Addiction treatment services are now more accessible to qualifying county residents since Partnership HealthPlan of California launched its Wellness and Recovery program earlier this summer.
Partnership is a non-profit, community-based health care organization that administers Medi-Cal benefits through local care providers in 14 northern California counties, serving more than 500,000 individuals.
Also known as the Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS), the program makes it possible for Medi-Cal recipients seeking substance use treatment to be connected to services including withdrawal management, case management, outpatient and intensive outpatient counseling and medication, and residential care. Aftercare to help maintain recovery is also available.
Emi Botzler-Rodgers, Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) Behavioral Health director said, “When someone is ready to seek help for their addiction, it is important that they are able to obtain the necessary services in a timely manner. Any time spent waiting to qualify for services creates a barrier and can cause people to change their mind and keep using. When someone is ready to enter recovery, it is important to seize the moment.”
She added, “The rollout of the DMC-ODS allows us to better serve our community providing more timely access to care and creating a more robust continuum of care, so individuals can get the level of treatment they need at the time that they need it.”
To start the process, a Medi-Cal recipient who is seeking addiction treatment for substance use addiction including, but not limited to, addiction to alcohol, opiates and/or methamphetamine, can call Beacon Health Options where they will be screened over the phone and connected to care locally.
Partnership CEO Liz Gibboney said prior to launching the Wellness and Recovery program, accessing this level of care could be difficult. Now, Medi-Cal recipients can call just one number.
“Partnership is delighted to be able to provide this new service to Humboldt County residents,” she said. “We know that substance use services are a critical piece of the health care system and the health of our overall community and encourage anyone struggling with substance use to reach out. We look forward to continuing to work with the Humboldt community to help address addiction and other health issues.”
If you are currently enrolled in Medi-Cal and are seeking addiction treatment, call Beacon Health Options at 855-765-9703 to be screened for services. If you would like to find out if you qualify for Medi-Cal, call the DHHS Call Center at 1-877-410-8809.
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