Acadia Healthcare (NASDAQ: ACHC), the largest pure-play behavioral health provider in the U.S., is making bold moves this year, focusing heavily on behavioral health technology investments and expanding its Comprehensive Treatment Centers (CTCs) to better serve patients with opioid use disorder. At the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference, CEO Christopher Hunter emphasized that these priorities will “drive the business forward” and position Acadia as a leader in transforming behavioral health care.
Closing the Technology Gap in Behavioral Health
Behavioral health providers have traditionally fallen behind their physical health counterparts when it comes to digital adoption. One major reason is that behavioral health was excluded from the 2009 HITECH Act, leaving many providers reliant on paper-based systems. This gap is why Acadia’s behavioral health technology investments are so critical.
By prioritizing electronic health records (EHRs) and remote patient monitoring, Acadia aims to modernize care delivery and reduce the administrative burden on clinicians. Heather Dixon, CFO at Acadia, explains that these investments not only improve facility efficiency but also help lay the groundwork for more innovative, data-driven contracts with payers.
Hunter added that widespread use of paper records in behavioral health facilities has historically made it difficult to establish value-based arrangements. With strategic behavioral health technology investments, Acadia will generate the robust data necessary to demonstrate outcomes and engage in value-based care models that reward quality over quantity.
Enhancing Patient Care with Technology
Beyond EHRs, Acadia’s behavioral health technology investments include remote patient monitoring tools that ensure consistent quality and adherence to treatment protocols. Dixon noted that this technology enables real-time oversight, helping facilities maintain high care standards and improve patient outcomes.
These technologies represent a shift toward proactive and precise care in behavioral health, enabling early intervention and personalized treatment adjustments.
Expanding Access at Comprehensive Treatment Centers
Acadia is also channeling behavioral health technology investments into its network of CTCs. The focus is on reducing patient wait times and improving accessibility—critical factors for individuals requiring frequent, often daily, outpatient treatment for opioid use disorder.
By investing in centralized scheduling and expanding clinic hours, Acadia has eliminated previous wait times, ensuring patients receive immediate care. This patient-centric approach is vital for maintaining treatment engagement and supporting recovery.
Supporting Medicaid Patients
Since Medicaid accounts for approximately half of Acadia’s revenue, the company is leveraging behavioral health technology investment to help patients retain or regain coverage. Through dedicated hotlines, onsite kiosks, and staff training, Acadia ensures patients do not experience interruptions in their benefits, which can disrupt treatment continuity.
Looking Ahead: Federal Funding Opportunities
The company expects federal funding related to the opioid crisis to provide additional growth opportunities. While major funding influxes are anticipated in 2025, Acadia’s ongoing behavioral health technology investments and service expansion position it well to capitalize on these future resources.
Conclusion
Acadia Healthcare’s strategic behavioral health technology investments and expansion of its Comprehensive Treatment Centers reflect a commitment to modernizing care delivery, improving patient access, and advancing innovative treatment models. These investments not only enhance operational efficiency but also pave the way for value-based care arrangements that reward quality outcomes in behavioral health.
