Arbital Health and Quartet Health: A Strategic Collaboration for Improved Mental Health Outcomes
In a significant move aimed at enhancing mental health care delivery, Arbital Health, a technology company specializing in outcomes-based contracts, has entered into a long-term strategic collaboration with Quartet Health, a leading virtual mental and behavioral health platform. This partnership is poised to support Quartet’s Whole Health program, which is designed to lower costs and improve patient outcomes for individuals diagnosed with serious mental illnesses.
Understanding the Whole Health Program
Quartet Health’s Whole Health program represents a transformative approach to mental health care. It is a whole-person care delivery platform that integrates physical and behavioral health services, offering comprehensive wraparound care for individuals with severe mental illness at no additional cost to patients. This innovative model emphasizes the importance of treating the whole person rather than just addressing isolated symptoms, thereby fostering better health outcomes.
The program aims to drive Total Cost of Care (TCoC) reduction by developing a robust financial and contracting structure with clients. This structure is essential for realizing and calculating savings, ultimately benefiting both patients and healthcare providers.
Arbital Health’s Role in the Collaboration
Arbital Health brings a wealth of expertise to this partnership, particularly in the realm of actuarial science and value-based care contracting. Dr. Michael Lipp, Quartet’s Chief Medical Officer, highlighted Arbital’s collaborative approach and deep understanding of value-based care as key factors that make them well-suited for the Whole Health program. He stated, "Arbital’s team is extremely collaborative and supportive. Their partnership has allowed us to analyze opportunities, support us through value-based contracting, and provide the actuarial expertise needed for the execution and expansion of this program."
Andrew Mackenzie, Chief Science Officer at Arbital Health, emphasized the critical importance of addressing untreated mental health conditions. He noted that these conditions can lead to worse outcomes not only for patients but also for payers and providers, exacerbating other health issues. "Accurately measuring the financial impact associated with appropriate treatment will allow for greater deployment of better value-based care for patients with mental health conditions," Mackenzie explained. This approach will enable providers to serve patients more effectively while improving payer economics.
The Larger Trend in Mental Health Care
The collaboration between Arbital Health and Quartet Health is part of a broader trend in the healthcare industry that emphasizes value-based care, particularly in mental health. In March, Quartet partnered with Clover Health to bring value-based behavioral healthcare to Clover members with severe mental illness through Clover Home Care. This partnership expanded Quartet’s Whole Health program by adding in-person or virtual therapy, psychiatry, and self-guided programs to Clover’s offerings.
Quartet Health has been proactive in expanding its capabilities and reach. In 2021, the company acquired InnovaTel Telepsychiatry, a virtual behavioral health provider, shortly after announcing a $60 million funding round led by Independence Health Group. This acquisition and funding have positioned Quartet to enhance its service offerings and improve access to mental health care.
Arbital Health’s Recent Developments
Launched in 2023, Arbital Health is already making waves in the healthcare technology sector. The company recently announced a $10 million Series A funding round, which will support its mission to improve outcomes-based contracts in healthcare. Additionally, Arbital acquired Santa Barbara Actuaries, a firm specializing in value-based care and data analytics solutions. This acquisition further strengthens Arbital’s capabilities in delivering innovative solutions that align with the goals of the Whole Health program.
Conclusion
The strategic collaboration between Arbital Health and Quartet Health marks a significant step forward in the quest to improve mental health care delivery. By focusing on outcomes-based contracts and a whole-person care model, this partnership aims to reduce costs and enhance patient outcomes for individuals with serious mental illnesses. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, initiatives like these are crucial for ensuring that mental health care is accessible, effective, and integrated into the broader healthcare system. With the combined expertise of Arbital and Quartet, the future of mental health care looks promising, paving the way for better health outcomes for those in need.