Top 10 Features to Look for in a Behavioral Health EMR

When it comes to running a behavioral health practice, having the right tools can make all the difference. Generic EMR systems fall short when addressing the unique challenges and workflows of behavioral health providers.

Why EMR feature selection matters

Choosing the right behavioral health EMR software features can make or break your practice’s success in providing quality care. With the right features, you can streamline workflows, improve patient outcomes, and stay ahead of constantly evolving healthcare regulations.

Choosing the right EMR for your organization

During your search, you must think of the specific needs of your practice and patient population. Not all practices are alike, and each may require different tools and functionalities. Another important consideration is the level of customization offered. Your practice has its own unique workflows and processes, so having the ability to customize features based on these specific needs can greatly improve efficiency.

Read reviews, ask for demos, and speak to other professionals in your field who have implemented an EMR system. You’ll gain insights into the user experience, support provided by the vendor, and any challenges they faced during implementation. You’ll also be able to find out what they’re missing and what their must-have EMR features are.

Top 10 features for behavioral health providers

1. AI-powered charting

Fast, easy access to care notes is probably the reason you’re looking to upgrade—or switch to—EMR platforms. Being able to chart every interaction with ease reduces the amount of time your teams have to spend doing so. Physicians as a whole spend more than a third of their time documenting patient data. Behavioral health providers are no exception. When you combine extensive documentation requirements with the intensity of the subject matter they discuss with their patients, it’s no wonder so many are facing burnout.

AI EMR features for behavioral health: EMR platforms are quickly adopting AI features that make documentation easier. Behavioral health-specific EMRs can use AI to:

• Transcribe, generate, and summarize group and individual notes with custom rules and templates.
• Summarize biopsychosocial information so it’s easy to reference.
• Compile history and physical details for treatment planning.
• Quickly complete forms based on information already in the system.

2. Workflow automations

Mental health and addiction treatment usually happen at different levels of care for most patients. Multidisciplinary teams, including therapists, physicians, counselors, pharmacists, and social workers, will all be involved. Moving patients through treatment in an EMR should be automated, so your teams can be more focused on complex care.

EMR automation features for behavioral health: As the core business management software for many providers, the EMR contains a lot of data. Behavioral health practices can take advantage of automated workflows like:

• Creating new contacts and combining like contacts when patients return.
• Updating the bed board when new opportunities/leads are lost.
• Sending group session reminders to clients before appointments.
• Pulling completed forms from other applications into the EMR.

3. Patient engagement tools

Patients entering behavioral health treatment are vulnerable. They may be reluctant to start treatment and sometimes face long wait times for care. Staying engaged with them can boost their trust in your program. Engagement starts during the lead stage and doesn’t end until they discharge from an alumni program.

Patient engagement in EMRs for behavioral health: Patient communication can take a lot of time. Your EMR can make engagement a breeze with:

• Automated, personalized texts and emails.
• Custom forms required for treatment.
• Templated forms packets for different stages of care.

4. Compliance and security management

Complying with privacy regulations has to be top of mind, even when your teams are working with patients. But compliance and privacy doesn’t have to be a hassle. Electronic medical records are more secure than paper files, and many systems automatically run security audits.

Behavioral health compliance features of EMRs: Your practice doesn’t just have to comply with HIPAA; it has to be up to 42 CFR Part 2 standards, too. Generic healthcare EMRs might not have all the features you need to stay compliant. Behavioral health-specific platforms can fill the gaps with:

• Access controls with role-based permissions.
• Audit, integrity, and authentication controls.
• Extra consent forms for mental health and SUD notes.

5. Customizable dashboards and reporting

Census data can inform patient outcomes. Every person on your team should be able to see who they’re responsible for, how long they’ve been in treatment, and their schedule—quickly and easily. Custom dashboards give team members the ability to get the exact information they need so they can get to work.

Customizable features in behavioral health EMRs: With so many different positions on your staff, everyone’s day will look at least a little different. Customizable reports and dashboards on your behavioral health EMR platform make it easy to get to work. Some useful features include:

• Widgets for approving or discontinuing medications.
• Sticky filters to make reporting easier.
• Team queue management for directors and coordinators.
• Appointment calendars and telehealth scheduling.

6. Scalability and flexibility

33% of respondents to one survey could not get the mental health services they needed. Provider burnout and appointment shortages—along with stigma and cost—are factors in this disparity. More people are looking for behavioral health treatment, and you may have the opportunity to scale your business to meet new demands. Your software must be able to keep up as you grow.

Features that make behavioral health EMRs scalable and flexible: Operating multiple sites in different locations is possible—and it can be easier with a behavioral health EMR. Your platform can make transferring patients and their data a breeze with:

• Secure cloud-based hosting that’s accessible where you need it.
• Customizable templates to make your unique workflows available.
• Mobile and desktop accessibility for working on the go.

7. Seamless with other systems

Staying on top of your revenue cycle starts before potential patients ever start treatment. Pre-treatment VOB lets you prioritize the right payor mix. Regular utilization reviews make sure your patients are getting the right care while keeping your operations viable. Your EMR platform sits right in the middle, a place where you can track what you need and enter data for clean claims.

Features that make behavioral health EMRs seamless: Your core business software isn’t just relevant to active patients. It should work seamlessly with third-party apps, billing, and outreach platforms. Look for software that has:

• Integrated RCM software for clean claims the moment someone starts treatment.
• Easy access to your CRM for better communication with referring partners and opportunities.
• Secure API capabilities that support—not disrupt—your workflows.

8. Remote monitoring and telehealth support

Outpatient behavioral health treatment is suitable for most patients. It gives them the chance to practice the skills they learn during rehab and/or therapy while they get back to work or school. Telehealth and remote monitoring tools keep them in touch with their treatment teams, and people like to use them. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth visits have remained high in Colorado. Nationwide, 55% of VA behavioral appointments were conducted remotely from 2019 to 2023.

How telehealth and remote monitoring are different in behavioral health EMRs: Staying in touch with patients in outpatient settings or after discharge is a requirement in behavioral health. EMR platforms can make it easier with:

• Secure telehealth integrations that make virtual-first treatment possible.
• Relapse monitoring that flags when someone needs intervention.
• Alumni group management for continued engagement after discharge.

9. User-friendly interface

Software that creates a good user experience (UX) is one that’s easier to use. Behavioral health providers often find themselves bouncing between patients and juggling sessions. When they log on to chart or message someone on another team, it needs to be simple, straightforward, and fast. Good UX reduces the chance of errors and gives team members time back they can use with their patients.

What makes a behavioral health EMR platform user-friendly: Your treatment teams likely use the EMR more than most other software. It should be easy to navigate and available where they are. Look for features like:

• Customizable interfaces and 24/7 technical support.
• Full mobile capability that’s easy to transport to group sessions.
• Pre-filling and AI assistance for charting.
• Secure, platform-based messaging for better collaboration.

10. Outcome measurement tools

The behavioral health landscape is shifting from value-based care (VBC) to measurement-based care (MBC). MBC uses standardized assessment tools to monitor how treatment affects outcomes. Regulatory bodies, like the Joint Commission, require MBC models. But, beyond regulatory compliance, tracking outcomes can improve treatment. By knowing what works for the populations you treat, you can create more relevant, specialized programs.

Outcome measurement tools in behavioral health EMRs: Better patient outcomes in behavioral health look different than those in other specialties. Your EMR should make them easy to track with:

• Standardized forms like PHQ-9, GAD-7, and DAST-10.
• Notifications to administer at regular intervals
• Shareable results for patient information.
• Outcome tracking reports to inform treatment planning.

How Sunwave delivers these capabilities

Sunwave Health makes managing your business more efficient by bringing everything together. With Sunwave, you can streamline your workflows and focus on providing the best possible care for your patients.

Your behavioral health practice doesn’t provide general medical care. Why would you settle for a generic EMR? Sunwave Health is purpose-built for behavioral health providers. Schedule a demo today to see why Sunwave is the right solution. Call 561.576.6037 or schedule online.