New Report Outlines How Employers Can Advance Behavioral Health Access, Referral Quality and Outcomes
Findings highlight practical opportunities to strengthen behavioral health strategy, reduce patient burden and improve the value of care
BOSTON — Oct. 6, 2026 — Outcome Referrals Inc. has released “Employers Embrace Outcomes-Based Provider Matching to Advance Behavioral Health Access and Quality,” a report based on its March 2026 National Convening on Evidence-Based Behavioral Health in Chicago. The convening was supported by a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute® Eugene Washington Engagement Award.
“The research presented at the convening reinforced a clear point: Access alone is not enough,” said David Kraus, PhD, founder and CEO of Outcome Referrals. “People need to know that a referral will connect them with a provider who is well suited to address their needs. The report identifies practical ways to improve referral quality, reduce trial-and-error care and apply the evidence within systems already in place.”
The convening brought together employers, health plans, providers, researchers, patient advocates, purchaser coalitions, behavioral health organizations and other industry leaders. Participants examined comparative clinical effectiveness research on outcomes-informed provider matching and considered what it could mean for behavioral health access, referral quality and patient outcomes.
Key findings include:
· Better initial referrals matter. Participants said matching people with providers whose demonstrated strengths align with their needs may improve engagement, continuity of care, patient experience and outcomes.
· Trial-and-error care creates a significant burden. Delays, limited transparency and repeated unsuccessful referrals can contribute to frustration, disengagement and loss of trust.
· Access and quality must advance together. An available appointment does not by itself demonstrate provider fit, effectiveness or the likelihood of meaningful improvement.
· Interest in outcomes-based decision-making is growing. Employers, health plans, providers and patient advocates identified opportunities to use patient-reported outcomes to strengthen referrals, navigation, benefit design and network strategies.
· Practical implementation support is essential. Stakeholders want workflows, case studies, integration strategies and phased approaches that can complement existing health plan, employee assistance program and provider systems.
Webinar Series
A three-part webinar series will build on the report findings and explore how employers, health plans, purchaser coalitions, behavioral health organizations, providers, patient advocates, researchers, consultants and other health care stakeholders can put the research into practice. The sessions will move from the evidence to the economics and practical implementation.
· Mental Health Strategy: Beyond Access to Excellence — Oct. 9, 2026, 11 a.m.-noon Eastern. The opening session will review the research and convening findings, then examine how organizations can improve referral quality, outcomes, care delivery and network oversight. Register at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1D1lFyAfRYiIgNchc2XnhQ.
· The Economics of Behavioral Health Excellence — Dec. 4, 2026, at 11 a.m.-noon Eastern. The discussion will address the clinical and financial implications of connecting people with effective behavioral health care earlier.
· Outcomes-Based Matching: Implementation Across the Spectrum — Jan. 8, 2027, at 11 a.m.-noon Eastern. The final session will examine how employers, health plans, providers and other stakeholders can implement outcomes-based matching in their respective settings.
About Outcome Referrals, Inc.
Outcome Referrals, Inc. is focused on improving access, quality, and equity in behavioral healthcare through science‑based referral and outcomes measurement. Its Express Access™ platform uses AI and the Treatment Outcome Package (TOP) to scientifically match patients to behavioral health providers who have demonstrated success treating individuals with similar needs. Proven in federally funded research and published in leading peer‑reviewed journals, Outcome Referrals’ mission is to make behavioral healthcare work for everyone by making outcomes transparent, measurable, and actionable. Learn more: outcomereferrals.com.
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Media Contact:
Cary Conway
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