HMHI engaged the Sorenson Impact Institute and the Clinical and Translational Science Institute’s (CTSI) Health Economics Core to create a replicable framework capturing the cost savings and community benefits of its behavioral healthcare services. The goal was straightforward: to identify the social and economic impact of HMHI programs and services, demonstrating that behavioral healthcare and substance use programs generate monetary benefits for a variety of stakeholders and institutions, as well as society at large. The team analyzed data from more than a dozen HMHI programs to deliver tangible, program-specific results that can inform the decisions of policymakers, payors, and providers.
The HMHI framework highlights impacts such as reduced strain on emergency departments (ED), shorter law-enforcement hold times, and concrete savings tied to effective care. Across this dataset, the analysis shows a noteworthy drop of 2.7 ED visits per patient. The financial evidence is also significant: maternal mental health services generated an estimated $2.3–$7.4 million in socioeconomic and health savings from 2019 to 2024, while substance use disorder treatments saved $5.0–$12.6 million over the same period.
The report illustrates a practical, repeatable way for behavioral health institutions to measure and communicate the value of their services. By translating outcomes into dollars-and-cents terms and highlighting community benefits, the HMHI framework encourages decision-makers to move beyond “cost-center” thinking and invest in prevention, treatment, and recovery that deliver dividends for individuals, families, communities, and the systems that serve them.
