Today the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced that Altarum has been awarded a contract to provided training and technical assistance for their Recovery Incentive Pilot.  The pilot is part of the state’s efforts to offer an additional evidence-based treatment for Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan enrollees who are recovering from substance use disorders.

The Recovery Incentives Pilot will use contingency management, an evidence-based treatment that provides motivational incentives to people living with a substance use disorder who are able to achieve their treatment goals. By establishing contingency management as a covered benefit on a pilot basis for Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan enrollees, the state believes it can improve outcomes by supporting individuals in meeting treatment goals and making the behavior changes that drive recovery.

Altarum will develop a training curriculum and support providers as they offer services, including developing ongoing support tools and documentation, as well as providing technical assistance. 

“Following trends across the country, the opioid epidemic in Michigan has expanded and now includes the use of stimulants and other mixed substances,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. “Through this contract with Altarum, providers will have access to the necessary trainings and tools to best serve beneficiaries living with substance use disorders.” 

“Altarum is honored to begin this crucial work for Michigan,” said Jessica McDuff, Program Director, Behavioral Health, Altarum. “Altarum’s innovative training and technical assistance will support MDHHS’s vision to increase access to evidence-based services for individuals living with a substance use disorder.” 

Altarum has two decades of experience in behavioral health and with operating training and technical assistance programs for substance use programs, including current partnerships with SAMHSA.