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Health Share Announces New Tri-County Opioid Treatment Model

Health Share of Oregon, CODA, Inc. and Central City Concern partner to help break down barriers for individuals seeking treatment for substance use disorders.
November 2, 2016

(Portland, OR) – Across the country, millions of people suffer from opioid addiction. In Oregon alone, an estimated 120,000 Oregonians suffer from opioid addiction, and last year, opioid overdose killed an average of three people in the Tri-County area every week.

As a local and national epidemic, more resources are needed to help individuals access rehabilitation and treatment services. And despite the passage of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act by Congress earlier this summer, the Act did not include funding as Oregon Senator Ron Wyden fought to include.

That’s why Health Share of Oregon is providing $1.6 million to support the development of a new network of care throughout the Tri-County area. “This network of care is a first for our community,” said Alison Noice, Deputy Director for CODA, Inc., Oregon’s oldest opioid addiction treatment program. “It means reaching more people where they live and work, while still tailoring treatment to an individual’s needs.”

The new treatment network will break down barriers to care by expanding capacity within existing provider networks and ensuring they have the technical resources and clinical guidance they need to help individuals seeking treatment for substance use disorders.

CODA, Inc., along with Central City Concern (CCC), a non-profit agency serving adults and families impacted by homelessness, poverty and addiction, will function as the hub for the network, providing assistance to participating providers and clinics. Working in partnership, CODA and CCC will seek a variety of substance use disorder service providers to participate, including primary care clinics, recovery housing, and peer-driven supports to further expand the network of care.

“Only 1 in 10 people who needs treatment for addiction gets it, and Central City Concern is looking forward to our partnership with CODA, Health Share and community providers to build accessible and responsive pathways of care for addiction treatment,” said Rachel Solotaroff, MD, Medical Director for CCC.

Dr. Maggie Bennington-Davis, Chief Medical Officer for Health Share agreed, stating “This initiative is unprecedented in many ways. When providers support and collaborate with other providers, that’s a win-winwin, for people needing access, for the system of care as a whole, and for better health outcomes.”

The $1.6 million in funding is part of the quality incentive payments Health Share earned by exceeding requirements set by the state for improving quality and access to care, reducing health disparities and curbing the rising cost of health care.

About Health Share of Oregon

Health Share of Oregon is the state’s largest Medicaid coordinated care organization (CCO), serving more than 240,000 Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members in Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties. Our mission is to partner with communities to achieve ongoing transformation, health equity, and the best possible health for each individual.

Health Share was founded and continues to be governed by eleven health care organizations serving OHP members: Adventist Health, CareOregon, Central City Concern, Clackamas County, Kaiser Permanente, Legacy Health, Multnomah County, Oregon Health & Science University, Providence Health & Services, Tuality Health Alliance and Washington County.

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