Molina Healthcare of Ohio Supports Behavioral Health and Substance Disorder Programs Locally

COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 29, 2020 – Molina Healthcare of Ohio (“Molina”) is committed to addressing the increased need for mental health and substance use disorder services across Ohio – especially as Ohioans combat the various effects of COVID-19, including isolation. In addition to directly connecting members with coordinated physical and mental health and substance use disorder services, Molina is partnering with community-based organizations that provide essential resources to individuals in crisis.

“Molina understands the devastating health outcomes that can result when essential behavioral health needs are not addressed,” said Ami Cole, plan president of Molina Healthcare of Ohio. “Especially during Mental Health Awareness Month, Molina wants to break the stigma often associated with behavioral health issues and increase resources designed to support those in need.”

Behavioral health and substance use disorders often have an increased impact on underserved communities that lack employment opportunities, educational resources, housing resources, and an adequate social safety net. Through Molina’s efforts and partnerships with community organizations, more Ohioans will have access to the services they need.

Molina’s community partners supported by the 2020 Molina Community Innovation Fund include:

• Ohio Children’s Alliance, which is establishing a statewide tele-mental health platform to support 35 community mental health agencies in every region of Ohio to improve access to mental health care to over 75,000 children per year;
• Huckleberry House, which provides crisis housing and behavioral health counseling for youth and families in Franklin County and 16 contiguous counties in central Ohio;
• Project Echo, which serves as a learning collaborative for primary care providers in Ohio to acquire skills to manage kids with behavioral health conditions in their office setting;
• Primary Health Solutions, a community health center, which is increasing access to behavioral health services for children and families through an expansion of its school-based healthcare program, which will offer a fully-integrated service delivery model;
• Make-A-Day Foundation, which is providing nutritious meals to community members experiencing homelessness or financial distress, with the goal of serving 20,000 meals as part of its Doing Better Together Campaign; and
• Community Shelter Board, which works with Molina housing specialists and care managers to rapidly rehouse community members in need and connect them with critical health care services, including behavioral health.

Molina has also launched its Pain Safety Initiative, which is designed to decrease the use of opioid medications, identify risky opioid regimens, and streamline access to medication-assisted treatment for addiction and naloxone for emergency overdose reversal. This program includes a series of informational videos to support Molina’s provider partners committed to serving individuals overcoming addiction.

About Molina Healthcare of Ohio
Since 2005, Molina Healthcare of Ohio has been providing government-funded, quality health care to low-income individuals. As of March 31, 2020, the Company serves approximately 300,000 members through Medicaid, Medicare, Medicare-Medicaid (Duals) and Health Insurance Exchange programs across the state.