I recently had an in-depth conversation with Eric Gremminger, CEO of ERPHealth, a pioneering company that’s transforming the behavioral health industry through technology-driven outcome tracking. ERPHealth is not just another software provider—it’s an enterprise-grade platform designed to empower behavioral health providers with measurement-based care behavioral health solutions that deliver real-time, actionable data. This approach personalizes patient care, promotes health equity, and prepares organizations for the fast-approaching shift toward value-based care.
In this interview, Eric shares valuable insights about how ERPHealth’s platform supports providers in navigating an evolving landscape where traditional fee-for-service models are giving way to reimbursement based on measurable patient outcomes. At the heart of this shift is measurement-based care behavioral health, a strategy ERPHealth is uniquely positioned to support.
What Does ERPHealth Do?
At its core, ERPHealth offers a comprehensive, third-party outcome tracking platform built to support measurement-based care behavioral health—a clinical approach that uses standardized, validated tools to assess patient symptoms and progress systematically. Eric explains:
“We leverage technology to make it easy and seamless for providers to implement measurement-based care. By using well-established scales like the PHQ-9 for depression and GAD-7 for anxiety, our platform helps clinicians identify which patients are improving and which are not, enabling timely course corrections.”
These scales, along with others like recovery capital metrics, form the backbone of the data ERPHealth collects. This data-driven approach allows providers to move beyond anecdotal evidence toward objective measurement of treatment effectiveness—a critical capability in today’s increasingly outcome-focused reimbursement environment.
The Evolution of Outcome Tracking in Behavioral Health
When asked if providers continue to experiment with new outcomes or measurements, Eric cautions about over-innovation without evidence:
“There’s a sweet spot with the ‘gold standard’ measures. For anxiety, the GAD-7 is widely accepted; for depression, the PHQ-9. Startups and providers alike should not get too creative and stray from these proven tools if they want credibility with payors.”
A key differentiator for ERPHealth is that it operates as a third-party platform with no financial stake in the outcomes reported. This impartiality eliminates conflicts of interest and minimizes human error, especially when data is collected electronically rather than manually entered.
Preparing Providers for Value-Based Care
About 75% of ERPHealth’s clients are proactively preparing for value-based care. Eric emphasizes:
“All of our clients know value-based care is coming, but those who use our platform have a seat at the table. They can show payors credible, third-party validated outcomes instead of just anecdotes.”
With payors like Aetna and Optum requiring data-backed proof of treatment effectiveness, providers lacking this evidence risk being left behind.
To support providers, ERPHealth goes beyond software—they offer services to help present and validate outcomes to insurers, ensuring their clients are well-positioned for reimbursement negotiations.
Policy and Measurement: A Growing Intersection
Eric notes the increasing role policymakers are playing:
“While I don’t think policymakers will mandate specific clinical outcomes yet, they are very likely to require some form of measurement. Resources are finite, and if outcomes continue to underperform, pressure will mount to hold providers accountable.”
ERPHealth works closely with policymakers and former government officials to stay ahead of regulatory trends, ensuring their platform meets future demands.
Managing the Learning Curve
Transitioning to measurement-based care behavioral health represents a paradigm shift for many providers. Eric acknowledges:
“There’s a learning curve, absolutely. There hasn’t been a consensus on what exactly constitutes a successful behavioral health outcome. Is it abstinence? Employment? Symptom reduction? That’s why it’s critical to start tracking multiple domains now.”
ERPHealth encourages providers to gather broad outcome data so they are ready once standards emerge. Their platform is built by clinicians for clinicians, and feedback drives rapid software iteration to ease adoption.
Tracking Patients Across the Entire Care Continuum
One of ERPHealth’s standout capabilities is supporting patients throughout their journey—from initial screening in primary care to treatment and ongoing recovery management.
Eric describes a typical use case:
“Imagine a patient going to a primary care visit who completes an ERPHealth tablet survey screening for alcohol use, depression, and anxiety. If problematic drinking is flagged, the primary care physician receives that information immediately, allowing for timely brief intervention and referral to addiction treatment.”
Once in treatment, ERPHealth tracks weekly progress using symptom rating scales, enabling clinicians to adjust interventions as needed—true measurement-based care behavioral health in action.
Upon discharge, the platform continues engaging patients via mobile devices, supporting the chronic management of behavioral health conditions through sustained communication and outcome tracking.
Benchmarking and Quality Assurance
ERPHealth offers robust benchmarking features that allow providers to compare outcomes nationally and across their own organizational networks.
Eric explains:
“We provide executive reports breaking down patient satisfaction, symptom improvement, and clinician effectiveness by facility and provider. This lets organizations identify which clinicians excel with specific patient profiles and align caseloads accordingly.”
This data-driven clinician-patient matching reduces dropout rates, improves outcomes, and supports the “fourth aim” of healthcare: provider well-being. Matching clinicians to patients they work best with also mitigates burnout and increases job satisfaction.
Addressing Clinician Resistance to Change
Eric is candid about the challenges providers face adopting new systems:
“It’s a paradigm shift. Nobody likes change, but this shift is critical for business viability in the next 3-5 years. Our approach is empathetic and clinician-centered. We listen, iterate quickly, and prioritize user experience.”
With a 12-person in-house tech team dedicated to continuous improvement, ERPHealth adapts their platform based on real-world feedback, easing the transition.
The Shift to Value-Based Care Is Here
Eric has been championing value-based care since 2014 but is clear that the time for talk is over:
“Back then, I said it’s coming. Now I say it’s here. Providers and payors alike must understand the importance of third-party validated outcomes to remain viable. This isn’t optional anymore—it’s imperative.”
ERPHealth’s mission to save and transform lives by personalizing behavioral health care through data and technology has never been more relevant.
Conclusion
As behavioral health care moves toward value-based models, measurement-based care behavioral health platforms like ERPHealth offer an essential foundation. By providing trusted, objective outcome data, supporting providers through the shift, and promoting health equity via personalized treatment, ERPHealth is shaping the future of behavioral health delivery.
Providers ready to embrace this new era will find in ERPHealth a partner committed to their success—from improving patient outcomes to securing sustainable reimbursement in a value-driven world.
If you are a behavioral health provider, payor, or policymaker interested in the future of care, understanding the role of measurement-based care behavioral health is critical. ERPHealth’s technology and mission-driven approach offer a clear path forward to thrive in this rapidly evolving landscape.
