Molinalogo

10/18/2023

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 18, 2023 — The Ohio Association of Health Plans has named Molina Healthcare of Ohio (“Molina”) a Pinnacle Award winner. Molina was recognized for its Serious Mental Illness (SMI) and Severe Emotional Disturbance (SED) care model and Helping Other People through Empowerment (HOPE) team. This effort is designed to help adults with SMI and children with SED diagnoses manage their condition by providing specialized supports, including education and empowerment for members and their caregivers to effectively manage their condition.   

Molina expanded its behavioral health program to build the specialized HOPE team that includes clinicians with extensive backgrounds in behavioral health and substance use in community mental health centers, hospitals and other care settings. A key concept in the model is the importance of building alliances with patients — using trauma-informed care and motivational interviewing, clinicians guide patients toward needed changes with acceptance, compassion, and partnership. Members have benefited from the advocacy, integrated care, education, and creative solutions the HOPE Team care managers bring to their lives. 

“Meeting the needs of members with severe mental illness is a priority and Molina is proud to leverage its experience to create an innovative solution,” said Ami Cole, plan president of Molina Healthcare of Ohio. “We’re passionate about the difference our model and the HOPE team can make for our members.”

Molina assesses success by monitoring members’ use of crisis services, emergency rooms, and inpatient stays. The program also monitors member self-management via education, coaching and treatment adherence. Over 12 months of the program, Molina saw a reduction in unnecessary use of services by SMI members in high-risk categories. 


###

About Molina Healthcare of Ohio 
Molina Healthcare of Ohio has been providing government-funded, quality health care since 2005. The Company serves members through Medicaid, Medicare, Medicare-Medicaid (Duals) and Health Insurance Exchange programs throughout Ohio. Through its locally operated health plans, Molina Healthcare, Inc., a FORTUNE 500 company (currently ranked 125), provides managed healthcare services under the Medicaid and Medicare programs and through the state insurance marketplaces. Molina Healthcare served approximately 5.2 million members as of June 30, 2023, located across 19 states. For more information about Molina Healthcare of Ohio, visit MolinaHealthcare.com. 

About the Ohio Association of Health Plans 
The Ohio Association of Health Plans is a statewide association dedicated to working with legislators, providers, nonprofits and other partners to improve the health of Ohioans through access to quality, affordable care.