BIRMINGHAM, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pathway Healthcare, a leading provider of office-based medical and behavioral treatment for drug and alcohol addiction and dependency, announced today that it is now accepting Alabama Medicaid. With five office locations across the state in Birmingham, Daphne, Hamilton, Huntsville and Mobile, Pathway Healthcare is working to increase access to effective addiction treatment for all Alabamians.
In the past two years, Alabama Medicaid provided services to more than one million Alabama residents according to the Alabama Medicaid Agency’s most recent report. Furthermore, 25 percent of the state’s citizens are eligible for Medicaid at least one month of the year.
“Each month, hundreds of thousands of people across Alabama rely on state-run Medicaid for their medical expenses, including addiction treatment and mental health services,” said Scott Olson, CEO of Pathway Healthcare. “At Pathway, we are dedicated to improving access to care for people suffering from substance use disorders. Adjusting our insurance policy to incorporate Alabama Medicaid was crucial for us, and we hope this enables more people to receive the help they need.”
Drug and alcohol addiction is a persistent problem across the country, and Alabama is no exception, with the state currently attempting to combat opioid addiction. In 2017, according to a summary from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there were 422 overdose deaths involving opioids in Alabama. Additionally, Alabama providers wrote 107.2 opioid prescriptions for every 100 persons – the highest prescription rate in the country and almost twofold greater than the average U.S. rate of 58.7 prescriptions.
“The devastating effects of the opioid epidemic are being felt in almost every state, including Alabama,” said Dr. Brent Boyett, Chief Medical Officer of Pathway Healthcare, who is based in Birmingham. “With more than 400 opioid-related deaths reported in Alabama in 2017 alone, it’s imperative that we take action to help curb this nationwide crisis. Too many Alabama residents continue to suffer from substance use disorders simply because they do not have the means to access effective treatment. At Pathway, our goal is to provide care for as many patients as possible, and we believe this change in our insurance policy will help us achieve that.”
Pathway Healthcare has plans to further expand in Alabama this year, with its newest office slated to open in Athens, AL over the summer. The addiction treatment center specializes in treating substance use disorders through a proprietary care model, known as MAT Plus®, which combines medication assisted treatment with behavioral counseling.
About Pathway Healthcare
Pathway Healthcare, LLC is a team of specialists committed to helping patients suffering from drug and alcohol addiction and dependency. Pathway’s proprietary MAT Plus® program combines medication assisted treatment and behavioral counseling in a professional and convenient office based outpatient setting. Learn more at www.pathwayhealthcare.com.