Top Company 2015: Mind Springs Health

Lisa Ryckman //August 28, 2015//

Top Company 2015: Mind Springs Health

Lisa Ryckman //August 28, 2015//

Winner: Health care

Mind Springs Health

www.mindspringshealth.org 

Three words from them, about them: High-impact. Compassionate. Life-saving.

In rural Colorado, where broad health care is a challenge, mental health is even more so. That fact makes Mind Springs Health’s achievement even more unlikely: a decades-old network of small, poorly managed, nearly bankrupt rural mental health clinics transformed into something quality-driven, patient-centric and fiscally stable.

Mind Springs treats all mental health concerns with a comprehensive array of inpatient, outpatient, and 24/7 mobile mental health and substance-use disorder services spanning all levels of illness severity and intensity of care. And it accepts all patients, regardless of ability to pay: About 23 percent of services go toward reduced fee/charity care, more than twice the industry standard. Nearly 17,000 people sought treatment last year at its 12 outpatient offices in 10 counties and its psychiatric hospital, the only one between Denver and Salt Lake City.

“With the only full continuum of mental health care – from prevention to crisis response to inpatient psychiatric hospitalization to outpatient therapy – in Colorado, we change lives every day, making a positive difference in the quality of life for individuals, families and communities,” CEO Sharon Raggio says.

Mind Springs recently joined statewide Colorado Crisis Services, increasing its mobile response and adding 11 crisis stabilization beds. Its cost-per-service is highly competitive and its treatments are considered a model of efficacy by Colorado’s Office of Behavioral Health. Its psychiatric hospital, which used to lose $4 million a year, now breaks even; average length of stay decreased 13 percent last year; and 30-day hospital recidivism is at an all-time low of 7 percent (versus 19 percent nationally), saving $770,400. Despite a surge in crisis response and services, no clients were lost to suicide within 30 days of treatment. Mind Springs’ in-community service treating “super users” of hospital ERs has saved Western Slope hospitals $400,000.

The secret sauce: “We truly value and appreciate our skilled and caring staff,” CEO Raggio says. “And they in turn are truly committed 24/7 to living out our mission of providing accessible, quality mental health care to everyone in need, regardless of ability to pay.” 

Finalists

Mental Health Center of Denver

www.mhcd.org

In 1989, Denver civic leaders consolidated four independent nonprofit mental health centers into a single system of care – the Mental Health Center of Denver. Since, MHCD has become Denver’s source for comprehensive and accessible mental health and substance abuse treatment, housing, education and employment services for adults, and the leading source of treatment for children, teens and families. Its 70 percent recovery rate – among the nation’s highest – is fueled by development and use of sophisticated recovery measuring tools that are integrated into electronic medical records, leading to the most effective treatment.

Terumo BCT

www.terumobct.com

Terumo BCT is a global leader in blood component and cellular technologies. At its Lakewood campus, the company offers associates perks such as an on-site fitness center, tuition reimbursement, nine medical plans, personal identity protection and pet insurance. The company’s Healthy Choices, Healthy You wellness program offers tools, resources, programs and financial incentives to help associates improve their personal health and that of their families.