In a recent interview with Bloomberg Businessweek, Hackensack Meridian Health CEO Robert Garrett shared his vision for the organization’s priorities in 2020, with behavioral health emerging as a key focus. For Garrett, addressing behavioral health issues is not only a moral imperative but also an economic necessity. As the CEO of the largest and most comprehensive health network in New Jersey, Garrett’s commitment to tackling the behavioral health crisis reflects a broader trend in healthcare toward greater attention to mental health issues, which have long been neglected in favor of physical health concerns.
The statistics surrounding behavioral health challenges are staggering. From rising rates of anxiety and depression to the ongoing opioid epidemic, behavioral health is an urgent issue affecting millions of Americans. In response to these growing needs, Hackensack Meridian Health is stepping up its efforts to provide accessible and effective behavioral health care. Garrett emphasized that in 2020, the organization would work to break down barriers to care, improve access, and foster collaboration across sectors. But what exactly does this mean, and how will it shape the future of healthcare in New Jersey?
Hackensack Meridian Health: A Network Committed to Comprehensive Care
Hackensack Meridian Health, based in Edison, New Jersey, operates 17 hospitals and 500 patient care locations across the state. This sprawling network provides a full spectrum of medical services, making it an essential resource for New Jersey residents. With its vast footprint, Hackensack Meridian is uniquely positioned to address the healthcare needs of the state’s diverse population, including those facing behavioral health challenges.
Behavioral health has long been an area of concern within the healthcare system. Mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders, often go untreated due to stigma, lack of access, or inadequate resources. Hackensack Meridian Health is determined to change this, recognizing that behavioral health is just as critical to overall health as physical conditions. As Garrett mentioned, “It’s posing a huge problem from a health perspective, but it’s also a huge problem from an economic perspective.” Behavioral health issues often lead to costly hospital admissions, long-term care, and lost productivity—making it crucial for health systems to tackle these challenges head-on.
Breaking Down Barriers to Behavioral Health Services
One of the central goals for Hackensack Meridian in 2020 is improving access to behavioral health services. In many areas, especially in underserved communities, access to mental health care can be scarce or difficult to obtain. Garrett sees collaboration between the private sector, government agencies, and community organizations as the key to solving this problem. The health network has already made strides in this direction by participating in innovative partnerships aimed at improving behavioral health care access.
An excellent example of this collaborative approach is Hackensack Meridian’s involvement in the Pediatric Psychiatry Collaborative Program (PPC). Funded by both federal and state resources, the program is designed to improve preventive behavioral care for children by enabling health systems to work together. Since its inception, the program has screened over 165,000 children for behavioral health issues during wellness visits, with approximately 10,000 of them being referred for follow-up treatment. Garrett is clear about the impact of early intervention: “This early intervention really can make a difference.” By identifying and addressing behavioral health issues in children early on, the PPC is not only improving the lives of young patients but also reducing the long-term costs associated with untreated mental health problems.
A New Model: Behavioral Health Urgent Care
In addition to collaborative initiatives, Hackensack Meridian Health has also introduced a new model for delivering behavioral health care through its Behavioral Health Urgent Care Center in Neptune, New Jersey. Opened in the fall of 2019, this center is designed to provide immediate, specialized care for individuals experiencing mental health crises, without the long wait times or crowded conditions often found in emergency departments (EDs).
As Garrett explains, “So many people with mental illnesses end up in crowded and complex emergency departments. They have to compete with people who have had heart attacks, strokes, or who have been in motor vehicle accidents.” The new behavioral health urgent care center eliminates this competition, offering a dedicated space for patients to receive care tailored to their needs.
Patients seeking help at the center can see a behavioral health specialist within minutes, reducing the stress and uncertainty often associated with seeking emergency care for mental health issues. If necessary, psychiatric consultations are provided through telehealth, allowing for immediate access to expert care. This streamlined process ensures that patients can receive the right care at the right time, ultimately improving outcomes and reducing unnecessary hospital admissions.
Collaborative Care Models and Reimbursement Innovations
Another key component of Hackensack Meridian’s strategy for improving behavioral health care is the adoption of innovative reimbursement models that encourage collaboration across medical disciplines. Garrett pointed to Medicare’s Collaborative Care Model, which reimburses healthcare providers at a higher rate for integrating behavioral health professionals into medical care settings. By incentivizing healthcare providers to work together across physical and mental health domains, this model helps address behavioral health issues early on, preventing more serious and costly conditions from developing.
“This is a good incentive, and it’s focusing the medical community on preventing behavioral health issues as opposed to treating them down the road,” Garrett noted. Collaborative care, in which behavioral health specialists are embedded within primary care teams, ensures that patients receive comprehensive care that addresses both physical and mental health needs. Garrett believes that the model could be expanded and replicated more widely across the healthcare system, leading to better outcomes and more efficient care delivery.
A Future Focused on Behavioral Health
Hackensack Meridian’s focus on behavioral health is not just a one-time initiative—it represents a long-term commitment to addressing the mental health crisis in New Jersey and beyond. As Garrett said, “We’re going to tackle it.” Tackling behavioral health issues requires a multifaceted approach, one that combines early intervention, access to specialized care, collaboration across sectors, and innovative reimbursement models that support holistic care.
For Hackensack Meridian Health, 2020 marks the beginning of an ongoing effort to break down the barriers that have long prevented individuals from receiving the behavioral health care they need. The health network’s focus on creating accessible, timely, and effective care options sets a model for others in the healthcare industry to follow. By embracing collaboration, innovation, and a patient-centered approach, Hackensack Meridian Health is paving the way for a future in which mental health care is treated with the same urgency and importance as physical health care.
Ultimately, Garrett’s leadership and Hackensack Meridian Health’s investments in behavioral health will have a lasting impact on the lives of countless patients. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, it’s clear that behavioral health will remain at the forefront of the conversation, with Hackensack Meridian leading the charge toward a more comprehensive, integrated, and compassionate approach to care.
