Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield launched a pilot program that integrates mental and physical care in the treatment of Crohn's disease, NJ Spotlight reports.
Horizon has launched a dozen Episodes of Care programs in the last year to better coordinate treatment for a variety of health conditions, from pregnancy to prostate cancer. The Crohn's disease program marks Horizon's first Episodes of Care plan that explicitly treats mental health.
Crohn's disease is a chronic and incurable condition that causes inflammation of the digestive tract.
Horizon partnered with DigestiveHealthCareCenter for gastro-intestinal expertise and Beacon Health Options for behavioral health services. The pilot includes 50 patient participants.
Horizon spokesperson Tom Vincz said the insurer hopes to use the Crohn's program as a model for mental and physical healthcare integration.
"This Episode of Care will probably be a defining factor in value-based care going forward," Mr. Vincz told NJ Spotlight.