2019
Annual
Report
Doris Vaught
Chief Executive Officer
Message from CEO:
We found the state-wide rollout of the AHCCCS Arizona Complete Care plans for our General Mental Health/Substance Use population to be a positive and seamless change.
Our continued participation in the AHCCCS Targeted Investment Program (TIP) was rewarding, both programmatically and financially. As a result, we’re able to expand integrated health services to our SMI population much faster and more efficiently than we would have been able to do without the structure provided by the TIP program.
We were also fortunate enough to be able to provide a much-needed facilities update to two of our outpatient facilities; allowing us to provide a more welcoming environment for staff and members. Keeping the budget in mind, we even got creative with artwork that was supplied thanks to a staff photo contest and by utilizing rebates earned from Costco!
A special thanks to all of the Lifewell staff and the Board of Directors. Without them and their tireless dedication to our mission, we would not be able to support our members and provide them with the care and services they need to help make their lives better.
Doris Vaugt
Chief Executive Officer
Message from CEO:
We found the state-wide rollout of the AHCCCS Arizona Complete Care plans for our General Mental Health/Substance Use population to be a positive and seamless change.
Our continued participation in the AHCCCS Targeted Investment Program (TIP) was rewarding, both programmatically and financially. As a result, we’re able to expand integrated health services to our SMI population much faster and more efficiently than we would have been able to do without the structure provided by the TIP program.
We were also fortunate enough to be able to provide a much-needed facilities update to two of our outpatient facilities; allowing us to provide a more welcoming environment for staff and members. Keeping the budget in mind, we even got creative with artwork that was supplied thanks to a staff photo contest and by utilizing rebates earned from Costco!
A special thanks to all of the Lifewell staff and the Board of Directors. Without them and their tireless dedication to our mission, we would not be able to support our members and provide them with the care and services they need to help make their lives better.
AHCCCS Targeted Investment Program (TIP)
- Lifewell expanded its capacity for providing Integrated Care by moving 3 of our Direct Care Clinics from minimal integration to full integration.
- All eight Lifewell outpatient clinics exceeded the TIP core measure of completing an Integrated Care Plan for at least 70% of our members and the Plan is documented in the electronic health record.
- All eight Lifewell outpatient clinics exceeded the TIP core measure of screening 85% of our members to identify Social Determinants of Health needs such as housing, jobs, health care, etc…, and connecting them with appropriate community resources as needed.
- Two of our clinics were able to meet the TIP core measure of warm hand-offs occurring with primary care services for at least 85% of our members.
- All aspects of the TIP core measure related to use of Arizona’s Health Information Exchange (HIE) were met at each of the Lifewell clinics, including high-risk member care management.
- Lifewell fully implemented TIP requirements for AHCCCS-defined member and family experience surveys and used this information to improve referral relationships.
Lifewell
Services
- Culinary Skills classes teach basic kitchen safety and cleanliness, and how to follow a recipe and pass the food handler test. Members plan menus, learn how to take inventory, order supplies, and cook lunch for other members.
- Supported Education classes range from ABE level to GED classes. We offer pre GED classes in all subjects where members get small classroom instruction and one on one tutoring as needed. Members work at their own pace and once ready to test, they are offered free testing vouchers.
- Our Pre Vocational/ Employment classes are designed to assist members with decreasing isolation, increasing socialization, and learning skills needed to integrate in the community with others. Our classes focus on teaching coping skills, stress management, communication skills, stages of change, work exploration, mental and physical health, and benefits counseling.
- Computer classes are offered as group or individual sessions. Classes are designed to teach basic computer skills and enhance computer knowledge for educational advancement, job exploration, community integration, and self-sufficiency.
- Peer support training sessions are offered three times a year over a ten-week period. Members are then offered to work with an Employment Specialist to search for employment.
- More than half of these students have reported that they have gained employment, and 2 graduates from 2019 are working at Lifewell.
Lifewell
Services
- Improve patient survival
- Increase retention in treatment
- Decrease illicit opiate use and other criminal activity among people with substance use disorders
- Increase patients’ ability to gain and maintain employment
- Improve birth outcomes among women who have substance use disorders and are pregnant
Lifewell
Services
Significant Expansion of Integrated Services in 2019:
Lifewell began providing primary care services at all 4 of our SMI Direct Care Clinic locations. In November of 2019, the Lifewell Primary Care team was increased to 2 Primary Care FNP’s and 2 MA’s to meet anticipated increased demand.
Lifewell expanded our partnership with Genoa and added our second pharmacy location at our Oak SMI Direct Care clinic location. A 2016 peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Managed Care and Specialty Pharmacy showed that integrated care models that feature onsite pharmacies produce higher medication adherence rates than community pharmacies, as well as lower rates of hospitalization and lower emergency department utilization.
Lifewell has two ACT (Assertive Community Treatment) Teams for SMI members who require frequent visits and intensive outpatient treatment options. These teams consist of a comprehensive group of behavioral health specialists who offer a variety of services ranging from psychiatric and medical services to housing and rehabilitation services.
- 1) Homeless percentage dropped from 19% to 7%
- 2) Emergency room visits dropped from 7% to 1%
- 3) Hospital admissions dropped from 22% to 7%
- 4) ACT 6 month review scored 4.36
- 5) QAP audit scored 92%
- 1) Staff retention increased from 80% to 92%
- 2) Monthly inpatient admissions decreased from 32% to 24%
- 3) PCP visits increased from 12% to 49%
- 4) Employment increased from 11% to 23%
- 5) Homelessness decreased from 10% to 3%
- 6) QAP audit scored 89%
Lifewell Housing and Property Management
Lifewell Financial Data
Looking Ahead:
Paycheck Protection Program – Lifewell received a loan from the SBA which has afforded us the opportunity to hold onto staffing levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are grateful for this assistance and believe it to be critical for us in the next several months as we experience a downturn in the economy and prepare for a potential lengthy recovery.
New Clinic, New Model – at the end of 2019, Lifewell purchased a new facility to house the Royal Palms SMI clinic and the Beryl Hub. We are in the process of renovations and plan to open a combined SMI/GMHSU clinic, complete with physical health services and a pharmacy in summer 2020.
