In recent years, substance use disorder (SUD) claims have seen a concerning rise, significantly impacting both individuals and employers. For many businesses, this increasing prevalence of substance use issues among employees has highlighted the need for more accessible and effective care options. To address this issue, Substance Use Disorder Treatment Partnerships are becoming increasingly important. New York-based Spring Health has taken a significant step forward through its partnership with Eleanor Health. This collaboration represents a critical effort to provide specialized, evidence-based care to individuals struggling with SUDs, helping to bridge gaps in treatment access and quality.
Spring Health, which launched its substance use disorder program in 2021, has been consistently expanding its range of services to meet the needs of its diverse patient base. The company’s latest partnership with Eleanor Health underscores its commitment to offering tailored, comprehensive treatment options for individuals dealing with addiction. This collaboration brings together two prominent providers in the behavioral health space, combining their expertise and resources to offer specialized outpatient addiction treatment and mental health services in a variety of formats, including in-person, virtual, and hybrid settings.
A Vision for Comprehensive and Specialized Care
The Spring Health-Eleanor Health partnership is designed to fill a critical gap in the behavioral health landscape. Many individuals with significant substance use disorders often find themselves navigating a fragmented healthcare system, where they may receive inconsistent care or face difficulties in accessing the full spectrum of treatment they need. Mill Brown, Chief Medical Officer at Spring Health, noted that Eleanor Health “fits a niche in an outpatient setting where people have a lot of needs.” He explained that this partnership aims to address the complex needs of individuals with severe substance use disorders, particularly those who have been “bouncing around the medical system” without receiving comprehensive care.
This partnership is particularly significant because it brings together Spring Health’s expansive network and digital-first approach to care with Eleanor Health’s expertise in evidence-based outpatient addiction treatment. Spring Health’s approach to care emphasizes both in-person and virtual therapy, medication management, and 24/7 crisis support, ensuring that patients have the resources they need, no matter where they are on their journey to recovery. This flexibility is critical in today’s healthcare environment, where patients require adaptable care options to suit their individual needs.
Expanding Access to Care: The Role of Highmark Health
In addition to its partnership with Eleanor Health, Spring Health has recently expanded its services through a collaboration with Highmark Health, a Pittsburgh-based insurance provider. This partnership allows Highmark members across four states—Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia—to access Spring Health’s comprehensive suite of services. Members can now benefit from in-person and virtual therapy, medication management, and round-the-clock crisis support, as well as increased access to behavioral health facilities. Through this partnership, Highmark Health members will see a 40% increase in access to these vital services.
This expansion is part of Spring Health’s broader vision to improve access to behavioral health care for individuals in need. The partnership with Highmark Health is an example of how Spring Health is using strategic partnerships to broaden its reach, making it easier for people to access care when and where they need it. By working with health plans and insurance providers, Spring Health is able to leverage its extensive service offerings to reach more individuals struggling with substance use and mental health disorders.
Addressing the Urgency of the Addiction Crisis
The need for expanded access to addiction treatment services is more pressing than ever before. In 2021, the United States reached an alarming milestone, with overdose deaths exceeding 98,000—an all-time high. These staggering numbers underscore the urgency of addressing substance use disorders and improving the availability of effective treatment options. Both Spring Health and Eleanor Health share a deep commitment to addressing the addiction crisis and increasing access to care.
Nzinga Harrison, co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of Eleanor Health, emphasized the urgency of this work: “Both Spring and Eleanor feel the urgency to serve our communities by increasing access to evidence-based care that can begin to turn the tide on these devastating statistics.” The partnership between Spring Health and Eleanor Health is a direct response to the need for better access to treatment and care, as both organizations seek to provide services that can help individuals reclaim their lives and recover from addiction.
The opioid crisis and other forms of substance abuse have had a devastating impact on communities across the country, and the rise in overdose deaths is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in addressing addiction. By working together, Spring Health and Eleanor Health aim to reverse these trends by offering evidence-based treatments that have been proven to help individuals recover and improve their quality of life.
A Strong Track Record of Growth and Investment
Both Spring Health and Eleanor Health have garnered significant investor attention, allowing them to expand their offerings and reach more people in need of care. Spring Health, which initially began as a business-to-business behavioral health organization, has grown rapidly and now serves over 4,500 clients, including major companies such as Microsoft, The Hershey Company, JB Hunt, Bumble, and Fujifilm. The company’s recent $71 million funding round brought its valuation to $2.5 billion, positioning it as a leader in the behavioral health space. This financial backing will enable Spring Health to continue its expansion efforts and pursue new partnerships that will enhance its substance use disorder treatment offerings.
Eleanor Health, based in Waltham, Massachusetts, has also seen strong investor interest. In 2022, the company raised $50 million in Series C funding, bringing its total funding to approximately $82 million. Eleanor Health’s focus on providing high-quality, outpatient addiction treatment has made it a critical player in the addiction care space. The partnership with Spring Health allows Eleanor to expand its reach and serve more communities, helping individuals struggling with substance use disorders get the care they need to heal.
A Focus on Expanding Treatment Offerings
For both Spring Health and Eleanor Health, the work doesn’t stop with the current partnerships. Both companies are committed to continuing to expand their treatment offerings and build relationships with other providers in the addiction and behavioral health space. Spring Health, for example, is exploring potential partnerships with providers that specialize in certain areas of substance use treatment, such as alcohol or drug-specific interventions. Additionally, Spring Health is particularly interested in incorporating contingency management, a highly effective, evidence-based treatment that has faced barriers to reimbursement due to regulatory challenges.
Eleanor Health is also looking to expand its partnerships in order to serve more communities and help more individuals affected by addiction. “We plan to enter into more partnerships like this one with Spring that will enable us to serve more communities and help people affected by addiction live amazing lives,” said Nzinga Harrison. As the addiction crisis continues to evolve, the need for flexible, comprehensive care options will only increase, and both Spring Health and Eleanor Health are committed to meeting this demand.
Serving More Communities and Improving Lives
One of the most exciting aspects of this partnership is the increased access to care for individuals in a wider range of locations. Spring Health’s collaboration with Eleanor Health will allow its patients to access Eleanor’s specialized outpatient addiction treatment services in seven states: Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, and Washington. This expanded geographic reach will make it easier for individuals in these areas to access high-quality, evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders, regardless of their location or preferred care setting.
By continuing to expand its substance use disorder treatment partnerships, Spring Health is ensuring that its patients have access to a wide range of services tailored to their individual needs. These partnerships are crucial for tackling the rising rates of addiction and ensuring that people get the support they need to recover.
Conclusion: A Step Toward a Healthier Future
The partnership between Spring Health and Eleanor Health is a crucial step in addressing the rising tide of substance use disorders across the United States. By combining their resources and expertise, these two organizations are not only increasing access to care but also ensuring that individuals receive the specialized treatment they need to recover. As the addiction crisis continues to devastate communities, the work of companies like Spring Health and Eleanor Health will be critical in turning the tide and helping individuals find a path to healing and recovery. With their expanded offerings, growing networks, and commitment to evidence-based care, both organizations are poised to make a lasting impact on the lives of those affected by substance use disorders.
Through substance use disorder treatment partnerships, Spring Health and Eleanor Health are paving the way for a brighter, healthier future for countless individuals and communities.
