Molina Healthcare Invests $1.25 Million to Improve Health Outcomes of Ohioans Struggling with Behavioral Health and Substance Use Disorders

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 26, 2024 – Molina Healthcare of Ohio (“Molina”) announced an investment of $1.25 million to improve the health outcomes of members struggling with mental illness, substance use disorders and chronic conditions. The funding will accelerate the implementation of an integrated system of care model, led by the Ohio Behavioral Healthcare Provider Network (“OBHPN”), to connect multiple providers, hospitals, and social care organizations that will share data and best practices that improve health outcomes. Molina’s financial commitment will also enable OBHPN to hire and train community health workers that will directly engage with members and providers to ensure efficiency and continuity of care.

Due to the growing number of Ohioans in need of this support, OBHPN recently entered a partnership with Alera Health (“Alera”) to convert OBHPN into a clinically integrated ONEcareTM network. Alera will equip OBPHN with population health expertise, technologies, and informatics support. Its analytics platform uses patient information to identify risk factors, gaps in care, and trends that allow ONEcare providers to anticipate and avoid a patient crisis. Molina’s financial commitment will significantly accelerate data aggregation, technology optimization, practice transformation, and other processes needed to implement the model.

“Molina is excited to be the first Medicaid managed care organization in Ohio to leverage OBHPN’s clinically-integrated network to improve outcomes for our members experiencing behavioral health struggles,” said Ami Cole, plan president for Molina Healthcare of Ohio. “Through this partnership, Molina members will benefit from a holistic approach that ensures their social, physical, and behavioral health needs are addressed cohesively.”

The prevalence of anxiety, depression, and drug overdose deaths in Ohio is higher than the national average. Overdose deaths increased from 17.7 per 100,000 in 2011 to 48.1 just 10 years later. Data shows that 25% of people with major depressive disorders also have a substance use disorder. Approximately 40% of people with a chronic health condition have a co-occurring behavioral health disorder highlighting the need for timely and coordinated care to manage primary and secondary behavioral health issues.

Molina is also supporting the recruitment, hiring, and training of OBPHN’s community health workers and peers who will conduct a higher level of outreach to hard-to-engage members. Community health workers will serve as liaisons between members and the health care system, assisting with medical appointments, connections to social services to remove barriers to health care, transitions from inpatient to community care settings, and health information and education.

“It is crucial for patients struggling with behavioral health and substance use disorders to obtain care through an integrated approach to accommodate the multiple challenges that require attention. Through this effort, we aim to build a community of care across the spectrum of providers to enhance overall health,” said Eric Morse, chief executive officer for The Centers and chair of OBPHN. “We are grateful for Molina’s substantial commitment to this approach and for partnering with us to improve the lives of fellow Ohioans.”

Improving efficiency and efficacy of care will reduce the number of unneeded exams and clinical visits, particularly to emergency rooms where costs are significantly higher. With this foundation, Molina and OBHPN have committed to a performance-based contract beginning in 2025 that incentivizes OBHPN for improving health outcomes and lowering costs.

Molina’s commitment to improving access to behavioral health care aligns with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s investment in mental health and addiction crisis services. In 2023, DeWine announced $90 million in federal funds will be used to establish behavioral health urgent care clinics, mobile crises services teams, and technology upgrades to support these efforts.

About Molina Healthcare of Ohio  
Molina Healthcare of Ohio has been providing government-funded, quality health care since 2005. The Company serves members through Medicaid, Medicare, Medicare-Medicaid (Duals) and Health Insurance Exchange programs throughout Ohio. Through its locally operated health plans, Molina Healthcare, Inc., a Fortune 500 company, provides managed health care services under the Medicaid and Medicare programs, and through state insurance marketplaces. For more information about Molina Healthcare of Ohio, visit MolinaHealthcare.com.

About Ohio Behavioral Health Providers Network (OBHPN)
With over 25 CCBHCs, FQHCs, and other provider organizations in its network, OBHPN provides quality-driven integrated health services to more than 225,000 Ohioans of all ages statewide. OBHPN network providers have a long-standing historical presence in 66 Ohio counties. OBHPN network providers provide services to greater than half of the state’s population of persons with severe and persistent mental illness as well as acting as the safety net for people who suffer from co-morbid behavioral health and medical conditions. OBHPN provides a full continuum of mental health, substance use disorder, physical health, and social care services in a variety of outpatient, crisis, residential, and inpatient settings. Ohioans in need of behavioral health and/or medical care can expect compassionate, timely, and coordinated access to the highest quality evidence-based care from OBHPN. Learn more at www.obhpnetwork.com.

About Alera Health 
Alera Health, a national leader in population health management and integrated care, works closely with healthcare payers, providers, and community partners to operationalize and manage high-performance ONEcare networks delivering comprehensive, inclusive, and informed whole-person care designed to improve health outcomes and reduce costs. Alera Health has extensive operational expertise in developing clinically integrated networks, population health analytics, care coordination technologies, and clinical quality improvement programs. Each ONEcare network is augmented by the Care Optimization Suite which allows real-time communication, referrals, and mobile patient engagement. With over three million managed lives across the US, ONEcare networks share resources and evidenced-based practice to divert over 250,000 unnecessary inpatient bed days annually while lowering 30-day readmission rates by over 50%. Learn more at www.alerahealth.com.

Source: Molina Healthcare.com