New clients in need of mental health services, therapists and professionals on the same day with no appointment can now get help through the new Open Access option at Health Solutions West, including offices in Steamboat Springs and Craig.
The service is open to new clients in-person or virtually the same day from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday with no appointment necessary. Organizers say the option is “quick and easy to get the care you need; just call or come in when you’re ready.”
The Open Access option provides a full assessment and recommendations for treatment services that meet the person’s unique needs, or the service could be for one visit if necessary.
“With Open Access, Health Solutions West will see you that day if you walk in or call between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.,” said Tom Gangel, regional outreach director based in Steamboat for Health Solutions West.
Gangel noted the new offering is important because when a new patient schedules a first appointment three or more days from their original contact, “the national average for new patients to not show up for that appointment is about 50%.”
“This high no-show rate is partly a function of mental illness or substance-use disorder,” Gangel explained. “If you are not seen when your motivation is high, that motivation wanes. It is hard when you have depression to make that first call for services; it is harder still to stay motivated for multiple days before you are seen.”
The director said the partnership that started last year with the former Mind Springs Health joining with Health Solutions to create Health Solutions West helped to reallocate assets to ensure that new or returning patients could be seen the day they reach out for services.
“Companywide before the start of Open Access, Health Solutions West was seeing roughly 50 new clients a month,” Gangel explained. “By the third month of piloting Open Access, HSW was seeing 190 new patients a month.”
If a patient is in crisis outside of the Open Access hours, mobile crisis services are available 24 hours a day for anyone needing immediate care for a mental health or substance-use disorder crisis, Gangel said. Call or text 988 for the Colorado Mental Health Line to get started with crisis services.
Open Access services are available to clients with Health First Colorado/Medicaid, self-pay or private insurance.
Open Access is available in person in Steamboat Springs at 407 S. Lincoln Ave. and in Craig at 439 Breeze St. Call 877-603-7045.
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