Every year, roughly $8.3 billion is spent unnecessarily on emergency department (ED) visits, with $4.6 billion of that attributable to behavioral health conditions. Beyond the high cost, EDs often struggle to properly treat mental health disorders and substance use disorders (SUD). Yet patients frequently have no alternative due to a nationwide shortage of behavioral health providers.
To address this gap, SSM Health, a multi-state health system based in St. Louis, has launched a novel behavioral health urgent care center. While similar on-demand mental health care facilities are emerging across the U.S., SSM stands out for its partnership approach, funneling patients into comprehensive behavioral health treatment after their urgent care visit.
Michelle Shafer, regional vice president of behavioral health for SSM, explained, “Our ultimate goal is to truly change the way we approach behavioral health and SUD care in our communities and to work together in collaboration instead of competition. We want to raise the health of the community substantially.”
SSM Health operates more than 23 hospitals, 290 physician offices, 10 post-acute care facilities, a pharmacy benefit company, an insurer, and an accountable care organization. The system serves patients in Missouri, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, and Illinois, with annual operating revenues exceeding $7.9 billion in 2019.
Developing the Behavioral Health Urgent Care Model
Although the Behavioral Health Urgent Care only opened recently, the initiative has been in development for over two years. The idea emerged after the regional health commission asked local healthcare leaders and stakeholders to address Saint Louis County’s shortage of behavioral health services.
Initially, an assessment-and-triage-center model was considered, but it didn’t meet the community’s needs. Shafer sought a different solution: an urgent care model focused specifically on behavioral health, paired with follow-up care through community partnerships.
The center collaborates with seven community mental health centers, including BJC Behavioral Health, Hopewell Center, and Preferred Family Healthcare, among others. These partners provide follow-up services to patients post-visit, creating a seamless continuum of care.
The Facility and Patient Flow
The $2 million, 3,400-square-foot urgent care center features six exam rooms and two telemedicine rooms. Staffed jointly by SSM and community partners, the center includes two master’s-prepared clinicians, a nurse, a nurse practitioner, and an administrative worker at any given time.
Serving seven counties in the St. Louis area, the urgent care accepts walk-ins for mental health or SUD concerns. Upon arrival, patients are triaged by a nurse to ensure medical stability. Clinicians then determine the appropriate level of care, which may include outpatient services, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), or hospital-based care. If medications are required, the on-site nurse practitioner can provide prescriptions immediately.
Patients are also connected with SSM’s community behavioral health partners for follow-up outpatient care within two to three days of their urgent care visit. Early reports show the center is serving eight to 12 patients per day, surpassing initial expectations, with a goal of eventually accommodating 16 to 20 daily patients. Telehealth capabilities allow for additional capacity if needed.
Innovative Financing Strategies
SSM’s Behavioral Health Urgent Care serves patients regardless of their ability to pay. Financing the project required creative strategies and collaboration. Shafer explained, “We have a lot of people in our corner that are looking at how they can help provide the funding and do things differently and creatively for long-term sustainability.”
The Missouri Department of Mental Health, the state Medicaid program, and various payers have expressed interest in the model’s collaborative element. For example, community mental health centers receive state and federal funds, which typically come with specific requirements. The Department of Mental Health is exploring ways these funds can support urgent care visits while still counting as admissions into partner centers, ensuring financial sustainability.
Managed Medicaid companies are also evaluating the urgent care as a dedicated care delivery site. The collaborative financing model demonstrates how limited resources can be maximized to benefit patients and providers alike.
A Trend Toward Behavioral Health Urgent Care
While SSM’s model is unique, it is not the only behavioral health urgent care center in the country. Hackensack Meridian Health in New Jersey opened a similar center in 2019, offering a “check-up from the neck up” to patients who would otherwise seek care in crowded EDs.
These centers are gaining traction due to their ability to provide specialized mental health care in a timely, cost-effective manner. Shafer believes collaborative behavioral urgent care centers have a significant role in shaping the future of behavioral health care delivery.
“It’s a different and appropriate access point, and it’s also a much less expensive access point than emergency rooms,” she said. “You’re getting patients to the right place with the right level of professionals for the right level of health at the right time.”
Benefits for Patients and Communities
The collaborative urgent care model offers several advantages for patients. By providing immediate access to behavioral health professionals, patients receive timely interventions, reducing the risk of crises escalating. The integration with community partners ensures continuity of care, helping patients transition smoothly from urgent care to long-term treatment programs.
Communities also benefit from reduced unnecessary ED visits, lowering overall healthcare costs. The model promotes preventative care and early intervention, which can improve patient outcomes and alleviate the strain on emergency services.
Looking Forward
SSM Health aims to refine the urgent care model based on initial patient outcomes and community feedback. The success of the St. Louis center could serve as a blueprint for other health systems nationwide.
The urgent care center also highlights the importance of partnerships in behavioral health. By collaborating with local providers and leveraging telehealth, SSM demonstrates that innovation, rather than competition, can drive better patient care and more efficient use of resources.
As behavioral health needs continue to grow, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic, urgent care models like SSM’s provide a scalable and effective solution. They address gaps in access, reduce costs, and enhance the quality of care for patients struggling with mental health and substance use disorders.
Conclusion
SSM Health’s Behavioral Health Urgent Care exemplifies the power of collaboration and innovation in addressing behavioral health challenges. By partnering with community providers and integrating telehealth, the center provides immediate, specialized care while ensuring patients are connected to long-term treatment resources.
With healthcare costs rising and EDs often ill-equipped to handle behavioral health cases, urgent care models like this one offer a promising solution. As more health systems explore similar approaches, collaborative behavioral health urgent care centers could become a cornerstone of accessible, effective, and patient-centered mental health care across the United States.
This model not only addresses immediate patient needs but also lays the groundwork for sustainable, community-focused behavioral health solutions for the future.
