Independent study demonstrates strong ROI for accredited Behavioral Health and Human Services organizations
For each dollar invested in Behavioral Health and Human Services (BHC) accreditation, an organization sees that dollar returned plus realizes an additional $6.23 in benefits as a direct result of their Joint Commission accreditation achievement, according to a new independent study completed by the ROI Institute of 180 Joint Commission-accredited BHC organizations.
The study asked accredited BHC organizations to assess categories where they may have seen a return on investment in accreditation. Key areas of return identified by the study included:
- Financial: Revenue and payer reimbursement rate.
- Improvements and efficiencies: Operational efficiencies and healthcare improvement efforts.
- Risk and safety: Reduction in liability insurance cost and risk, mitigation of lawsuits and workers compensation costs.
- Staffing: Reduction in staff turnover and improved competencies of staff and supervisors.
Study participants also indicated nonfinancial benefits to BHC accreditation, such as improved quality of care, organizational culture, reputation, client outcomes and organizational sustainability. They also felt they were better positioned to create impactful policies and procedures, standardize processes, and implement leading practices.
Organizations that took part in the study ranged from small community organizations to large health systems, and length of accreditation ranged from two months to 41 years with an average of eight years. Services provided included mental health services or substance use disorder treatment but varied widely.
The costs considered in the study ranged from those spent to earn or maintain accreditation, such as accreditation and survey fees, accreditation-related materials and supplies, consulting, training and education, dedicated accreditation-related personnel, any facilities modifications or software/IT changes, and any other costs identified by the organizations in the study.
Learn more about the financial and nonfinancial benefits of accreditation by accessing our free resources – an infographic (Snapshot of Study) or downloadable white paper.