Cost savings in behavioral health are more important than ever. Learn how to drive down costs by partnering with a group purchasing organization.
Behavioral health and healthcare Managed Services Organizations (MSOs) are feeling the squeeze from rising costs, driven by increased service utilization, complex patient needs, and the financial intricacies of healthcare delivery. But with value-based care the highest priority for MSO clients, simply cutting or reducing services isn’t a realistic option. MSOs need to find a smarter way to lower costs while continuously improving the quality of services.
Indirect goods and services, like foodservice, sanitation supplies, laundry, and IT/SaaS, offer a significant yet often overlooked opportunity for savings. While these purchases don’t come with the massive price tags of medical equipment, the volumes involved mean their costs can add up quickly.
Indirect goods and services are essential for keeping facilities running smoothly, and any hiccup in their supply chains can dramatically disrupt operations and impact patient care. This presents a clear opportunity for MSOs to find cost savings while strengthening supply chain reliability in these critical areas.
Group purchasing organizations (GPOs) like Una provide an effective solution to these challenges. Our behavioral health and healthcare MSO members unlock savings ranging from 20% to as high as 49% across indirect categories through the incredible power of volume purchasing.
Una leverages over $100 billion in group buying power, providing members access to more than 2,500 pre-negotiated supplier contracts including those that are crucial for the sector, such as sanitation supplies and foodservice. This means MSOs can secure discounts quickly, streamline procurement processes, and enhance reliability and efficiency.
Top 8 Indirect Categories for Cost Savings in Behavioral Health and Healthcare MSOs
Here are the top eight categories where we've helped behavioral health and healthcare MSOs bring costs under control:
Foodservice
Costs can add up fast, but attempting to save money by reducing quality in this category is a mistake. Let us take the guesswork out of pricing models, logistics, and distribution. Our program gives members the peace of mind knowing their food programs are operating as efficiently as possible. Una connects MSOs to high-quality national food distributors, achieving savings of up to 22%.
Medical/Clinical-Adjacent Supplies
Items like gloves, sharps, masks and antiseptics are vital but often overlooked from a cost perspective. Una’s supplier network means solid savings through volume purchasing on everything you need to keep your facilities running smoothly.
Janitorial/Sanitation Supplies
Keeping things clean is crucial in healthcare. Una helps secure lower prices through collective buying power, ensuring a steady supply of goods and services.
Linens
Costs for bed linens and towels (both laundry and replacement) can pile up. Una helps secure contracts that reduce these expenses while maintaining quality.
Small Parcel Shipping
Necessary but costly. Una members can access our business discount shipping rates and save money on everything from ground, express, exporting, freight, and more from the world’s leading brands – for free. Our business discount shipping contracts help members save up to 20% on domestic and international services along with protection against price hikes, and a host of other value-added benefits.
Office Supplies/Printing
Everyday office needs contribute to costs. Una offers bulk purchasing options, leading to significant savings. Our program with Office Depot can save you up to 80% off list price for all of your office supply needs. Members can also get discounts janitorial supplies, furniture, office equipment, and managed services, and work directly with an account manager to maximize savings.
IT/SaaS
Software solutions including Electronic Health Records (EHRs), telemedicine platforms, and revenue cycle management systems are essential for managing operations. We have negotiated better rates with software/SaaS providers, allowing our members to save massively on subscriptions.
Security Services
Safety is paramount in healthcare. Una secures competitive pricing on security services, helping manage these essential expenses effectively.
Cost Savings in Action
A network of behavioral health centers recently teamed up with Una to tackle rising procurement costs while expanding. They focused on managing indirect spending across multiple locations, beginning their journey with an analysis of food purchasing needs before tackling other categories. With Una’s support, the organization achieved impressive savings:
- 49% on office products
- 22% on food costs
- 20% on staff uniforms
- 20% on janitorial supplies.
Overall, they saved an average of 27% across all categories. This partnership eased the procurement burden and ensured reliable supply, allowing the centers to concentrate on their main mission: providing quality care.
Ready to Get Started?
Join now or book a no-obligation discovery call to learn how group purchasing can work for your behavioral health or healthcare MSO. Membership is always free and there are never any purchasing requirements or exclusivities.
