A Holistic Approach to Behavioral Healthcare

Founded by a psychiatrist in the early 1990s, APS Healthcare has grown into one of the country’s largest behavioral healthcare companies. The company offers customers a multitude of customized behavioral healthcare program designs that meet specific customer needs.

APS’ URAC-accredited behavioral healthcare programs serve more than six million members and include:

Access to master's level, licensed clinicians 24 hours a day
Access to the full continuum of care via a nationwide network of more than 30,000 providers
Assistance with return-to-work issues
Coordination of care with all other benefits, including employee assistance programs (EAP), medical and disease management and disability management

The company’s unique approach to behavioral healthcare uses a coordinated care model that incorporates technology and disease management strategies to produce unprecedented cost savings and enhanced clinical outcomes. Features of this model include:

Ability to use informatics to identify and target current and future high-cost members so that clinical resources can be more effectively directed at those who need the most help
Use of disease management techniques to more effectively address the needs and improve outcomes for members with major depression
Co-morbidity management that uses focused interventions to holistically address the needs of members with medical and behavioral health issues

Incorporating informatics and other identification techniques

Drawing from the company’s core competencies in behavioral health and health management, APS has created an innovative approach to administering behavioral healthcare benefits that uses proven methodologies for helping its members live healthier lives. Through the use of informatics and utilization review, APS is able to identify the right person at the right time. Not only do these techniques identify the individuals who are currently high-risk, but also those individuals who have the potential to be at-risk in the future.

Utilizing disease management expertise

According to the Mental Health America, clinical depression is one of the most common mental illnesses, affecting more than 19 million Americans each year. To effectively manage depression, APS utilizes a disease management approach in its behavioral healthcare services. Regardless of risk level, each member receives a comprehensive assessment designed to identify all issues impacting his/her health.

Treating mind and body

Individuals with co-existing behavioral and medical conditions can cost up to four times more than those with a single diagnosis. Through the use of informatics, as well as collaboration with other benefit partners, APS identifies individuals who require coordination of medical and behavioral services and implements integrated care plans that address all issues impacting the member’s health. This holistic approach enables APS to achieve better clinical outcomes for each member, while reducing total healthcare costs.