Carrum Health Expands Substance Use Disorder Treatment to Include Cannabis and Stimulants
Table of Contents
nearly one in six working adults in the U.S. struggles with a substance use disorder, and a meaningful portion – almost 10% of employees – are battling cannabis or stimulant addiction. Recognizing this growing need, Carrum Health announced Wednesday an expansion of its substance use disorder treatment program to encompass cannabis, sedatives, and stimulants, building upon its existing coverage for opioids and alcohol.
Carrum Health provides a value-based specialty care solution, connecting self-insured employers with Centers of Excellence for extensive treatment. The company’s approach centers on delivering care based on measurable outcomes, rather than customary fee-for-service models.
A holistic Approach to Addiction Treatment
Carrum’s expanded support for cannabis, sedatives, and stimulants mirrors its established framework for opioid and alcohol use. Individuals seeking assistance begin with an assessment conducted by a licensed counselor,who then facilitates connections to appropriate care providers. Treatment options range from inpatient detoxification and residential programs to intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization services. Carrum’s network includes leading providers such as Hazelden Betty Ford, Recovery Centers of America, and The Meadows Behavioral Healthcare.
A key element of Carrum’s model is its value-based arrangements with providers. These agreements prioritize patient outcomes – such as sustained sobriety or reduced substance use – as the basis for payment. “It’s usually the high-quality providers that are willing to say, ‘Yes, I’m willing to take a different payment model,'” a senior official stated. “They don’t want to be constrained by short-term cost-cutting measures and are willing to accept risk in exchange for the ability to deliver truly effective care.”
The official further emphasized the accountability inherent in this system: “If a patient has to come back for treatment because it didn’t quite work out, most of this is on you.” This commitment to long-term success, they believe, is crucial for lasting recovery.
Responding to Client demand and Evolving Trends
Carrum Health initially focused on alcohol and opioid use disorders, as these substances historically represent the largest proportion of cases. however,the company responded to direct requests from its clients to broaden its coverage. “We want to serve all patients that come to us with a substance use problem,” explained Christoph Dankert, Carrum Health’s chief network officer. “It was realy painful for us when we had patients finally decide to come forward and say, ‘I have a cannabis issue,’ and we couldn’t help them.”
This expansion arrives at a critical juncture, coinciding with a 35% increase in THC potency since cannabis legalization and a 20% year-over-year surge in stimulant prescriptions. Simultaneously, the dangers associated with cocaine and methamphetamine use are escalating due to the increasing prevalence of fentanyl contamination.
measuring Success and Expanding Reach
Carrum Health will closely monitor several key metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of its expanded program. These include the number of patients seeking support, the specific substances involved, the speed of treatment initiation, and ultimately, the success rates of those treatments.
The company’s ultimate goal, according to Dankert, is to provide support for “any patient that comes in the door with a substance use problem.” Looking ahead, Carrum plans to focus on proactively reaching individuals who may be hesitant to seek help, emphasizing education and awareness of available benefits.
Carrum Health has also experienced significant growth in its overall reach, recently doubling the number of covered lives on its platform to 6.7 million – an increase of 3.6 million people in the past year. Other companies operating in the specialty care space include Lantern and Transcarent.
.
– Nearly 1 in 6 U.S. working adults experience a substance use disorder.
– Value-based care prioritizes patient outcomes over traditional fee-for-service models.
– Carrum Health expanded coverage due to client requests for support with cannabis use.
