Addressing timely access to behavioral health care through the adoption of open access methods supports the well-being of people with behavioral health conditions, improves staff productivity, and increases financial stability for provider organizations. However, no study has previously documented the experience of provider organizations using this model in Massachusetts.
The report identifies organizations that operate open access today and highlights the approaches that have been most successful. The report also pinpoints keys to success for organizations to consider in adopting an open access model and offers policy recommendations to promote the broader adoption of open access in the Massachusetts behavioral health care system. The case studies provide detailed descriptions of each model, describe the successes and challenges of implementation, and indicate how COVID-19 has impacted operations.
