Today Boulder announced an innovative partnership with Trillium Community Health Plan, a Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) company, to serve members with substance use disorders (SUD) in Oregon, marking a significant milestone in advancing value-based payment models for evidence-based behavioral health treatment services.
By leveraging Boulder Care's expertise in telehealth care and Trillium Community Health Plan's extensive network and resources, the partnership aims to improve outcomes for vulnerable populations coping with SUD while reducing the burden on local healthcare systems.
"We are excited to collaborate with Boulder Care to expand access to essential SUD services for our members," stated Jeanne Savage, MD, Trillium’s Chief Medical Officer. "Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals struggling with substance use disorders and contribute to healthier, more resilient communities across the nation."
Through this partnership, Trillium Community Health Plan's members will have access to Boulder Care's comprehensive suite of services, including rapid access to telehealth consultations, medications for addiction treatment, ongoing care management, and peer recovery support. Additional services like Peer Support, Care Navigation and Case Management help patients build a complete recovery program that meet their unique goals. This approach has resulted in better outcomes than treatment as usual, including longer engagement in SUD treatment and improved patient quality of life.
"We recognize the urgent need for effective, accessible SUD treatment options here in Oregon and across the country," said Stephanie Strong, Boulder Care CEO. "Our partnership with Trillium Community Health Plan represents a significant step toward ensuring Oregonians get access to high-quality addiction treatment. By making help available quickly during the urgent moments patients reach out, together, we will save lives.”
At least 50 million Americans had a substance use disorder in 2022 (HHS, SAMHSA). Despite widespread efforts to increase treatment access since the opioid crisis was declared a Public Health Emergency in 2017, the majority of people with opioid use disorder (OUD) in the U.S. do not get treatment.
Low-barrier programs like Boulder are closing this gap, making medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) accessible to patients through telehealth, and delivering long-term treatment and support for chronic conditions.
Value-based payment models are being increasingly adopted nationwide as an alternative to fee-for-service: aiming to reward high-quality, cost-effective care. The value-based agreement between Boulder and Trillium reflects a shared commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care to Trillium Community Health Plan's members, incentivizing outcomes that support shared community health goals.
“Pay for performance” arrangements help hold providers like Boulder accountable for excellent patient outcomes. This approach encourages a holistic continuum of care, and provision of services that are responsive to each individual’s unique needs and goals.
