Mountainside Treatment Center Partners with Optum to Expand Addiction Care Access

In a significant development for addiction treatment accessibility, Mountainside Treatment Center has announced its partnership with Optum, becoming an in-network provider effective November 15th. This collaboration extends Mountainside's holistic addiction treatment services to a wider audience, including those insured by United Health Care, Oxford Health Plan, and Connecticare.

The partnership represents a crucial step in addressing the ongoing substance abuse crisis by making high-quality, evidence-based treatment more accessible. Mountainside's comprehensive continuum of care includes detoxification, residential treatment, intensive outpatient programs (IOP), and outpatient services. The center's recent launch of evening and weekend IOP services further accommodates individuals balancing treatment with work or family commitments.

Mountainside's approach to addiction treatment incorporates a range of evidence-based therapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and motivational therapy (MT). The center also offers complementary therapies such as yoga, meditation, and acupuncture, as well as free community resources like weekly support groups and events.

Andre Basso, Chief Executive Officer at Mountainside Treatment Center, emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating, "We are thrilled to partner with Optum Insurance to expand our reach and help more individuals and families in need." This collaboration could potentially reduce financial barriers to treatment for many individuals, leading to improved outcomes in addiction recovery.

The expansion of in-network services by a nationally recognized treatment center like Mountainside, which holds ASAM certification and dual accreditation from CARF International and The Joint Commission, may set a precedent for increased accessibility in addiction care. As substance use disorders continue to affect communities nationwide, partnerships between treatment providers and major insurers could play a crucial role in addressing this public health challenge.

This development underscores the growing recognition of addiction as a treatable condition and the importance of comprehensive, accessible care in achieving long-term recovery. It may also encourage other treatment centers to pursue similar partnerships, potentially leading to a broader shift in how addiction care is accessed and delivered across the United States.