CKF Addiction Treatment has announced that it has signed on with Kansas Medicaid managed care organizations – Aetna Better Health of Kansas, Sunflower Health Plan, and UnitedHealthcare – to pilot a new telehealth treatment model.
This model will create a partnership with primary care providers across the state of Kansas.
CKF created this program to enhance identification and engagement of patients with the chronic disease of addiction. It optimizes touch points within health care and connects treatment options to patients with this chronic disease.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on Kansans’ struggles to access addiction treatment,” said Shane Hudson, CKF president and CEO. “CKF is uniquely positioned to fill a critical need for those who need treatment options.”
Using this program, CKF will help our partner sites to set up screening and referral to treatment protocols within their facilities. These actions will help identify patients who may need addiction health care services.
Once identified, CKF Addiction Treatment will be able to integrate within the workflow of our partner sites through video conferencing software. This will allow CKF to assess and provide telehealth treatment options to patients from the comfort of the patients’ own homes.
“It’s imperative that access to addiction treatment is available when our members are ready to seek it,” said Dr. William Warnes, Sunflower medical director. “We’re pleased to support CKF’s program and confident that it will make a difference for our members and other Kansans who are looking for recovery and improved health.”
Patients who need addiction health care also will be able to access all outpatient services remotely.
Facilitated by both licensed counselors and certified peer mentors, this model is an efficient and effective way to provide quality addiction treatment across the state.
“We understand that rising rates of loneliness and social isolation take a toll on the health and wellbeing of our members, especially those who are most at-risk,” said Dr. Muna Enshiwat, chief medical officer, Aetna Better Health of Kansas. “This collaboration with CKF is timely and further strengthens our member-centered model of care.”
In addition to access and engagement, this model also provides a follow-up component that addiction health care has been lacking. Utilizing peer mentors, CKF will provide ongoing and structured services following completion of primary treatment. The peer mentors assist patients with long-term recovery and health goals, and work to establish each patient with a primary care provider for long-term management of this disease.
This model of care creates care pathways to address current gaps in care, assists medical providers in the process, and the program is designed to improve the overall health outcomes of patients with addiction.