Virtual-first multispecialty practice from Ovatient is built on Epic and MyChart, connecting patients to whole-person care when they need it, where they need it
CLEVELAND, OH. Oct. 21, 2024 – Ovatient, a virtual-first healthcare company, is building on its innovative care model with new virtual behavioral health services that are integrated with primary care as part of its comprehensive product offering at The MetroHealth System in Cleveland, Ohio.
These new services, which include brief individual therapy, single session interventions and skills groups, represent the next step in Ovatient’s continued investment in building on its integrated virtual multispecialty practice. Our services, which also include virtual primary care and urgent care, are built on Epic and MyChart and integrated with health systems’ existing infrastructure to seamlessly connect patients to care wherever they are, whenever they need it.
Since launching virtual care services in April with MetroHealth, Ovatient has completed more than 10,000 visits in Ohio. And of the patients we have seen in our virtual primary care offering, almost 19% have been identified as in need of behavioral health services. With new virtual behavioral health services from Ovatient, MetroHealth is growing its share of care by tapping into effective new ways to reach patients who need high-quality mental health support quickly and conveniently. Our approach empowers patients and improves health outcomes by fostering self-management skills and health-enhancing behaviors.
“We are extremely proud and excited to partner with MetroHealth to launch Ovatient’s virtual behavioral health services, integrated with primary care. This is an important milestone for our company as we continue to invest in and grow our virtual-first multispecialty practice,” said Ovatient CEO Michael Dalton. “These new services will enable MetroHealth to better reach new and existing patients who have a critical need for mental health support and are looking for a team-based approach to their care. We look forward to building on this foundation to increase access to high-quality, convenient virtual care in Ohio and across the nation.”
Our Approach to Behavioral Health
At the core of Ovatient’s behavioral health services is a recognition that physical, mental and emotional health are deeply intertwined. That is why we have integrated behavioral health with our primary care services. Key features of our integrated behavioral health solution include:
- Focus on Health Psychology: Tailored interventions address the psychological factors that impact chronic medical conditions and improve overall patient outcomes.
- Deep EHR Integration: Real-time data integration with Epic and MyChart enables seamless coordination between behavioral health and other medical providers, enhancing care quality and demonstrating clear ROI.
- Time-Limited Programming: Solution-focused, brief interventions optimize resource allocation and improve access to care.
- Culturally Competent Care: A diverse provider network and ongoing cultural competency training that ensures high-quality care for all patient populations.
- Bridging In-Person and Virtual Care: Providing integrated behavioral health services for primary care in both virtual and in-person settings.
“The research is clear. Integrated behavioral and primary care improves patient outcomes and satisfaction, increases access to care, and lowers costs for patients and the health system,” said Amy Lukowski, Psy.D., Director of Integrated Behavioral Health at Ovatient. “We are thrilled to partner with MetroHealth to introduce these new services and seamlessly connect patients throughout Northeast Ohio to convenient and affordable mental health support.”
What Our Behavioral Services Include
Patients access virtual behavioral health services through a referral from their MetroHealth or Ovatient primary care provider. Virtual visits are in-network for any health insurance company that has contracted with MetroHealth, including Medicare and Medicaid. Patients can also choose to pay with affordable and convenient cash options.
Ovatient’s primary care team is trained to identify patients who may benefit from behavioral health services. They guide these patients to appropriate care, either within Ovatient or through our customers’ preferred behavioral health providers. Patients work closely with both their primary care and behavioral health teams to create a personalized care plan. This plan, tailored to individual preferences and needs, may include:
- Single Session Intervention: Structured programs designed to be a stand-alone intervention or an adjunct support to help patients progress on one identified goal.
- Brief Individual Therapy: Short-term, structured sessions (up to 8) using evidence-based practices, including cognitive-behavioral therapy or solution-focused therapy.
- Skills Groups focusing on sleep, mindfulness and coping skills: Education, support and guidance to patients through shared goals and peer-to-peer learning and social support.
Throughout the treatment process, Ovatient behavioral and primary care teams will collaboratively track patients’ progress and measure success. If patients need additional support or a higher level of care, we can connect them to in-person services within MetroHealth, ensuring patients are provided a steady guiding hand at every stage of their treatment.
Partnership with MetroHealth
We are proud to continue to partner with MetroHealth to better reach and treat patients throughout Ohio. Since launching virtual care services in April 2024, Ovatient and MetroHealth care team members have worked side-by-side to treat thousands of patients throughout the region, including connecting many to specialty services within the health system, when needed.
“At MetroHealth, we have long believed that a patient’s well-being is more than just their physical health. That is why we continually invest in growing our behavioral health services to serve our diverse community,” said Nabil Chehade, MD, EVP and Chief Clinical Transformation Officer for The MetroHealth System. “This partnership with Ovatient enables us to take a step forward for our patients by providing them high-quality virtual behavioral health support that is seamlessly connected to their primary care team. We believe strongly in Ovatient’s virtual-first care model, which is improving access to care for our patients and increasing MetroHealth’s share of care in our region. We look forward to continuing to partner with Ovatient to bring more virtual care solutions to our patients.”
Interested in learning more about Ovatient and our new behavioral health services? Visit our website at www.Ovatient.com and schedule a meeting to connect with a member of our leadership team.
About Ovatient
Ovatient is a virtual-first healthcare company that puts a person – not just a patient – at the center of how they receive care and improve their health. Ovatient’s team of dedicated virtual providers and care team members work closely with health system partners to provide patients with connected, coordinated and convenient virtual care. Ovatient integrates with hospital system and patient medical records via Epic and MyChart, providing a more meaningful, personalized patient experience that empowers care teams with nearly real-time data. Ovatient was formed through a partnership between The MetroHealth System in Cleveland, Ohio and MUSC Health in Charleston, S.C., in October 2022.
About The MetroHealth System
Founded in 1837, MetroHealth is leading the way to a healthier you and a healthier community through service, teaching, discovery, and teamwork. Cuyahoga County’s public, safety-net hospital system, MetroHealth meets people where they are, providing care through five hospitals, four emergency departments and more than 20 health centers. Each day, our nearly 9,000 employees focus on providing our community with equitable healthcare — through patient-focused research, access to care, and support services — that seeks to eradicate health disparities rooted in systematic barriers. For more information, visit metrohealth.org.
