Benchmark Human Services (Benchmark) and StationMD have created a partnership to establish an integrated care approach to support individuals with co-occurring intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and complex medical and behavioral health needs. This model aims to keep high-risk/high-cost populations out of emergency departments, hospitals, institutions, and crisis situations while decreasing costs, improving physical and behavioral health outcomes, and addressing social determinants of health.
Since 2016, StationMD has been recognized across the country as a leader in delivering health care to individuals with IDD who have complex medical conditions requiring immediate attention from a doctor. This population often struggles with access to transportation, caregiver availability, and finding doctors who understand their medical nuances, resulting in high rates of emergency department utilization and hospitalization and incurring significant costs. StationMD expands access to high-quality medical and behavioral healthcare to these individuals by offering 24/7, on-demand virtual consultations with board-certified doctors who are specialized in treating people with IDD through a simple-to-use telemedicine application.
Building upon the organization’s extensive expertise as a direct service provider for individuals with co-occurring IDD and complex medical and behavioral health needs, Benchmark has developed a customizable solution – the Building Provider Capacity (BPC) model – to meet the needs of this population. In BPC, professional and clinical staff provide wraparound support, targeted consultation, technical assistance, and training to providers to enhance their performance in serving individuals with complex needs.
StationMD will collaborate with Benchmark to add a critical component to the BPC model psychiatric and medical care via telehealth, 24/7/365. This collaboration establishes an innovative home- and community-based care model to address IDD and behavioral health systems gaps, reduce the total cost of care, and improve outcomes for individuals served, fostering greater independence and quality of life.
“Benchmark has utilized StationMD in several states and has been thrilled by their skills and the impact it has had on the lived experiences of individuals served and their staff,” said Doug Beebe, Benchmark CEO. “This partnership creates an integrated care approach for people who are often disenfranchised and excluded from ready access to high-quality primary care and psychiatric support.”
“Through our partnership with Benchmark Human Services, we are launching a truly innovative model of whole-person care, creating a network of partners that deliver long-term support expertise AND quality medical and behavioral care. This solution will remove barriers to healthcare and address critical social determinants of health for the individual with IDD, and for their ecosystem of caregivers and professional support staff,” said Dr. Maulik Trivedi, cofounder and chief strategy officer of StationMD. “Both Benchmark and StationMD share a common mission of fostering independence, community integration, and improving the quality of life for the individuals we serve so they can function at their maximum potential.”
About Benchmark Human Services
Founded in 1960 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Benchmark’s mission is to help people live as independently as possible, be included in their communities, and reach their maximum potential. Benchmark serves over 15,000 individuals with disabilities and behavioral health needs throughout 18 states and the District of Columbia. Learn more at Benchmarkhs.com and follow along via Twitter (@Benchmark_HS) and on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn (BenchmarkHumanServices).
About StationMD
StationMD is a healthcare solution that delivers sophisticated medical care through telemedicine, offering immediate access at any time to high-quality, board-certified doctors who are specially trained in the care of individuals with IDD. Through HIPAA-compliant two-way video technology, and with the use of Bluetooth medical tools, StationMD physicians can assess individuals in their home setting. They can provide treatment plan recommendations and quality medical care to keep patients safe, healthy and in place whenever possible. Learn more at www.StationMD.com and follow along via Twitter (@StationMD) and on Facebook and LinkedIn (StationMD).