MetroHealth Partners with Ovatient to Introduce Virtual Behavioral Health Services Integrated with Primary Care
- MetroHealth, in partnership with Ovatient, is introducing a virtual behavioral health service integrated with primary care, aiming to provide a holistic healthcare experience that addresses both physical and mental health needs, especially in areas with limited access to traditional mental health services.
- Ovatient's comprehensive digital services, including virtual consultations and remote health monitoring, are integrated with systems like Epic and MyChart, enhancing patient care and allowing seamless transitions between virtual and in-person services without additional burdens on healthcare providers.
- The partnership with Ovatient increases accessibility to mental health services, promotes holistic patient care, and potentially reduces healthcare costs, while future expansions plan to introduce more advanced digital health platforms and extend services to additional regions through collaborations like with MUSC Health.
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A New Era in Comprehensive Care
In a groundbreaking move, MetroHealth has partnered with Ovatient to introduce a revolutionary virtual behavioral health service, seamlessly integrated with primary care. This innovative approach aims to provide patients with a holistic healthcare experience, addressing both physical and mental health needs. The integration of virtual behavioral health services with primary care is a significant step forward in transforming the way healthcare is delivered, particularly in regions where access to traditional mental health services is limited.
The Role of Ovatient
Ovatient, a virtual-first healthcare company, has been at the forefront of revolutionizing healthcare delivery. Founded through a partnership between the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC Health) and MetroHealth, Ovatient was designed to address the unique challenges faced by health systems in delivering high-quality, comprehensive care. The company’s innovative approach leverages a comprehensive digital suite of services, including virtual consultations, remote health monitoring, and digital patient engagement, all integrated with the Epic and MyChart systems used by many health systems.
How It Works
The integration of virtual behavioral health services with primary care through Ovatient is a turnkey solution designed to enhance patient care without additional burden on healthcare providers. Here’s how it works:
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Virtual Providers: Ovatient’s nationwide team of dedicated virtual providers includes board-certified, NCQA-credentialed professionals who are licensed in various states. These providers work closely with MetroHealth’s care teams to ensure seamless coordination and continuity of care.
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Seamless Integration: The platform integrates seamlessly with MetroHealth’s systems, including Epic and MyChart, providing providers with nearly real-time data. This integration allows for smooth transitions from virtual to in-person appointments, ensuring that patients receive personalized care tailored to their needs.
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Comprehensive Services: Ovatient offers a range of services, including virtual urgent care, same-day primary care, and scheduled primary care. Additionally, the platform will soon include mental health and other specialty services, further expanding the scope of comprehensive care offered to patients.
Benefits for Patients
The integration of virtual behavioral health services with primary care through Ovatient brings several benefits for patients:
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Convenient Access: Patients can access care from anywhere, at any time, including during non-traditional hours such as early mornings or evenings. This convenience is particularly beneficial for those with busy schedules or those living in remote areas with limited access to traditional healthcare services.
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Seamless Referrals: The platform allows for seamless referrals to in-person care, ensuring that patients receive coordinated and high-quality care. This integrated approach helps build long-lasting relationships between patients and their healthcare providers.
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Insurance Coverage: The services offered by Ovatient are covered by insurance or can be paid with affordable cash options. This ensures that patients have a range of payment options available, making healthcare more accessible and affordable for all.
Impact on Healthcare Delivery
The partnership between MetroHealth and Ovatient marks a significant shift in how healthcare is delivered, particularly in addressing mental health needs. Here are some key impacts of this partnership:
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Increased Accessibility: By offering virtual behavioral health services integrated with primary care, Ovatient helps increase accessibility to mental health services, which are often underutilized due to stigma or lack of access.
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Holistic Care: The integration of virtual behavioral health services ensures that patients receive holistic care, addressing both their physical and mental health needs. This comprehensive approach can lead to better health outcomes and improved patient satisfaction.
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Cost-Effectiveness: Virtual care models like Ovatient’s can reduce healthcare costs by minimizing the need for in-person visits and reducing the strain on traditional healthcare infrastructure.
Future Plans
Ovatient is poised for further expansion, with plans to launch a digital health platform later this year. This platform will include advanced consumer insights and clinical decision support, enhancing the patient experience and improving health outcomes.
Additionally, Ovatient will continue to expand its virtual care services to other regions, including South Carolina through its partnership with MUSC Health. This expansion will ensure that more patients across the country can benefit from Ovatient’s innovative care model.
Conclusion
The partnership between MetroHealth and Ovatient represents a groundbreaking step in transforming healthcare delivery. By integrating virtual behavioral health services with primary care, Ovatient is making high-quality, comprehensive care more accessible and convenient for all. As healthcare continues to evolve, it is clear that innovative solutions like Ovatient will play a crucial role in shaping the future of healthcare.
