Groups Recover Together Reduces Total Cost of Care for Members with Opioid Use Disorder by 33% through Partnerships with Indiana Health Plans

Holistic recovery for those struggling with substance use disorders reduces both physical and behavioral health costs.

INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Groups Recover Together, the national leader in value-based opioid addiction treatment and care, was shown as a leader in clinical outcomes according to an analysis of Indiana health plan data. Claims data from an IN health plan reveals that the clinical outcomes delivered through Groups’ evidence-based approach directly translate to reductions in medical and behavioral healthcare spend.

Since launching addiction treatment services in the state in 2016, Groups has served nearly 20,000 members — 70% of whom are on the health plan from which claims data was collected. Today, more than 7,000 Hoosiers participate in Groups’ recovery services each week.

“We know that medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) combined with group therapy are effective,” said Jacob “Gus” Crothers, Chief Outcomes and Medical Officer at Groups Recover Together. “The challenge is keeping members engaged in care long enough to reap the full benefits.”

IN health plan claims data review: Groups lowers physical and behavioral spend annually

To understand the impact of Groups' clinical model, an Indiana health plan analyzed claims of 1,400 engaged and non-engaged members between July 2020 and June 2021 to see how retention in treatment leads to meaningful reductions in total cost of care. The plan compared those who had remained in consistent treatment with Groups for at least six months with those who had engaged with Groups for less time.

Members engaged with Groups showed an annual reduction in total cost of 33% — a 23% reduction in physical health spend and a 46% reduction in behavioral health spend.

A holistic community of partners to support recovery

Groups works with local community organizations and providers in Indiana to find members where they are and enroll them in high-quality care. Last year, Groups announced a partnership with the IN Department of Correction where individuals are identified while incarcerated and scheduled for a rapid intake with Groups upon release. This immediate engagement, while timely and life-saving for those individuals reentering the community, assists IN-DOC in finding rapid access to quality treatment.

“Results like these demonstrate the key position that organizations like Groups Recover Together fill in our efforts to combat the drug epidemic in Indiana,” said Douglas Huntsinger, Executive Director for Drug Prevention, Treatment, and Enforcement; Chairman of the Indiana Commission to Combat Substance Use Disorder. “Their clinical model uniquely and consistently delivers savings while providing high-quality care to Hoosiers with Opioid Use Disorder. Most importantly, these results show that doing what’s best for individuals benefits all stakeholders.”

Groups is able to provide industry-leading care because of its focus on outcomes-oriented contracting. The majority of Groups’ contracts are value-based with many tied explicitly to six-month retention. Tying payment to key clinical and financial outcomes promotes collaboration and long-term partnership that ultimately improves member health and recovery.

About Groups Recover Together:

Groups Recover Together delivers opioid addiction recovery services that are proven to help individuals get their lives back on track. We provide fast, easy access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) using buprenorphine (Suboxone) and a program designed to build a sense of community and accountability. In addition, members gain access to services through Groups’ holistic care model, which is backed by the belief that long-term recovery from opioids is tied to social, behavioral, and economic factors that aren’t typically addressed in a traditional treatment model. Learn more at joingroups.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.