Behavioral Health Patients Drive Nearly 57% of Health Care Costs — Yet Little Spent on Behavioral Treatment

Patients with behavioral health conditions in addition to physical ones drive nearly 57% of all health care spending; however, very little of that money goes toward treating behavioral conditions. That’s according to a new report from Milliman commissioned by The Path Forward for Mental Health and Substance Use. The study was funded by the Mental […]

American Psychological Association Urges States, Insurers to Remove Telehealth Roadblocks During COVID-19 Crisis

The American Psychological Association (APA) is asking states and insurers to temporarily remove roadblocks that make it harder for mental health providers to offer telehealth services. Doing so is especially important in light of COVID-19, the APA says. “This is an extraordinary public health crisis with vast and unpredictable implications for the nation’s mental health,” […]

Lyra Health Helps Providers Improve, Capitalize On Employee Mental Health Benefits

While more and more employers are offering mental health benefits, that doesn’t always translate into opportunities for traditional behavioral health providers. Many companies opt to provide the benefits through app-based solutions that specialize in remote coaching and stress-reduction, with trendy startups like Headspace and Ginger winning business from corporate giants such as Starbucks (Nasdaq: SBUX), […]

SUD Care Optimization Platform axialHealthcare Raises $15M

A care optimization platform that helps patients, providers and health plans navigate substance use disorder (SUD) has raised $15 million in Series C funding. The money will be used to accelerate axialHealthcare’s expansion into the SUD treatment and recovery sector, according to a press release announcing the news. Oak HC/FT, .406 Ventures, BlueCross BlueShield Venture […]

Anthem Completes Acquisition of Beacon Health Options

Anthem (NYSE: ANTM) has completed its acquisition of Beacon Health Options. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Prior to the deal, Boston-based Beacon billed itself as the largest independently held behavioral health organization in the country, serving more than 36 million people nationwide. Meanwhile, Indianapolis-based Anthem — which first announced it would buy […]

Providers Beware: Behavioral Health Fraud Investigations, Recoveries on the Rise

Most behavioral health providers agree it’s a good thing: The federal government continues to funnel more money into behavioral health initiatives, such as fighting the opioid epidemic and funding certified community behavioral health clinics (CCBHC). But as providers find themselves with more federal dollars, they’re also more likely to face increased scrutiny over their practices, […]

Co-Founder of Addiction Center Pleads Guilty for Role in $100M Fraud Scheme

The co-founder of a Pennsylvania addiction rehab center has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud for his role in an “elaborate” insurance scheme, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The scheme fraudulently billed insurers for more than $100 million, local newspaper The Intelligencer reported. Defendant Branden Coluccio entered the plea […]

Digital Substance Abuse Treatment Startups Captivate Investors, Payers

In America today, the need for more substance use disorder (SUD) interventions is clear. In 2017, more than 70,000 people died from drug overdoses, and the alcohol-related death rate was twice what it was 20 years earlier. Those statistics don’t include nearly 20 million others who did not die but still battled SUD that year. […]

Newly Introduced Bills Aim to Improve, Expand Behavioral Health Insurance Coverage

Lawmakers in one state have introduced two new bills designed to improve and expand insurance coverage for behavioral health services. The legislation was proposed Tuesday in California, a state that frequently sets legislative trends known to catch on nationwide. The bills in question — Senate Bill 854 and Senate Bill 855 — target private insurance […]

NABH’s New CEO Tackles Lofty Goals in Year, Decade Ahead

The National Association for Behavioral Healthcare (NABH) is kicking off the new decade with a new leader. Shawn Coughlin took over as president and CEO of the trade association Jan. 1, following the retirement of the organization’s long-time leader Mark Covall, who headed up NABH for the past 24 years. With Coughlin at the helm, […]