An article in Behavioral Healthcare suggests that hospitals consider collaborating with behavioral-health organizations to reduce preventable readmissions — and the accompanying Medicare penalties.

This makes a lot of sense since hospital readmissions are two to three times higher than average for patients with co-morbid mental-health or substance-abuse issues.

Still, the publication warns that complications and confusions around reimbursements and the lack of experience of many hospital staffs with behavioral-health patients can make creating solid partnerships difficult.