1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:02,159 Hello, everyone. This is Jacob Emerson with the 2 00:00:02,159 --> 00:00:05,279 Becker's Payer Issues podcast. Thrilled today to be 3 00:00:05,279 --> 00:00:08,160 joined by doctor Tracy Gajewski, who's the chief 4 00:00:08,160 --> 00:00:10,719 health officer at Catalite. Tracy, thank you so 5 00:00:10,719 --> 00:00:12,400 much for taking the time to be with 6 00:00:12,400 --> 00:00:13,619 me on the podcast today. 7 00:00:14,054 --> 00:00:15,414 Thank you so much for having me. It's 8 00:00:15,414 --> 00:00:17,654 a pleasure to be here. Yeah. Absolutely. And 9 00:00:17,654 --> 00:00:19,094 before we dive into everything we wanna talk 10 00:00:19,094 --> 00:00:21,254 with you about, Tracy, can you talk to 11 00:00:21,254 --> 00:00:24,054 us a little bit more about your self, 12 00:00:24,054 --> 00:00:26,134 your background in health care, and what it 13 00:00:26,134 --> 00:00:27,835 is that you do today at Catalyte? 14 00:00:28,619 --> 00:00:31,439 Yeah. So I'm a licensed clinical neuropsychologist. 15 00:00:31,980 --> 00:00:34,140 I have more than twenty years of experience 16 00:00:34,140 --> 00:00:36,079 in the field of developmental disabilities, 17 00:00:36,780 --> 00:00:39,019 something I'm pretty proud of. I also have 18 00:00:39,019 --> 00:00:41,199 an MBA specializing in health care management. 19 00:00:41,739 --> 00:00:42,879 But as the 20 00:00:43,284 --> 00:00:46,244 chief health officer at Adelaide, I oversee day 21 00:00:46,244 --> 00:00:48,104 to day clinical operations, administrative, 22 00:00:49,204 --> 00:00:51,844 operations, also our provider network, which is a 23 00:00:51,844 --> 00:00:53,465 very large provider network, 24 00:00:54,005 --> 00:00:55,625 and then our research institute. 25 00:00:56,300 --> 00:00:56,700 So, 26 00:00:57,179 --> 00:01:00,060 we're we're pretty big. We have we serve 27 00:01:00,060 --> 00:01:01,520 more than 20,000 28 00:01:01,740 --> 00:01:02,240 families, 29 00:01:03,260 --> 00:01:05,500 a day. And so we have a sort 30 00:01:05,500 --> 00:01:07,260 of a scope and scale that I feel 31 00:01:07,260 --> 00:01:09,734 really excited about being a part of. 32 00:01:10,375 --> 00:01:12,614 What drives me and why I'm in the 33 00:01:12,614 --> 00:01:13,974 role that I'm in, I've been in this 34 00:01:13,974 --> 00:01:16,295 role at Catalite for for seven years. Prior 35 00:01:16,295 --> 00:01:18,534 to that, I was in large health care 36 00:01:18,534 --> 00:01:19,034 organizations. 37 00:01:20,534 --> 00:01:23,174 But what really drives me is creating systems 38 00:01:23,174 --> 00:01:25,430 of care that supports our clients and families 39 00:01:25,430 --> 00:01:27,609 in different ways. Right? And so 40 00:01:27,909 --> 00:01:28,409 really, 41 00:01:29,189 --> 00:01:29,689 understanding 42 00:01:30,150 --> 00:01:32,650 our industry of serving people with developmental 43 00:01:33,109 --> 00:01:35,270 disabilities, how we can how we can do 44 00:01:35,270 --> 00:01:37,350 this better, how we can make change in 45 00:01:37,350 --> 00:01:40,635 our industry to really have better outcomes and, 46 00:01:41,034 --> 00:01:43,295 support those families in different ways. So 47 00:01:43,834 --> 00:01:45,215 my passion and purpose, 48 00:01:45,834 --> 00:01:48,715 I I really are filled at Catalyte because 49 00:01:48,715 --> 00:01:50,495 we are paying such close attention 50 00:01:51,049 --> 00:01:54,409 to how we can focus on well-being of 51 00:01:54,409 --> 00:01:55,709 these clients and families, 52 00:01:56,569 --> 00:01:57,390 and really, 53 00:01:57,689 --> 00:01:59,609 you know, pay attention to how we break 54 00:01:59,609 --> 00:02:01,870 down barriers and biases for a more equitable 55 00:02:01,930 --> 00:02:04,810 world for people with developmental disabilities. So this 56 00:02:04,810 --> 00:02:06,334 is this is what I do and and 57 00:02:06,334 --> 00:02:08,175 what I'm passionate about and why I'm I'm 58 00:02:08,175 --> 00:02:09,854 really excited to be here talking with you 59 00:02:09,854 --> 00:02:10,354 all. 60 00:02:10,814 --> 00:02:13,694 Fantastic. Well, we're really looking forward to all 61 00:02:13,694 --> 00:02:15,854 the insights you're gonna tell us, especially for 62 00:02:15,854 --> 00:02:17,634 our audience listening in, Tracy. 63 00:02:18,229 --> 00:02:20,150 In that vein, you mentioned you've been in 64 00:02:20,150 --> 00:02:23,030 your role at Catalyte for seven years now. 65 00:02:23,030 --> 00:02:24,629 Talk to us about what you're seeing in 66 00:02:24,629 --> 00:02:26,870 terms of the major obstacles out there in 67 00:02:26,870 --> 00:02:29,750 providing care for individuals with autism and other 68 00:02:29,750 --> 00:02:31,930 intellectual and developmental disabilities. 69 00:02:33,055 --> 00:02:36,655 Yes. So, I really see three main obstacles 70 00:02:36,655 --> 00:02:39,055 that we are always looking at, always pagan 71 00:02:39,134 --> 00:02:40,354 paying attention to 72 00:02:40,655 --> 00:02:43,134 and trying to to bring down. So one 73 00:02:43,134 --> 00:02:45,789 is access. Right? Access to care, access to 74 00:02:45,789 --> 00:02:47,870 the diagnosis, and access to treatment once that 75 00:02:47,870 --> 00:02:49,090 diagnosis is made 76 00:02:49,469 --> 00:02:52,270 and, in a timely way. Right? So what 77 00:02:52,270 --> 00:02:54,030 we know is that I I'll say at 78 00:02:54,030 --> 00:02:54,530 Catalite, 79 00:02:54,909 --> 00:02:56,989 we pay very close attention to it, and 80 00:02:56,989 --> 00:03:00,084 our accesses is quite good. We have, clients 81 00:03:00,084 --> 00:03:02,644 that want when when they, come into our 82 00:03:02,644 --> 00:03:03,144 services, 83 00:03:03,444 --> 00:03:05,125 we see them with, you know, less than 84 00:03:05,125 --> 00:03:07,384 ten days, more like five to seven days. 85 00:03:08,084 --> 00:03:09,604 And we make sure that they're getting into 86 00:03:09,604 --> 00:03:10,905 services very quickly. 87 00:03:11,550 --> 00:03:13,489 But that is not the case for everywhere. 88 00:03:13,789 --> 00:03:15,949 You know, one area in Northern California, but 89 00:03:15,949 --> 00:03:17,569 then as we start looking at, 90 00:03:18,030 --> 00:03:19,469 The United States and then we look at 91 00:03:19,469 --> 00:03:21,489 the world, access really changes. 92 00:03:22,110 --> 00:03:23,949 I will say we we know that the 93 00:03:23,949 --> 00:03:26,075 the new CDC report just came out. 94 00:03:26,534 --> 00:03:28,615 So nationally, it's one in thirty one children 95 00:03:28,615 --> 00:03:31,175 are diagnosed with autism. In California, it's one 96 00:03:31,175 --> 00:03:31,835 in nineteen. 97 00:03:32,295 --> 00:03:33,754 So we will continue, 98 00:03:34,855 --> 00:03:38,075 to see and and feel that that challenge 99 00:03:38,135 --> 00:03:38,955 with access. 100 00:03:39,699 --> 00:03:41,939 And it's something I I think is really 101 00:03:41,939 --> 00:03:44,280 important to continue to pay attention to. 102 00:03:44,979 --> 00:03:45,479 Second, 103 00:03:46,340 --> 00:03:48,659 serious outcomes. So this is not something in 104 00:03:48,659 --> 00:03:51,300 our industry that we we, you know, we're 105 00:03:51,300 --> 00:03:53,384 still figuring out how to do. 106 00:03:53,685 --> 00:03:56,004 What are we measuring in order to understand 107 00:03:56,004 --> 00:03:58,084 if a client or a family is making 108 00:03:58,084 --> 00:04:01,044 meaningful progress in their treatment? What does that 109 00:04:01,044 --> 00:04:03,125 look like? What are those outcomes? At Cadillac, 110 00:04:03,125 --> 00:04:05,444 we have very clear outcome measures that we 111 00:04:05,444 --> 00:04:07,289 look at and focus on. But as an 112 00:04:07,289 --> 00:04:08,750 industry, I think we 113 00:04:09,050 --> 00:04:10,989 are challenged by aligning 114 00:04:11,289 --> 00:04:12,989 to what those outcomes are, 115 00:04:13,449 --> 00:04:15,610 and having, you know, a standardized way of 116 00:04:15,610 --> 00:04:17,149 looking at quality of care. 117 00:04:17,610 --> 00:04:18,589 And then lastly, 118 00:04:19,285 --> 00:04:20,645 I'm gonna talk a little bit about value 119 00:04:20,645 --> 00:04:22,485 because you have to talk about value. Right? 120 00:04:22,485 --> 00:04:24,404 We we need to pay attention to cost 121 00:04:24,404 --> 00:04:25,145 of services. 122 00:04:26,004 --> 00:04:29,285 High hours, which translates into high cost, doesn't 123 00:04:29,285 --> 00:04:31,285 always mean better care, and so we need 124 00:04:31,285 --> 00:04:33,464 to pay attention to that. So it's another, 125 00:04:33,764 --> 00:04:34,170 obstacle 126 00:04:35,129 --> 00:04:35,629 think 127 00:04:35,930 --> 00:04:38,009 can get in our way sometimes. Certainly. And 128 00:04:38,009 --> 00:04:39,770 let's stay on that topic, Tracy, the the 129 00:04:39,770 --> 00:04:41,150 second point that you mentioned, 130 00:04:41,610 --> 00:04:44,250 how to measure success in this space. What 131 00:04:44,250 --> 00:04:46,810 are the most meaningful ways to measure success 132 00:04:46,810 --> 00:04:49,629 when it comes to autism and IDD care? 133 00:04:50,095 --> 00:04:50,834 Yeah. So 134 00:04:51,375 --> 00:04:52,995 my focus, our focus, 135 00:04:53,694 --> 00:04:56,574 everything rolls up to well-being. So well-being of 136 00:04:56,574 --> 00:04:57,794 the client and family. 137 00:04:58,415 --> 00:05:00,495 I'll also put in there well-being of our 138 00:05:00,495 --> 00:05:02,879 industry, well-being of our providers who are, 139 00:05:03,360 --> 00:05:05,120 you know, serving our clients and our industry, 140 00:05:05,120 --> 00:05:08,000 but well-being in general. But specifically, when we 141 00:05:08,000 --> 00:05:09,620 look at measuring success 142 00:05:10,080 --> 00:05:12,399 of a treatment plan or a client in 143 00:05:12,399 --> 00:05:12,899 care, 144 00:05:13,680 --> 00:05:15,540 looking at how they are doing 145 00:05:16,165 --> 00:05:19,125 in terms of their well-being scale, you know, 146 00:05:19,125 --> 00:05:21,064 score. So we have a scale, a well-being, 147 00:05:21,685 --> 00:05:23,305 scale that we utilize, 148 00:05:24,245 --> 00:05:26,645 and it's pretty important. But let me also 149 00:05:26,645 --> 00:05:28,485 pause and say, what is well-being? Right? Well-being 150 00:05:28,485 --> 00:05:29,605 could mean a lot of things to a 151 00:05:29,605 --> 00:05:32,220 lot of different people. But, ultimately, we we 152 00:05:32,220 --> 00:05:34,800 see this as the ultimate measure of success, 153 00:05:35,100 --> 00:05:37,899 and it's it's different for every person. Right? 154 00:05:37,899 --> 00:05:40,220 So every family, every client that comes into 155 00:05:40,220 --> 00:05:42,800 us, we need to sit down and understand 156 00:05:43,180 --> 00:05:45,199 for that family what is well-being. 157 00:05:45,740 --> 00:05:47,714 We have such a heterogeneous population 158 00:05:48,095 --> 00:05:50,274 that we need to understand from an individual 159 00:05:50,334 --> 00:05:53,074 basis for that family, what does that mean? 160 00:05:53,935 --> 00:05:56,894 Is it having greater independence? Is it having, 161 00:05:56,894 --> 00:05:58,995 you know, strengthening family relationships? 162 00:05:59,935 --> 00:06:00,995 I'll give a very 163 00:06:01,819 --> 00:06:03,120 easy quick example, 164 00:06:03,500 --> 00:06:05,019 which when we look at treatment plans, we 165 00:06:05,019 --> 00:06:06,779 look at lots of treatment plans, and we'll 166 00:06:06,779 --> 00:06:08,879 see a goal on that treatment plan 167 00:06:09,500 --> 00:06:11,040 such as tying shoes. 168 00:06:11,740 --> 00:06:13,579 And that goal stays on that treatment plan 169 00:06:13,579 --> 00:06:15,420 for a long time. And the question that 170 00:06:15,420 --> 00:06:17,685 we ask that our clinicians ask is, why 171 00:06:17,685 --> 00:06:20,164 why are we focusing on tying shoes? Is 172 00:06:20,164 --> 00:06:20,904 is that 173 00:06:21,284 --> 00:06:21,784 actually 174 00:06:22,084 --> 00:06:24,404 contributing to a better well-being in that for 175 00:06:24,404 --> 00:06:26,485 that client or family? Or should we just 176 00:06:26,485 --> 00:06:28,404 get some Velcro shoes or some slip on 177 00:06:28,404 --> 00:06:29,925 shoes and move on to something that will 178 00:06:29,925 --> 00:06:32,300 actually increase the well-being in that family, which 179 00:06:32,300 --> 00:06:33,680 might be better communication, 180 00:06:34,139 --> 00:06:36,220 lowering challenging behaviors. Right? So they can go 181 00:06:36,220 --> 00:06:37,439 out to a family dinner. 182 00:06:38,060 --> 00:06:41,100 So, again, getting real focused on well-being and 183 00:06:41,100 --> 00:06:42,160 the measure of well-being 184 00:06:42,699 --> 00:06:44,779 is important. And then the last piece I'll 185 00:06:44,779 --> 00:06:47,120 I'll add to the well-being piece is affordability. 186 00:06:48,055 --> 00:06:50,134 So, looking at the we look at the 187 00:06:50,134 --> 00:06:51,915 whole family, right, holistically. 188 00:06:52,694 --> 00:06:55,274 Cost share can be really challenging and debilitating 189 00:06:55,415 --> 00:06:56,235 for a family. 190 00:06:56,615 --> 00:06:58,375 So in my mind, we really need to 191 00:06:58,375 --> 00:06:59,595 pay attention to, 192 00:07:00,150 --> 00:07:02,150 you know, what is the cost for this 193 00:07:02,150 --> 00:07:04,629 family and how does that impact that whole 194 00:07:04,629 --> 00:07:05,129 family, 195 00:07:05,830 --> 00:07:07,350 and making sure that we have the right 196 00:07:07,350 --> 00:07:07,850 treatment, 197 00:07:08,150 --> 00:07:10,410 so that they really can move through treatment 198 00:07:10,790 --> 00:07:11,290 swiftly, 199 00:07:11,910 --> 00:07:13,370 and have meaningful progress, 200 00:07:14,284 --> 00:07:16,685 but also pay attention to the impact of 201 00:07:16,685 --> 00:07:17,824 that entire family. 202 00:07:18,844 --> 00:07:20,764 Sure. And I I wanna come back to 203 00:07:20,764 --> 00:07:23,584 something you had said about serving a heterogeneous 204 00:07:23,964 --> 00:07:24,464 population. 205 00:07:25,564 --> 00:07:27,819 Catalyte is a growing company. How do you 206 00:07:27,819 --> 00:07:29,439 ensure that the care you're providing 207 00:07:30,139 --> 00:07:34,240 remains deeply individualized while operating at scale across, 208 00:07:34,699 --> 00:07:36,879 the diverse populations that you serve? 209 00:07:37,259 --> 00:07:37,759 Yes. 210 00:07:38,139 --> 00:07:41,519 So what's really important here is having 211 00:07:42,555 --> 00:07:45,115 different treatment options. So, again, this is something 212 00:07:45,115 --> 00:07:46,334 that our our industry 213 00:07:47,035 --> 00:07:48,814 historically doesn't really do, 214 00:07:49,194 --> 00:07:49,675 but, 215 00:07:50,235 --> 00:07:53,274 one size truly does not fit all in 216 00:07:53,274 --> 00:07:55,055 terms of treatment for autism, 217 00:07:55,834 --> 00:07:57,935 or developmental disabilities for that matter. 218 00:07:58,529 --> 00:07:59,810 So, again, in the past, we've had this 219 00:07:59,810 --> 00:08:01,409 sort of one form of treatment. We we 220 00:08:01,409 --> 00:08:02,849 do the same thing for all of our 221 00:08:02,849 --> 00:08:05,250 families, and it just it doesn't it doesn't 222 00:08:05,250 --> 00:08:05,990 make sense. 223 00:08:06,449 --> 00:08:08,689 So at Catalyte, what what we do is 224 00:08:08,689 --> 00:08:10,870 we've really expanded the treatment options. 225 00:08:11,375 --> 00:08:12,735 You know, that that's how we can do 226 00:08:12,735 --> 00:08:14,275 this at scale. So, individually, 227 00:08:14,654 --> 00:08:16,735 we'll sit down with a family when they 228 00:08:16,735 --> 00:08:19,215 first come into treatment. That first appointment is 229 00:08:19,215 --> 00:08:19,955 really important 230 00:08:20,415 --> 00:08:21,074 to understand 231 00:08:21,455 --> 00:08:25,235 what that client needs, what that family needs, 232 00:08:26,220 --> 00:08:29,420 and then ensure that as we build their 233 00:08:29,420 --> 00:08:29,920 their 234 00:08:30,300 --> 00:08:31,360 their care path, 235 00:08:32,059 --> 00:08:34,559 that we're really paying attention to those individual 236 00:08:34,940 --> 00:08:37,740 needs and treatment and then have different treatment 237 00:08:37,740 --> 00:08:39,980 options. Right? So for one family, it might 238 00:08:39,980 --> 00:08:42,254 mean one thing. For another, it might mean 239 00:08:42,254 --> 00:08:43,154 something else. 240 00:08:43,535 --> 00:08:46,274 But having those options to care 241 00:08:46,975 --> 00:08:48,355 at a large scale, 242 00:08:49,054 --> 00:08:51,294 and ensuring that we have access to those 243 00:08:51,294 --> 00:08:53,075 different options, treatment options, 244 00:08:53,535 --> 00:08:55,330 is is, I think, what sort of the 245 00:08:55,330 --> 00:08:57,570 secret sauce is there. Right? It's it's really 246 00:08:57,570 --> 00:09:01,250 about driving individualized care and getting it right 247 00:09:01,250 --> 00:09:03,649 right from the beginning of of treatment so 248 00:09:03,649 --> 00:09:05,269 that that client can really, 249 00:09:05,970 --> 00:09:07,909 again, so we see meaningful progress. 250 00:09:09,414 --> 00:09:11,014 So, Tracy, I wanna ask you about something 251 00:09:11,014 --> 00:09:13,894 that we're constantly hearing about from insurers, and 252 00:09:13,894 --> 00:09:16,615 it's their their their want and their need 253 00:09:16,615 --> 00:09:17,995 to address better 254 00:09:18,375 --> 00:09:21,115 social determinants of health, among their membership. 255 00:09:21,440 --> 00:09:22,480 Can you talk to us a little bit 256 00:09:22,480 --> 00:09:25,440 about how Catalyte is designing care models to 257 00:09:25,440 --> 00:09:28,820 address SDOH, and and how are you responsive 258 00:09:29,120 --> 00:09:33,759 to individual emotional or geographic needs among among 259 00:09:33,759 --> 00:09:34,820 those that you're serving? 260 00:09:35,545 --> 00:09:36,285 Yeah. So 261 00:09:36,904 --> 00:09:39,065 it's a great question and is absolutely one 262 00:09:39,065 --> 00:09:42,024 that, gets, I think, asked often. So, again, 263 00:09:42,024 --> 00:09:44,105 I'm gonna go back to this different options 264 00:09:44,105 --> 00:09:46,445 of of care delivery that is so important. 265 00:09:47,065 --> 00:09:47,384 So, 266 00:09:47,945 --> 00:09:49,049 understanding addressing 267 00:09:50,169 --> 00:09:51,950 those individual needs of our population 268 00:09:52,409 --> 00:09:53,476 is really important. So what we do and 269 00:09:53,476 --> 00:09:55,289 what is, I think, really important is in 270 00:09:55,289 --> 00:09:56,889 that first meeting that I was just talking 271 00:09:56,889 --> 00:09:58,190 about in that last question, 272 00:09:58,570 --> 00:10:00,669 we are looking we are asking questions 273 00:10:01,209 --> 00:10:03,865 about what is needed for that holistic, 274 00:10:04,485 --> 00:10:06,404 you know, for the whole family. Right? So 275 00:10:06,404 --> 00:10:09,225 understanding those social determinants of health, understanding 276 00:10:09,764 --> 00:10:10,825 access for transportation, 277 00:10:11,284 --> 00:10:13,384 food insecurity, economic stability. 278 00:10:14,084 --> 00:10:16,379 All of these things will impact care and 279 00:10:16,379 --> 00:10:17,360 impact how 280 00:10:17,819 --> 00:10:20,639 the best delivery for care for that family 281 00:10:20,860 --> 00:10:23,100 will be. So, again, now let's talk about, 282 00:10:23,100 --> 00:10:25,600 you know, is it having telehealth? Is telehealth 283 00:10:25,659 --> 00:10:26,959 actually just a much, 284 00:10:27,500 --> 00:10:29,980 better care delivery for a family or coming 285 00:10:29,980 --> 00:10:31,360 into a clinic or 286 00:10:31,764 --> 00:10:34,004 having a mixture of that or having, 287 00:10:34,485 --> 00:10:36,584 the the treatment team going into the home. 288 00:10:36,884 --> 00:10:38,985 Again, going back to what are those individual 289 00:10:39,044 --> 00:10:39,544 needs, 290 00:10:40,485 --> 00:10:43,845 and then designing the care path around those 291 00:10:43,845 --> 00:10:44,309 needs, 292 00:10:45,029 --> 00:10:47,509 and ensuring that we're paying attention to to 293 00:10:47,509 --> 00:10:49,509 what they are for that that family. It's 294 00:10:49,509 --> 00:10:52,149 a crucial step in the beginning of treatment 295 00:10:52,149 --> 00:10:54,389 that so then we can design that care 296 00:10:54,389 --> 00:10:56,870 path with the treatment options and all and 297 00:10:56,870 --> 00:10:58,250 service delivery options 298 00:10:58,629 --> 00:11:01,184 that will really help tailor it to that 299 00:11:01,184 --> 00:11:01,684 family. 300 00:11:02,304 --> 00:11:04,464 So, Tracy, earlier in our conversation, you were 301 00:11:04,464 --> 00:11:06,164 talking about how affordability 302 00:11:06,704 --> 00:11:09,664 often remains a a key challenge for patients 303 00:11:09,664 --> 00:11:11,904 in this space. And, you know, I think 304 00:11:11,904 --> 00:11:15,799 affordability often gets framed as cost cutting. So 305 00:11:16,259 --> 00:11:18,580 how how are you defining affordability in a 306 00:11:18,580 --> 00:11:22,340 way that supports both sustainable and high quality 307 00:11:22,340 --> 00:11:25,860 care for your patients with autism or or 308 00:11:25,860 --> 00:11:28,279 other intellectual and developmental disabilities? 309 00:11:29,585 --> 00:11:32,404 Yes. So, when I think about affordability 310 00:11:33,345 --> 00:11:34,804 or defining affordability, 311 00:11:35,745 --> 00:11:38,384 with high quality care for clients, really, what 312 00:11:38,384 --> 00:11:40,225 what we're talking about in my mind is 313 00:11:40,225 --> 00:11:42,789 value based care. We at Catalyte believe and 314 00:11:42,789 --> 00:11:45,690 operate under a large valley based care model, 315 00:11:45,750 --> 00:11:46,250 and, 316 00:11:46,710 --> 00:11:49,610 it's it's quite important. In fact, I 317 00:11:49,990 --> 00:11:52,649 I believe that high quality care, which is, 318 00:11:53,110 --> 00:11:54,230 you know, a part of this, 319 00:11:54,710 --> 00:11:56,889 you know, valley based care, actually 320 00:11:57,365 --> 00:11:58,825 drives lower costs, 321 00:11:59,284 --> 00:12:02,884 and it opens up access. So those three 322 00:12:02,884 --> 00:12:04,644 things, as we talked about in the beginning 323 00:12:04,644 --> 00:12:07,065 of this podcast, are really, 324 00:12:07,684 --> 00:12:10,164 really important to pay attention to. So high 325 00:12:10,164 --> 00:12:12,825 quality care is really about that client, 326 00:12:13,179 --> 00:12:15,840 you know, being able to achieve their goals, 327 00:12:17,019 --> 00:12:17,500 and, 328 00:12:17,980 --> 00:12:21,259 have meaningful progress in their treatment. In order 329 00:12:21,259 --> 00:12:22,540 to do this, we have to get it 330 00:12:22,540 --> 00:12:24,300 right from the beginning. So we've talked about 331 00:12:24,300 --> 00:12:26,860 that. Right? It's really important to understand what 332 00:12:26,860 --> 00:12:29,075 the right care path is and the right 333 00:12:29,075 --> 00:12:30,855 recommendations for that family. 334 00:12:31,554 --> 00:12:33,335 And in doing that, 335 00:12:33,875 --> 00:12:35,014 what we'll see 336 00:12:35,554 --> 00:12:38,034 is we'll see a client attaining their goals 337 00:12:38,034 --> 00:12:40,730 and treatment. So then we'll see this engagement 338 00:12:41,509 --> 00:12:42,730 in front of the caregiver. 339 00:12:43,429 --> 00:12:47,049 Caregiver engagement is really important. When a caregiver 340 00:12:47,110 --> 00:12:49,429 is truly engaged in in the treatment, what 341 00:12:49,429 --> 00:12:52,070 we'll see is we'll see stress levels come 342 00:12:52,070 --> 00:12:53,370 down in the family. 343 00:12:53,725 --> 00:12:56,845 We'll see confidence levels go up in the 344 00:12:56,845 --> 00:12:59,085 family in terms of caring for that that 345 00:12:59,085 --> 00:13:00,705 client, and then we'll see, 346 00:13:01,245 --> 00:13:04,865 goal attainment. We'll see goals really, being achieved. 347 00:13:05,725 --> 00:13:07,804 And then we'll see, you know, ending of 348 00:13:07,804 --> 00:13:09,059 an episode of care, 349 00:13:09,779 --> 00:13:10,279 because, 350 00:13:10,820 --> 00:13:13,080 that family that, has integrated 351 00:13:13,620 --> 00:13:15,080 those parenting strategies, 352 00:13:15,460 --> 00:13:18,419 those interventions in their everyday life. And so 353 00:13:18,419 --> 00:13:20,740 we'll see all of these things working together, 354 00:13:20,740 --> 00:13:22,980 and and then we can end the episode 355 00:13:22,980 --> 00:13:23,559 of care. 356 00:13:24,115 --> 00:13:25,014 What that translates 357 00:13:25,394 --> 00:13:26,615 into is 358 00:13:27,075 --> 00:13:28,054 lower cost. 359 00:13:28,355 --> 00:13:28,835 Right? 360 00:13:29,315 --> 00:13:32,514 And so that first pillar of of a 361 00:13:32,514 --> 00:13:33,795 value based, you know, 362 00:13:34,274 --> 00:13:36,215 care is high quality, 363 00:13:37,220 --> 00:13:39,480 meaningful outcomes happening quickly, 364 00:13:40,100 --> 00:13:42,279 which then, will translate into 365 00:13:42,820 --> 00:13:43,620 lower costs. 366 00:13:44,019 --> 00:13:46,180 So it's important to get it right right 367 00:13:46,180 --> 00:13:47,700 from the beginning to be able to do 368 00:13:47,700 --> 00:13:50,259 that, but I think it's it's really the 369 00:13:50,259 --> 00:13:51,620 way that we should be caring for our 370 00:13:51,620 --> 00:13:52,600 clients and families. 371 00:13:53,514 --> 00:13:56,475 Absolutely. It's such a good point that providing 372 00:13:56,475 --> 00:13:58,715 this high quality care isn't just good for 373 00:13:58,715 --> 00:14:00,715 the patient. It's good for their families, those 374 00:14:00,715 --> 00:14:03,534 around them, and that trickles down to affecting 375 00:14:03,595 --> 00:14:04,815 the the entire system. 376 00:14:05,480 --> 00:14:07,639 I think that's that kind of leads me 377 00:14:07,639 --> 00:14:09,879 to ask more of a philosophical question here, 378 00:14:09,879 --> 00:14:10,379 Tracy. 379 00:14:10,759 --> 00:14:12,759 You've been in this space, for so long. 380 00:14:12,759 --> 00:14:14,840 You have so much expertise here. If you 381 00:14:14,840 --> 00:14:17,000 could redesign this system and and how we 382 00:14:17,000 --> 00:14:20,235 care for individuals with autism and other IDDs 383 00:14:20,455 --> 00:14:21,595 from the ground up. 384 00:14:22,054 --> 00:14:23,335 What are some of the first things that 385 00:14:23,335 --> 00:14:24,955 you would build differently? 386 00:14:26,054 --> 00:14:28,615 Yes. So I'm gonna tell you four things. 387 00:14:28,615 --> 00:14:30,615 These are four things that I feel pretty 388 00:14:30,615 --> 00:14:33,190 passionately about, and you've heard me mention some 389 00:14:33,190 --> 00:14:35,669 of these. So one is different treatment options. 390 00:14:35,669 --> 00:14:37,750 Right? So, again, one size does not fit 391 00:14:37,750 --> 00:14:39,590 all. We have to have different treatment options 392 00:14:39,590 --> 00:14:41,049 for our clients and families 393 00:14:41,590 --> 00:14:42,389 that can, 394 00:14:43,029 --> 00:14:45,190 you know, really help them be able to 395 00:14:45,190 --> 00:14:45,690 tailor 396 00:14:46,334 --> 00:14:48,254 the needs to that family. So that's the 397 00:14:48,254 --> 00:14:50,115 first one. Number two 398 00:14:50,574 --> 00:14:51,054 is, 399 00:14:51,534 --> 00:14:52,834 supporting caregivers 400 00:14:53,294 --> 00:14:55,294 in different ways so that they really feel 401 00:14:55,294 --> 00:14:55,794 empowered 402 00:14:56,334 --> 00:14:57,794 and their their active 403 00:14:58,174 --> 00:15:00,034 role in supporting their child 404 00:15:00,559 --> 00:15:03,200 rather than this emphasis on a professional or 405 00:15:03,200 --> 00:15:03,779 a paraprofessional 406 00:15:04,559 --> 00:15:06,419 coming in and being the agent and change. 407 00:15:06,639 --> 00:15:09,440 The caregiver, they they they know their child 408 00:15:09,440 --> 00:15:09,940 best, 409 00:15:10,480 --> 00:15:13,120 and helping them feel empowered and lowering their 410 00:15:13,120 --> 00:15:15,915 stress, increasing their their confidence, 411 00:15:16,535 --> 00:15:17,995 is really important. 412 00:15:18,695 --> 00:15:19,195 Third, 413 00:15:19,815 --> 00:15:22,855 respite services. So this is something that we 414 00:15:22,855 --> 00:15:25,335 don't I don't think do enough of. So 415 00:15:25,335 --> 00:15:27,434 a family does need a break. A caregiver 416 00:15:27,575 --> 00:15:28,634 does need a break. 417 00:15:29,240 --> 00:15:32,120 Sometimes we'll see treatment plans that honestly are 418 00:15:32,120 --> 00:15:34,039 very, very high hours. And really what I'm 419 00:15:34,039 --> 00:15:36,839 looking at is not necessarily the medical need 420 00:15:36,839 --> 00:15:39,480 there, but, a caregiver needing a break. And 421 00:15:39,480 --> 00:15:42,059 so I think that it what's really important 422 00:15:42,120 --> 00:15:43,419 is weaving into 423 00:15:43,774 --> 00:15:45,315 the care for this family 424 00:15:45,774 --> 00:15:47,394 are more respite services 425 00:15:48,095 --> 00:15:50,995 and fun respite services. Right? Ones that the 426 00:15:51,054 --> 00:15:53,455 the client is really out there having fun 427 00:15:53,455 --> 00:15:56,335 and the caregiver can relax and say, I'm 428 00:15:56,335 --> 00:15:58,595 gonna actually take care of myself today. 429 00:15:59,240 --> 00:16:01,720 While I know my my child is in 430 00:16:01,720 --> 00:16:04,039 really good hands and actually having a good 431 00:16:04,039 --> 00:16:05,019 experience themselves. 432 00:16:05,720 --> 00:16:06,860 And then lastly, 433 00:16:07,559 --> 00:16:09,480 and, again, I've talked about this throughout this 434 00:16:09,480 --> 00:16:11,159 podcast, but I'm gonna say it again because 435 00:16:11,159 --> 00:16:12,139 it's really important, 436 00:16:12,584 --> 00:16:14,824 is our industry focusing on the well-being of 437 00:16:14,824 --> 00:16:15,964 the client and the family. 438 00:16:16,345 --> 00:16:18,444 I think we can sometimes overlook that. 439 00:16:18,824 --> 00:16:20,504 And I think if we get back down 440 00:16:20,504 --> 00:16:22,904 to the basics of asking ourselves what is 441 00:16:22,904 --> 00:16:24,985 the best thing, what is increasing the well-being 442 00:16:24,985 --> 00:16:26,789 of that client and family, I think that 443 00:16:26,870 --> 00:16:28,709 a lot of the puzzle pieces fall into 444 00:16:28,709 --> 00:16:29,209 place. 445 00:16:30,309 --> 00:16:32,789 Understood. It's it's great list. And let me 446 00:16:32,789 --> 00:16:35,029 just recap there for our audience, Tracy. You're 447 00:16:35,029 --> 00:16:36,009 you're really recommending 448 00:16:36,389 --> 00:16:40,230 different treatment options, better caregiver support, more respite 449 00:16:40,230 --> 00:16:41,190 services, and, 450 00:16:41,825 --> 00:16:42,725 just a reimagined 451 00:16:43,024 --> 00:16:44,725 industry focus on the patient 452 00:16:45,024 --> 00:16:45,924 and their family. 453 00:16:46,384 --> 00:16:47,904 I I also wanna ask you something that, 454 00:16:47,904 --> 00:16:49,985 you know, we hear about constantly from health 455 00:16:49,985 --> 00:16:51,664 care leaders, and I I'd be remiss if 456 00:16:51,664 --> 00:16:53,044 I didn't ask you as well. 457 00:16:53,345 --> 00:16:56,199 How are you using artificial intelligence today, And 458 00:16:56,199 --> 00:16:57,559 and what do you think that this will 459 00:16:57,559 --> 00:16:59,259 continue to look like in this space, 460 00:16:59,959 --> 00:17:01,019 two years from now? 461 00:17:01,559 --> 00:17:03,159 Yes. I had so much fun at the 462 00:17:03,159 --> 00:17:04,059 Becker's conference 463 00:17:04,919 --> 00:17:07,720 hearing about and talking about AI. I think 464 00:17:07,720 --> 00:17:10,039 every presentation had an element of AI in 465 00:17:10,039 --> 00:17:12,595 it, and as it should because this is 466 00:17:12,595 --> 00:17:14,195 this is something that we need to pay 467 00:17:14,195 --> 00:17:15,875 very close attention to. It's something that I'm 468 00:17:15,875 --> 00:17:17,875 wildly excited about, to be quite honest with 469 00:17:17,875 --> 00:17:20,055 you, about client care, patient care because, 470 00:17:20,674 --> 00:17:21,654 I I think 471 00:17:22,195 --> 00:17:24,900 three things. It's gonna expand access. Right? Really 472 00:17:24,900 --> 00:17:27,299 important. It's gonna enhance our care, and it's 473 00:17:27,299 --> 00:17:28,360 gonna drive efficiency. 474 00:17:28,980 --> 00:17:30,119 So, ultimately, 475 00:17:30,980 --> 00:17:33,539 what we care about is more time using 476 00:17:33,539 --> 00:17:35,720 AI, leveraging AI to have more 477 00:17:36,100 --> 00:17:38,519 direct time with clients and families. 478 00:17:39,265 --> 00:17:41,585 So a clinician does not come into this 479 00:17:41,585 --> 00:17:42,085 field, 480 00:17:42,704 --> 00:17:45,105 you know, to do chart notes, right, and 481 00:17:45,105 --> 00:17:47,365 to do a lot of administrative tasks. Yet 482 00:17:47,744 --> 00:17:49,444 that is a big piece of their day. 483 00:17:50,144 --> 00:17:52,005 AI is something that we can leverage, 484 00:17:52,305 --> 00:17:53,730 that we are leveraging, and I'll tell you 485 00:17:53,730 --> 00:17:55,329 about that in a second. But to be 486 00:17:55,329 --> 00:17:56,230 able to reduce 487 00:17:56,609 --> 00:17:59,509 those administrative tasks and really for clinician 488 00:17:59,809 --> 00:18:01,650 to spend that direct time with a client 489 00:18:01,650 --> 00:18:03,730 and family, which is, you know, really where 490 00:18:03,730 --> 00:18:05,750 their skill set is and really what what, 491 00:18:06,369 --> 00:18:08,524 is is wonderful for them, 492 00:18:08,825 --> 00:18:11,144 and for the client and family. So right 493 00:18:11,144 --> 00:18:11,964 now at Adelaide, 494 00:18:12,345 --> 00:18:15,085 last year, we rolled out, an Ambient AI 495 00:18:15,625 --> 00:18:19,004 tool that is reduced note taking. It's, Nabla. 496 00:18:19,625 --> 00:18:21,704 And so it reduced the note taking and 497 00:18:21,704 --> 00:18:22,204 increases 498 00:18:22,509 --> 00:18:25,230 rapport and connection with the clients. It reduces 499 00:18:25,230 --> 00:18:26,529 burnout of our clinicians. 500 00:18:27,309 --> 00:18:29,470 We also have a shortage of clinicians in 501 00:18:29,470 --> 00:18:32,269 the industry, right, overall. And so taking care 502 00:18:32,269 --> 00:18:34,990 of those clinicians and helping them really do 503 00:18:34,990 --> 00:18:37,234 what why they're there, what, you know, what 504 00:18:37,234 --> 00:18:38,694 what they're in the field for 505 00:18:39,234 --> 00:18:42,035 is really important. So this is an, Ambien 506 00:18:42,035 --> 00:18:44,835 AI documentation tool, and it transcribes the the 507 00:18:44,835 --> 00:18:46,914 notes in real time and then really cuts 508 00:18:46,914 --> 00:18:47,734 down on, 509 00:18:48,329 --> 00:18:50,490 their them having to do that note taking 510 00:18:50,490 --> 00:18:52,349 afterward that everyone sort of dreads. 511 00:18:52,890 --> 00:18:55,130 So that is in full flight at Catalite, 512 00:18:55,130 --> 00:18:56,970 which is is really wonderful, and we're seeing 513 00:18:56,970 --> 00:18:59,210 a lot of the benefits there. But when 514 00:18:59,210 --> 00:19:00,615 we talk about because because I think the 515 00:19:00,615 --> 00:19:03,815 question, yep, was really around also looking forward. 516 00:19:03,815 --> 00:19:05,255 What is it gonna look like in in 517 00:19:05,255 --> 00:19:06,454 a couple of years? What are we gonna 518 00:19:06,615 --> 00:19:08,775 you know, I think there's there's two other 519 00:19:08,775 --> 00:19:11,335 areas that I'm pretty excited about. One is 520 00:19:11,335 --> 00:19:13,195 really looking at how we can do assessments 521 00:19:13,255 --> 00:19:16,119 and diagnostics in a different way that, again, 522 00:19:16,119 --> 00:19:17,019 takes out 523 00:19:17,400 --> 00:19:20,460 the administrative pieces of writing big long reports, 524 00:19:20,839 --> 00:19:22,940 and helps to streamline that. So, 525 00:19:23,640 --> 00:19:25,579 we can, have some more standardization 526 00:19:26,119 --> 00:19:29,160 and, report writing that is more efficient. So 527 00:19:29,160 --> 00:19:31,785 we're excited about this, ability to 528 00:19:32,244 --> 00:19:34,664 really look at how we do assessments differently. 529 00:19:35,365 --> 00:19:36,345 And then lastly, 530 00:19:36,884 --> 00:19:38,585 using generative AI. 531 00:19:38,965 --> 00:19:41,045 What we're what we're starting to really look 532 00:19:41,045 --> 00:19:43,285 at and focus on is how do we, 533 00:19:44,005 --> 00:19:44,505 optimize, 534 00:19:45,640 --> 00:19:46,700 clinical recommendations 535 00:19:47,000 --> 00:19:47,819 and outcomes 536 00:19:48,279 --> 00:19:51,099 as well as looking at stratified risks enable, 537 00:19:51,559 --> 00:19:53,180 proactive support. So 538 00:19:54,279 --> 00:19:54,779 understand 539 00:19:55,160 --> 00:19:57,880 from from the very beginning what this client 540 00:19:57,880 --> 00:19:58,700 might need, 541 00:19:59,160 --> 00:20:00,714 what the most optimal 542 00:20:01,095 --> 00:20:03,255 recommendation is going to be that will bring 543 00:20:03,255 --> 00:20:05,115 them to the most optimal outcomes, 544 00:20:05,575 --> 00:20:06,634 and using generative 545 00:20:07,255 --> 00:20:09,575 AI to do that. This is a really 546 00:20:09,575 --> 00:20:12,295 sort of scalable, repeatable model of tech enabled 547 00:20:12,295 --> 00:20:14,295 value based care is how how how we 548 00:20:14,295 --> 00:20:16,130 see it, and I'm really excited about 549 00:20:16,430 --> 00:20:19,869 it. Wow. I mean, clearly, really exciting things 550 00:20:19,869 --> 00:20:21,950 to come in this space, Tracy, and and 551 00:20:21,950 --> 00:20:22,690 from Catalite, 552 00:20:23,069 --> 00:20:24,130 certainly as well. 553 00:20:24,670 --> 00:20:26,750 Before we go, we've got a lot of 554 00:20:26,750 --> 00:20:29,069 health plan and other health care leaders listening 555 00:20:29,069 --> 00:20:30,930 in today from all over the country. 556 00:20:31,325 --> 00:20:33,005 What else are we missing, Tracy? What do 557 00:20:33,005 --> 00:20:33,984 you wanna tell them? 558 00:20:34,924 --> 00:20:35,424 Yeah. 559 00:20:35,884 --> 00:20:37,644 I think we covered a lot, but I 560 00:20:37,644 --> 00:20:39,265 will just go back and say 561 00:20:39,884 --> 00:20:40,384 caregiver 562 00:20:40,924 --> 00:20:41,424 involvement, 563 00:20:42,765 --> 00:20:43,904 treatment options, 564 00:20:44,285 --> 00:20:44,785 individualized 565 00:20:45,430 --> 00:20:48,170 care, looking at the whole family, and 566 00:20:48,789 --> 00:20:50,170 system of that family 567 00:20:50,789 --> 00:20:52,730 drives better outcomes and value. 568 00:20:53,670 --> 00:20:55,990 So again, bottom line, everything rolls up to 569 00:20:55,990 --> 00:20:56,490 well-being. 570 00:20:56,869 --> 00:20:59,369 And if we can stay focused on 571 00:20:59,804 --> 00:21:01,884 what matters to our clients and families, I 572 00:21:01,884 --> 00:21:02,784 think we will 573 00:21:03,085 --> 00:21:04,044 be able to, 574 00:21:04,444 --> 00:21:06,924 sort of hit the mark and change our 575 00:21:06,924 --> 00:21:07,424 industry. 576 00:21:08,605 --> 00:21:10,524 Wonderful. Well, I think that's a great place 577 00:21:10,524 --> 00:21:12,764 to leave things. Tracy, I wanna thank you 578 00:21:12,764 --> 00:21:14,559 for taking the time to sit down with 579 00:21:14,559 --> 00:21:16,720 us and for sharing your insights with our 580 00:21:16,720 --> 00:21:19,440 listeners. We really appreciate it. Thank you so 581 00:21:19,440 --> 00:21:21,139 much. It was a pleasure being here. 582 00:21:21,519 --> 00:21:24,179 I'd also like to thank our podcast sponsor, 583 00:21:24,240 --> 00:21:24,740 Catalite. 584 00:21:25,077 --> 00:21:26,997 You can tune in to more podcasts from 585 00:21:26,997 --> 00:21:29,877 Becker's Healthcare by visiting our podcast page at 586 00:21:29,877 --> 00:21:32,217 beckershospitalreview.com.