Leading the Way: CareFirst’s Holistic Approach to Behavioral Healthcare and Substance Use Disorder Treatment

By Ashley Johnson, CSC-AD, MSW-C Staying healthy isn’t just about taking care of your physical health. Mental health also plays an important role in our overall well-being.& Recent studies, including the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health released earlier this year, reveal millions of Americans face mental health and subsequent substance use challenges. In addition, alcohol and drug use is one of the leading causes of preventable illness and premature death nationwide. We must take steps to promote mental health, prevent substance misuse and provide treatment and support to foster recovery through a holistic, public health approach that ensures everyone can receive accessible, affordable and equitable behavioral healthcare. Waiving Costs, Focusing on Care Recovery from substance misuse involves personalized treatment in an appropriate care setting. From one-on-one counseling to intensive outpatient treatment to inpatient residential services, recovery support can be expensive, and the financial burden often deters people from seeking the care they need. Removing that financial barrier is a crucial step to ensure people connect to appropriate and timely support, and healthcare payers can take a leading role in dismantling this barrier. Healthcare company CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) has emerged as a trailblazer in this regard, implementing...