The world of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment is rapidly evolving. Digital health platforms have been playing a significant role in providing accessible, flexible care for individuals struggling with addiction, offering services like cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational enhancement therapy, and contingency management programs. However, while digital solutions are making waves, there are still limitations when it comes to individuals needing higher levels of care, such as inpatient or detox services. This is where Pelago, a leading digital substance use disorder provider, is stepping up with its newly launched Centers of Excellence Network.
Pelago, which has built a nationwide reputation by offering various substance use disorder treatment programs, including those for tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, and opioid use disorder, is now partnering with established brick-and-mortar providers. These partnerships aim to bridge the gap between digital and traditional addiction treatment services, offering patients access to inpatient care when necessary.
In this blog post, we’ll dive deeper into Pelago’s Centers of Excellence Network, how it works, and the impact it could have on the addiction treatment landscape.
Understanding Pelago’s Digital SUD Services
Pelago offers a broad range of substance use disorder treatment services designed to be easily accessible through its digital platform. For those who need it, Pelago’s offerings include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This widely used therapy helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns that can contribute to substance abuse.
- Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET): MET helps individuals explore and resolve ambivalence towards changing their behaviors, which can be particularly beneficial in the early stages of treatment.
- Contingency Management: A behavioral therapy where patients are rewarded for demonstrating positive behaviors, such as staying sober or adhering to treatment.
While Pelago provides these services mainly through partnerships with payers and employers, its platform allows for personalized, remote care. This means patients can access treatment at their convenience, making it a flexible and cost-effective option for many. Pelago’s integration of these digital tools ensures that individuals can receive ongoing support from the comfort of their homes.
However, as Pelago’s CEO, Yusuf Sherwani, explains, some patients need a higher level of care than what a digital platform can offer. “Around 5 to 10% of Pelago’s population needs some higher level of care,” Sherwani told Behavioral Health Business. The new Centers of Excellence Network aims to address this very need, ensuring that Pelago’s digital services seamlessly connect to inpatient and residential care when required.
Pelago’s First Two Partners: Recovery Centers of America (RCA) and Banyan Treatment Centers
Pelago’s Centers of Excellence Network is built on partnerships with traditional, facility-based addiction treatment providers. For the network’s launch, Pelago has teamed up with Recovery Centers of America (RCA) and Banyan Treatment Centers, two well-known names in the addiction treatment field.
- Recovery Centers of America (RCA): RCA offers a broad range of services, including inpatient care, outpatient programs, detox, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and telehealth services. Their commitment to providing high-quality care aligns well with Pelago’s goal of offering seamless, integrated treatment options for individuals with more severe addiction challenges.
- Banyan Treatment Centers: With locations across the country, Banyan provides outpatient, intensive care, residential, inpatient, and medical detox services. Banyan’s comprehensive approach to care, which focuses on patients at every stage of recovery, complements Pelago’s services and ensures that individuals have access to the level of care that matches their unique needs.
These partnerships are not just about extending access to treatment but ensuring that the quality of care is top-notch. Pelago ensures that each provider in its Centers of Excellence Network has passed a rigorous evaluation process. This process includes assessments of their outcomes, clinical results, licensure, and best practices in data sharing and reporting.
The Importance of Higher Levels of Care in SUD Treatment
While digital addiction treatment platforms like Pelago are making significant strides in increasing access to care, they are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Some individuals require a higher level of care that digital platforms cannot provide. This might include inpatient detox services, medical supervision, or intensive residential treatment for more severe cases of substance use disorder.
Substance use disorders are complex, and their severity can vary greatly from one person to the next. Pelago’s new network recognizes this by offering a pathway to the appropriate level of care when digital treatment alone is not sufficient. This ensures that patients can continue their recovery in a seamless manner without feeling like they are being bounced from one provider to another.
In particular, patients who need inpatient services for detoxification or those who are dealing with dual diagnoses (co-occurring mental health disorders alongside substance use) will benefit from this network. By partnering with well-established treatment providers like RCA and Banyan, Pelago is ensuring that patients are getting the right kind of care at the right time.
How Pelago’s Centers of Excellence Network Works
Pelago’s platform has built-in tools to identify when a patient needs a higher level of care. Using its multidimensional assessment (MDA) and Prioritization, Assessment, Categorization, and Triage (PACT) capabilities, Pelago can determine the severity of a patient’s SUD diagnosis, suicidality risk, and overall physical and behavioral health status. This technology allows Pelago to accurately assess patients’ needs and match them with the appropriate treatment facility.
Once a patient is identified as needing a higher level of care, Pelago transitions them to the relevant provider in the Centers of Excellence Network. This process is handled with “white-glove service,” which ensures that patients have an expedited entry to care. This includes access to Pelago’s concierge travel service for those who need to travel to a treatment facility, secure transfer of patient information, and coordination with the patient’s primary care provider.
After patients are discharged from inpatient care, Pelago continues to support them with 100% post-discharge follow-up. This ensures that patients have ongoing access to the tools and resources they need for long-term recovery and that any potential issues or setbacks are addressed immediately.
Addressing the Limitations of Digital SUD Treatment
While digital health platforms like Pelago offer many advantages, including flexibility, convenience, and lower cost, they are not without their limitations. The National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s Alexandra Plante notes, “We can’t treat every single substance use patient as the same person with the same chronicity, the same severity, and the same access to treatment.” This highlights the reality that some individuals need more intensive, in-person care than what can be provided digitally.
Pelago’s Centers of Excellence Network acknowledges this gap by ensuring that those who require more intensive care are not left behind. By offering a hybrid solution that combines digital care with in-person treatment options, Pelago is addressing the varying needs of individuals with substance use disorders and providing a comprehensive, integrated approach to recovery.
The Future of Digital Health and Integrated Care
Pelago’s initiative is part of a larger trend in the healthcare industry towards integrated care models. As digital health continues to gain traction, we can expect more partnerships between virtual care providers and traditional, in-person treatment centers. This hybrid model will ensure that patients have access to the right care at the right time, whether that means receiving digital therapy or being admitted to an inpatient facility for detox or residential treatment.
Yusuf Sherwani, CEO of Pelago, notes, “The future of digital health is likely to see more partnerships between virtual care companies and traditional in-person providers. This trend is driven by the need for integrated care, improved accessibility, and patient convenience.”
Conclusion: A Comprehensive Solution for Substance Use Disorder Care
Pelago’s launch of its Centers of Excellence Network marks a significant step forward in the evolution of substance use disorder treatment. By integrating digital care with inpatient services, Pelago is offering a holistic, seamless approach that ensures patients receive the appropriate level of care for their unique needs. As the demand for substance use disorder treatment continues to rise, especially in the wake of the opioid crisis and the increasing legalization of cannabis, hybrid models like this one will play a critical role in improving access to care and supporting long-term recovery for individuals across the country.
In the coming years, Pelago’s model may serve as a blueprint for other digital health platforms looking to integrate more traditional, in-person care. By combining the flexibility of digital solutions with the comprehensive services of brick-and-mortar providers, Pelago is leading the way in providing a more inclusive, effective, and personalized approach to addiction treatment.
