Six Essential Questions Behavioral Health Clinics Should Ask Before Choosing a Measurement-Based Care Vendor

Measurement-Based Care (MBC) is no longer a "nice to have"—it's a must-have for behavioral health clinics. With growing expectations for data-driven decision-making, value-based care, and patient-centered outcomes, selecting the right MBC vendor can make or break a clinic’s success.

But with so many options out there, how do you know which one is right for your organization?

Too often, clinics invest in a platform only to find that it doesn’t integrate well with their EHR, workflows, or funding requirements. To avoid costly mistakes, behavioral health clinics need to ask the right questions upfront. Here are six key questions that will help you identify a vendor that truly supports your clinic’s needs.

1. How does your platform support real-time clinical decision-making?

Data is only valuable if clinicians can use it when they need it.

A strong MBC platform should:

• Integrate patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) into clinician workflows.

• Provide real-time scoring and visualization to support clinical decision-making.

• Alert providers to worsening symptoms or risks (like suicide or substance use relapse).

If clinicians can’t access the data easily—or if it requires extra clicks and effort—the platform won’t get used.

2. Does your platform integrate seamlessly with our EHR system?

Interoperability is a non-negotiable. The last thing providers need is another system requiring manual data entry.

Ask vendors:

• Which EHRs do you integrate with?

• Is the integration bidirectional? (Meaning, can it push and pull data automatically?)

• How does the data flow? Can assessments be completed via the patient portal or within the EHR?

If integration is clunky or nonexistent, the platform will add burden—not value.

3. How does your solution align with your organization’s reporting and reimbursement requirements?

Many clinics have to report on specific quality metrics, often linked to funding.

Your MBC platform should:

• Support depression, anxiety, substance use, and other key outcome measures.

• Automate data aggregation and reporting for compliance with SAMHSA, state requirements, and payers.

• Align with value-based payment models, helping you demonstrate impact to funders.

• If a vendor can’t show how their platform supports regulatory compliance, move on.

4. What is your platform’s ability to customize measurement distribution?

Every clinic has different workflows, populations, and treatment needs. One-size-fits-all doesn’t work. 

Ask:

• Can we tailor how often measures are sent? (e.g., weekly for intensive outpatient, monthly for standard care)

• Can assessments be triggered based on visit types, diagnoses, or clinician preferences?

• Can measures be adjusted over time as patient needs evolve?

Flexibility matters. If the system doesn’t allow for customized measurement scheduling, it will create friction for both clinicians and patients.

5. How does your platform engage patients in the measurement process?

For MBC to be successful, patients have to actually complete the assessments—and feel like they’re meaningful.

Look for vendors that:

• Offer a way for easy access to complete and view forms.

• Provide real-time feedback so patients see their progress over time.

• Use reminders and automation to boost response rates.

If patients view assessments as just another form to fill out, engagement will drop. The right platform makes measurement part of the therapeutic process.

6. What kind of training and ongoing support do you offer?

Technology is only as good as the people using it. A vendor should partner with your clinic—not just sell software.

Ask:

• What does onboarding look like? Do they offer clinician training and workflow optimization?

• What kind of ongoing support is available? (e.g., dedicated account managers, tech support, best practice sharing)

• How do they help with change management? MBC isn’t just about tech—it’s about shifting clinical culture.

If a vendor disappears after implementation, you’re on your own when issues arise.

Final Thoughts: Invest Wisely

The right MBC platform can improve patient outcomes, support clinical decision-making, and streamline reporting—but only if it fits seamlessly into your clinic’s ecosystem.

By asking these six questions, you’ll avoid common pitfalls and choose a vendor that truly supports your clinic’s mission.

Want help evaluating MBC solutions for your clinic? Let’s connect. I specialize in guiding behavioral health organizations through vendor analysis and the implementation of effective, scalable MBC strategies—so you can focus on delivering great care.