Services Start on Time, Serving People Through Five Regional
Offices
OptumHealth
Inc. successfully launched its management of mental health and
substance abuse benefits for Medicaid and other publicly funded programs
across New Mexico on time at 12:01 a.m. today.
“We are looking forward to this new partnership in our tireless quest to
improve behavioral health services for New Mexicans,” said Linda
Roebuck, chief executive officer of the New Mexico Behavioral Health
Collaborative. “The Collaborative has worked closely with OptumHealth
over the last six months on a seamless transition for New Mexicans who
rely on behavioral health and substance abuse services.”
Since OptumHealth was awarded the contract six months ago, it has hired
more than 190 people and built a statewide organization called
OptumHealth New Mexico with regional offices in Farmington, Roswell, Las
Cruces, Albuquerque and Santa Fe, and a regional team serving Native
American communities.
“OptumHealth is committed to helping New Mexico’s policymakers improve
the state’s behavioral health system,” said Sandy Forquer, chief
executive officer of OptumHealth New Mexico. “This includes locating
provider relations, information technology specialists, care
coordinators, claims specialists, and peer and family support
specialists in the regional offices to help people receive the
behavioral health care they need as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
As the statewide entity, OptumHealth New Mexico is charged with
administration of all of the combined funds of the New Mexico Behavioral
Health Collaborative. The Collaborative consists of 15 state agencies
and the Governor’s office, working together to improve behavioral health
in New Mexico. These funds meet the behavioral health care needs for
roughly 80,000 New Mexicans.
Consumers or their families with questions can call OptumHealth’s
toll-free consumer line at 866-660-7185, 24 hours a day, seven days a
week; or they can visit www.optumhealthnewmexico.com
for more information.
“With a strong presence in the communities we serve and a focus on
increasing capacity in rural areas, OptumHealth New Mexico will continue
to put consumers and their families on the path to recovery and
resiliency,” Forquer said.
OptumHealth serves more than five million public sector members in 38
states with programs that support recovery, resiliency and wellness for
people facing behavioral health conditions, chronic illness or complex
conditions such as transplants.
About OptumHealth
OptumHealth Inc. helps individuals navigate the health care system,
finance their health care needs and achieve their health and well-being
goals. The company’s personalized health advocacy and engagement
programs tap a unique combination of capabilities that encompass public
sector solutions, care solutions, behavioral solutions, specialty
benefits and financial services. Serving nearly 60 million people,
OptumHealth is one of the nation’s largest health and wellness
businesses, and is a UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) company. More
information about OptumHealth can be found at www.optumhealth.com.
About the Collaborative
The Collaborative was created during the 2004 Legislature to allow most
state agencies and resources involved in behavioral health treatment and
recovery to work as one in an effort to improve mental health and
substance abuse services in New Mexico. This cabinet-level group
represents 15 agencies and Governor Bill Richardson’s office.
OptumHealth New Mexico
Chris Cervini, 505-428-6578
Senior
Director of Communications
chris.cervini@optumhealth.com
