Caron Treatment Centers Expands Access to Addiction Treatment for Adults and Teens with New Teen Program and Increased Insurance Options

New Substance Use Disorder Residential Program for Teens Ages 16-17 Now Available Caron Is In-Network with Optum (United Healthcare) Effective July 22

WERNERSVILLE, Pa., July 17, 2024 — Caron Treatment Centers, a leading, internationally recognized nonprofit dedicated to transforming lives through addiction and behavioral healthcare treatment, research, prevention, and addiction medicine education, today announced it is expanding access to substance use disorder treatment at its Pennsylvania campus through a new residential treatment program for teens struggling with a substance use or a co-occurring disorder and a new in-network agreement with Optum (United Healthcare), a member of United Health Group. This agreement with the nation’s largest health insurer expands the circle of insurance providers committed to recovery with whom Caron has in-network agreements.

“As a mission-driven organization, we strive to help as many individuals as possible who struggle with addiction - and their families - thrive in recovery,” said John Driscoll, CEO of Caron Treatment Centers. “However, access to quality addiction treatment remains a barrier for many, which is why we’re committed to expanding access to treatment and recovery services across our continuum. We’re excited to now make our services available to Optum/United Healthcare members and add much-needed service lines such as our new Teen Program.”

The contract with Optum/United Healthcare goes into effect on July 22 and includes variable lengths of stay for residential inpatient treatment, also called Medically Managed Residential and Clinically Managed High Intensity Residential, for adults and adolescents at Caron’s Wernersville, Pennsylvania campus. It also will cover Clinically Managed High Intensity Outpatient, also referred to as Partial Hospitalization Programming, for adults. In addition to Optum/United Healthcare, Caron is also an in-network provider with Aetna, Highmark, and the Blue Card program, Independence Blue Cross, AmeriHealth Administrators, Independence Administrators, UPMC, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Employer Groups of Penn Medicine and Tower Health.

“Given the significant lack of treatment programs available for teens struggling with substance use disorder who need a residential level of care, bringing back a teen program for those aged 16 and over to our Wernersville campus has been a goal for us,” explained Kate Appleman, MA, MBA, LPC, CAADC, CSAT, CCS, Executive Vice President of Clinical Programming for Caron Wernersville. “More than two million teens meet the criteria for a substance use or co-occurring disorder. While we have helped thousands of these families through our student assistance programs, our parent support groups and our outpatient centers, we’re excited to now offer an insurance-friendly, residential Teen Program that builds on Caron’s philosophy of patient-centric care that includes a focus on the family, which research shows improves long-term outcomes.”

Specifically designed for teens ages 16 and 17, Caron’s Teen Program treats substance use disorder and co-occurring conditions and behaviors, such as anger, interpersonal conflict and peer relationship challenges, family conflict, self-esteem, self-injurious behaviors and mood disorders. The program builds on Caron’s prior experience treating teens, brain-development science and addiction medicine. Programming includes gender-affirming care and consists of gender-separate and specific programming while offering some co-ed programming and activities to help patients develop skills to have respectful, safe and age-appropriate relationships.

“We’re fighting a treatable brain disease that, when left untreated, can be deadly,” said Driscoll. “We’re excited that the timing of our new Optum contract and the opening of the Teen Program means that we can provide care that transforms the lives of even more families.”

Caron Treatment Centers

Caron Treatment Centers is an internationally recognized nonprofit dedicated to transforming lives through addiction and behavioral healthcare treatment, research, prevention and addiction medicine education. During its almost 70 years, Caron has helped thousands of individuals struggling with behavioral health issues, including substance use disorder, begin to manage these brain diseases and find hope. Anchored by two medical centers on its Pennsylvania and Florida campuses and headquartered in Wernersville, Pennsylvania, Caron provides a comprehensive continuum of care for teens through adults including medical stabilization and detoxification, residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient programs, as well as Recovery support, family and alumni services. Caron also provides concierge signature treatment for executives, healthcare professionals and older adults and offers Neurorestorative Health Care at its Keele Medical Center in Palm Beach County, Florida. In addition to our Pennsylvania and Florida campuses, Caron provides services in Wyomissing, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and New York City. Caron accepts several major insurance plans and provides financial assistance for those who qualify. For more information, please visit caron.org or @CaronTreatment.

Media Contacts:

Kristin Campbell-Salamone
Corporate Director of PR & Communications, Caron Treatment Centers
kcampbell-salamone@caron.org
215-292-5526

Katie Kennedy
Senior Vice President, Gregory FCA
caron@gregoryfca.com
610-731-104