Jersey Shore Receives Behavioral Health Home TJC Certification

The Behavioral Health Home at Jersey Shore University Medical Center has received certification from The Joint Commission (TJC). This optional certification goes above and beyond what is required for accreditation and provides additional recognition for the behavioral health services offered at the medical center.

The Behavioral Health Home is a high intensity outpatient service targeting those with the most need. It is focused on bringing together physical and behavioral health care in a coordinated and integrated manner. The goal is to decrease high rates of morbidity and mortality of individuals with serious mental illness/behavioral health conditions and also dealing with (or at risk for) chronic medical conditions.

“Our Behavioral Health Home offers a continued standard of care that allows individuals to have all of their health care needs identified, addressed, and treated in a coordinated way,” says Ramon Solhkhah, M.D., chair, Department of Psychiatry at Jersey Shore University Medical Center and corporate medical director of Hackensack Meridian Health Behavioral Health Care Transformation Service. “The same team of clinicians and practitioners either deliver, or coordinate the delivery of, all the necessary medical, behavioral, and social supports required for the individual, acknowledging the impact each area has on the others.”

Jersey Shore University Medical Center’s team facilitates and coordinates the psychiatric and physical health care of Behavioral Health Home members, whether they receive that care at one of the Hackensack Meridian Health facilities or elsewhere in the community. The program is focused on wellness, disease management, prevention and coordination. Services are designed to reduce fragmented care that may lead to unnecessary use of emergency department visits and hospital admissions.

“Receiving this certification is an incredible accomplishment by an amazing team and I am extremely proud of what they do to care for our community in a comprehensive and compassionate manner,” says Kenneth N. Sable, M.D., MBA, FACEP, regional president, southern market, Hackensack Meridian Health. “As the health care community works to address the behavioral health care needs that are so prevalent, achieving a whole-person care delivery model truly sets our services apart from others.”

Jersey Shore University Medical Center’s Behavioral Health Home is specific to Monmouth County residents who are NJ Medicaid beneficiaries. Patients must meet criteria to participate, such as having an approved psychiatric diagnosis and either have, or be at-risk for, a chronic medical condition. To learn more about the Behavioral Health Home or for a referral, call 732-643-4342.