the boardWays to build your grant narrative and how to choose the best themes and key words depending on funding from SAMHSA, the FCC and the USDAIf you want to hear more episodes like this one, look for the Netsmart CareThreads podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or Stitcher.