Workit Health NJ opened November 2019 in order to treat substance use disorders in the community. Workit Health strives to eliminate boundaries people face when seeking out treatment.
Common barriers people face when seeking treatment are transportation, busy schedules, finances, etc. The online telehealth and counseling help with barriers such as transportation or busy schedules, but as a brand new program experience was necessary to get approved insurance coverage to eliminate financial barriers. However, we are excited to announce that Workit Health NJ is now accepting commercial Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield NJ!
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield NJ insures over 3 million people in New Jersey as its largest health insurer. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield NJ aims to cover its members with treatment providers that give high quality and evidence-based treatment. Horizon BCBS NJ’s Behavioral Health department discussed their standards for substance use treatment following the eight “National Principles of Care ” formed by Shatterproof, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the disease of addiction in the community: “These National Principles of Care bring together two very important goals for Horizon: advancing the evidence-based diagnosis and treatment models with personalized solutions that are delivered in the communities where our members live, work and play,” said Suzanne Kunis, Vice President, Behavioral Health Solutions.
Workit Health met Horizon BCBS NJ standards for high quality and evidenced-based treatment based on these eight principles of care:
1.Routine screenings in every medical setting
Workit clinic members are required to visit our clinic located in Hamilton for screening and assessment prior to joining our program. After the initial in-person clinic visit members have routine follow-up appointments with their medical provider each week or month. Also, the Workit app prompts routine check-ins each week prior to logging into the app to track members’ progress in treatment related to mental health and substance use.
2. A personal plan for every patient
Workit members are able to create their own personal treatment plan by “mapping their mission” which tailors to their specific goals and needs.
3. Fast access to treatment
Workit Health can quickly sign up members for a same week appointment through a screening of collecting their information through the telephone or online. Clinic days for initial in-person visits Tuesdays-Thursdays when the medical provider is on site. Workit Health can start the treatment of 24 people in a given week. In-person clinic visits are about one hour long, and then follow-up appointments are 20 minutes long. Also, members could easily complete drug screenings and get in contact with staff through the app.
4. Long term disease management
Workit Health is a long term outpatient program that gives members time to manage their treatment for up to 1-2 years. Workit Health also provides members a steady tapering schedule plan for those who request it.
5. Coordinated care for every illness
Workit Health provides members referrals to other care providers to aid them in acquiring treatment outside of addiction and mental health such as physicians, hospitals, alternative pain management sources, etc.
6. Behavioral health care from legitimate providers
Workit Health NJ’s coach, Chelsea Chang, is a licensed social worker who graduated with a Master’s of Social Work from Rutgers University. Chelsea specializes in co-occurring mental health and addiction treatment. As Workit Health NJ expands more licensed behavioral health providers will get on board!
7. Medications for addiction treatment
Workit Health provides Suboxone for its opioid use members and Naltrexone for its alcohol use members.
8. Support for recovery outside of the doctor’s office
Workit Health care providers encourage support within the family for members’ recovery. Workit Health also provides referrals for continuation of care post-discharge.
Horizon BCBS NJ also urges its members to ask any treatment and recovery program these eight questions to ensure if they provide high quality care:
1. Do you diagnose and treat all aspects of a person’s health, besides addiction?
As an LSW, Chelsea could diagnose and treat other behavioral health conditions besides addiction under the surveillance of her clinical supervisor Rosalind Ford, LCSW, LCADC. Workit courses through the app also provide self-help in areas outside of addiction like managing physical health, mental health, and life skills.
2. Do you include medicated assisted treatment in your program?
The main medicated assisted treatment Workit offers is Suboxone and Naltrexone. Subutex is also offered to clients who are pregnant.
3. How do you handle relapses?
Workit Health operates under a harm reduction model, so we do not penalize our members for relapse. We understand that in early recovery it is difficult to handle relapse, and oftentimes punishment further stigmatizes and worsens addiction.
4. What is your success rate?
93% of people in the Workit Health program abstain from their drug of choice after three months.
5. Do you have licensed medical professionals on staff?
Our medical provider, Judith Landingin, is a licensed nurse practitioner
6. Are you part of a larger healthcare system?
Workit Health is in the works of partnering with larger healthcare systems like crisis units, hospitals, and thought leadership organizations. Workit Health has met with Oaks Integrated Care, CentraState Medical Center, and the Mercer Organization of Addiction Treatment and Education Services.
7. Do you accept insurance?
Now that we accept commercial Horizon BCBS NJ, we are looking into getting Aetna and Medicaid coverage. Stay tuned!
8. Are you accredited?
Yes, Workit Health is Joint Commission accredited.
We are excited to be meeting these standards so we could now accept Horizon BCBS NJ to better help eliminate addiction and dependency in our communities!
