NorthStar Behavioral Health Advisory is a U.S.-based behavioral health consulting firm that supports providers, coalitions, health systems, and community partners working to prevent, treat, and respond to mental health and substance use conditions. We operate at the intersection of clinical practice, payer strategy, data and technology, and lived experience in recovery. By combining these four perspectives, we help organizations redesign services, navigate Medicaid and other payer requirements, and build revenue strategies that are both sustainable and mission-aligned.
Clinical practice
Payer strategy
Data and technology
Lived experience
FAQ:
What is NorthStar Behavioral Health Advisory?
NorthStar Behavioral Health Advisory is a consulting firm that helps behavioral health and recovery-focused organizations improve how they deliver and finance care. We combine clinical experience, payer expertise, data and technology, and lived recovery experience to guide organizations through complex policy and payment environments.
What services does NorthStar Behavioral Health Advisory provide?
NorthStar provides strategic advisory services in four core areas: operations design, payer strategy, data insights, and lived experience integration. That includes optimizing clinical workflows, strengthening Medicaid and commercial payer contracts, making data actionable, and designing services that center equity, dignity, and the voice of people with lived experience.
Who does NorthStar Behavioral Health Advisory work with?
We work with behavioral health providers, health systems, recovery community organizations, coalitions, payers, foundations, and higher education partners. Many of our clients serve rural, frontier, and historically underserved communities and are navigating shifts in Medicaid, ACA subsidies, and philanthropic funding.
Where does NorthStar Behavioral Health Advisory work?
NorthStar primarily works with organizations across the United States, with deep experience in rural communities and Medicaid-heavy markets. We support both state-specific initiatives and multi-state organizations adapting to changing policy, payment, and workforce realities.
Who We Help
We partner with organizations that sit at the front lines of behavioral health and recovery, including:
Community-based behavioral health and SUD providers
Recovery community organizations and coalitions
Integrated primary care and behavioral health clinics
Colleges, universities, and campus-based recovery initiatives
Hospital and health system behavioral health service lines
State and local agencies, payers, and philanthropic partners focused on behavioral health
At the core, NorthStar Behavioral Health Advisory is a consulting firm that helps behavioral health organizations improve operations, payer strategy, and data use so they can deliver high-quality, sustainable care.
We bring clinical insight into operational strategy
What does this include?
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Optimization of clinical workflows:
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It can be challenging to navigate this process. We'll bring a fresh perspective rooted in 30+ years of clinical experience.
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This also includes a thoughtful review of care models, and organizational structures based on a comprehensive understanding of the behavioral health continuum of care, and quality service delivery.
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Additionally, we'll work with your organization to define where there may be service gaps in your community, and help you define how your organization and fill those gaps in a way that highlights your strengths and value-add.
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We bridge provider perspectives with payer realities
What does this mean?
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As a first step, taking a look at existing payer contracts and where there may be room for improvement can be particularly helpful.
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This can lead to the development of new contracts with existing payers, and set the stage for payment innovation approaches such as value-based reimbursement and pay for performance methodologies. This will help to improve your ability to manage your patient population in a way that allows for flexibility and increased autonomy with how you manage your patients.
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These relationships take time to develop, and having a trusted guide to provide assistance can be of significant value.
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What questions will you ask? - We can help to frame these questions with you.
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How will you develop an understanding of what is mutually beneficial to your organization and to the health plans that are trusting you to provide quality services to their members? - We will work with you to define this.
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What does success look like? - We will work diligently with your organization to paint this picture.
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We will help you turn data into decisions, not just reports
What does this mean?
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Interpreting analytics that inform program performance can be a daunting task.
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We can help sort these data insights out, with the intent to drive actionable decisions to help your organization maximize its full potential.
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For instance, is your organization maximizing its reimbursement potential through submitted claims?
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Does your organization have a strategic direction with respect to scaling of services and the potential for expansion?
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Are you achieving the quality measures that are important to your organizations integrity and reputation?
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We can work through these types of questions together.
We will help you elevate the voice of lived experience in system design
What does this mean?
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When patient/member experience is prioritized, it will strengthen your reputation, improve quality outcomes, and help align your services to a mission rooted in improving the overall health and well being of the communities that you serve.
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For instance, equity-focused frameworks, and interventions shaped by both clinical and lived insights will enhance your organizations ability to accomplish its mission.
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We will work with you to identify ways in which your organization can accomplish this through strategic hires, system re-design, and alignment with diverse forms of revenue which support these approaches.
The Benefits of Working with NorthStar
Decisions Grounded in Clinical Reality
You receive guidance that reflects how care is actually delivered not just how it is designed on paper.
Payer-Savvy Strategy Without the Guesswork
You benefit from deep, inside-the-system experience with Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, and commercial payers.
Thoughtful data interpretation which lead to actionable insights, quality improvement and enhanced ability to engage in payer negotiation.
Data That Drives Action, Not Just Reports
Systems Designed with Human Experience at the Center
Lived recovery experience ensures that equity, dignity, and access are not afterthoughts — they are built into system design.
Integration Across Silos
Rather than addressing clinical, financial, data, and equity challenges separately, NorthStar integrates them into a single strategic framework.
We look forward to working with you!
Please fill out the form below to contact us
CLIENTS INCLUDE
Events:
April 6-9, 2026 - Nashville, TN
This is an incredible opportunity to connect with others who are addressing opioid related overdose deaths and substance use disorder through advocacy, prevention and treatment. Eric Bailly from NorthStar Behavioral Health Advisory will be moderating several sessions during the event.
2026 Inaugural Behavioral Health AI Summit
April 6-9, 2026 - Nashville, TN
How can behavioral health executives leverage AI in strategic and thoughtful way? Join hundreds of other behavioral health executives as they hear from national AI experts who will share their experiences and lessons learned. Eric Bailly from NorthStar Behavioral Health Advisory will be moderating several sessions during the event.
2026 National Council for Mental Wellbeing NatCon
April 27-29, 2026 - Denver, CO
Join 5000+ attendees, 500+ speakers, and 200+ vendors from around the country who are committed to innovation and action in behavioral health. Eric Bailly from NorthStar Behavioral Health Advisory will be moderating a session pertaining to value based reimbursement for substance use disorder treatment.
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