Andrew Sfreddo, Senior Director and Head of Behavioral Healthcare at Blueprint, HCRE, has been recognized as a 2023 Behavioral Health Future Leader by Behavioral Health Business. This prestigious honor highlights Sfreddo’s exceptional leadership in the behavioral health industry and his commitment to advancing mental health and behavioral healthcare services. To be named a Behavioral Health Future Leader, candidates must be under 40, nominated by their peers, and have a proven track record of driving change, advocating for patients, and improving care. For Sfreddo, this recognition is a testament to the years of hard work he has put into shaping the future of behavioral health.
In an interview with Behavioral Health Business, Sfreddo reflected on his journey into the behavioral health field, the lessons he’s learned, and his vision for the future of the industry. For Sfreddo, his motivation to work in behavioral health comes from a combination of personal and professional factors. “One, the undersupply of mental health and behavioral health care services across our country. Secondly, it touches my life personally. I’ve had some family members go through things in the behavioral and mental health care arena, and I saw firsthand what they had to deal with and the help that they really needed,” Sfreddo shared. His deep personal connection to the field fuels his passion for improving behavioral health services across the country.
The Behavioral Health Future Leader’s Professional Motivations
Sfreddo’s professional motivations are equally compelling. He pointed to the rapid growth in the behavioral health sector, especially with the entry of private equity into the outpatient care market, as a driving force behind his decision to focus on higher-acuity inpatient care. “I saw private equity get into the space in a pretty big way, mostly in the outpatient sectors, over the past five years,” Sfreddo noted. He explained that his goal was to help professionalize the higher-acuity inpatient sector, which he saw as an area that needed more attention and development. His forward-thinking approach to behavioral health has earned him the title of Behavioral Health Future Leader.
Key Lessons Learned in Behavioral Health Leadership
When asked about the biggest lesson he has learned in the behavioral health industry, Sfreddo highlighted the importance of finding the right niche. “It’s a big, broad space. So you have to hone in and figure out where the niche is,” he said. The behavioral health industry offers a variety of opportunities, and Sfreddo advises others entering the field to focus on the areas where they can make the greatest impact. His advice to those looking to enter the behavioral health space is to “understand what you’re trying to accomplish,” as success in the field requires a clear vision and a targeted approach.
A Vision for Professionalization and Growth in Behavioral Health
Looking to the future of behavioral health, Sfreddo believes that the sector needs to further professionalize. One of the major challenges in the field, he explained, is the lack of a unified language. “Everyone has their own language within the space,” Sfreddo remarked. This fragmentation makes it difficult to create common standards and key performance indicators (KPIs) that can be applied across the industry. Establishing clear KPIs based on the acuity of care, he believes, would help improve communication between stakeholders and facilitate industry-wide growth. As a Behavioral Health Future Leader, Sfreddo is committed to making these changes a reality.
Additionally, Sfreddo emphasized the need for more liquidity and accessible financing options within the industry. “There is no true agency debt platform like there is in skilled nursing, senior housing, and multifamily,” he said. This lack of financing infrastructure has made it difficult for organizations to secure capital and expand services. Sfreddo is confident that, as the industry matures, more financing options will emerge, making it easier for providers to grow and improve care. His leadership in advocating for these changes is a key reason why he’s been named a Behavioral Health Future Leader.
The Future of Behavioral Health: Growth and Challenges Ahead
As Sfreddo looks toward 2024 and beyond, he envisions a continued expansion of the behavioral health space, with increased investment and greater insurance coverage. “I think it’s going to continue to be an asset class that groups may want to diversify into,” he said. He foresees reimbursement rates continuing to expand, with more commercial insurance carriers covering mental health and behavioral health episodes in the same way they cover physical health. This shift, spurred by health parity laws, will help ensure that individuals have access to the care they need, regardless of their financial situation. Sfreddo also highlighted the growing trend of Medicaid enhancements, with states beginning to allocate more resources toward behavioral health services. These changes will undoubtedly impact the future of behavioral health, and as a Behavioral Health Future Leader, Sfreddo is excited to see how they unfold.
Despite the promising future of the industry, Sfreddo acknowledged that the path forward will be challenging. “It’s going to evolve and grow, but it’s going to be bumpy,” he said. The industry’s rapid growth will bring about friction and resistance, particularly as new financing models are introduced and standards are established. However, Sfreddo remains optimistic, believing that these challenges will ultimately lead to positive change and growth within the behavioral health space. His ability to navigate these challenges and continue to lead with vision is why he’s been recognized as a Behavioral Health Future Leader.
Intellectual Curiosity: A Must for Behavioral Health Leaders
For future leaders in the industry, Sfreddo stresses the importance of intellectual curiosity. “If you have intellectual curiosity and you want to figure out a way to help an industry grow, you need to learn it, you need to understand it, and then you need to figure out if there is a way that you can help make it better,” he said. This mindset of continuous learning and innovation is essential for anyone hoping to make a lasting impact in behavioral health. As the industry continues to evolve, it is leaders like Sfreddo, with their forward-thinking approach and commitment to improving care, who will shape the future of behavioral health.
Looking Ahead: A Promising Future for Behavioral Health
As we move into 2024 and beyond, the behavioral health industry is poised for significant growth and transformation. With the leadership of individuals like Andrew Sfreddo, the sector is bound to continue evolving, with greater access to care, improved standards, and an increasing focus on professionalization. Sfreddo’s recognition as a Behavioral Health Future Leader is just the beginning of what promises to be a long and impactful career in the behavioral health field. Through his dedication to improving services and advocating for both patients and providers, Sfreddo will continue to drive positive change in the industry.
