Boulder Care Expands Value-Based Care Partnerships with New VP Appointment

Boulder Care, a telehealth provider specializing in substance use disorder treatment, has appointed Marianna Zaslavsky as its new vice president of growth partnerships. This strategic move underscores the company's commitment to expanding value-based care initiatives and strengthening its presence in the Medicaid market.

Zaslavsky's Expertise and Boulder Care's Strategic Focus

Zaslavsky brings a wealth of experience in provider Medicaid contracting and value-based care to her new role at Boulder Care. Her background includes similar positions at Groups Recover Together and Emergency Care Programs, where she structured value-based agreements with major payers and helped transition business models.

Boulder Care's emphasis on value-based care aligns with its holistic approach to treating substance use disorder. The company's harm reduction model, while considered niche, has shown promising results. Zaslavsky expressed pride in joining an organization that prioritizes "harm reduction, kindness, and individualized care planning."

Medicaid Expansion and Challenges

With 80% of Boulder Care's patients on Medicaid, the company is doubling down on its commitment to this market segment. Medicaid covers more than a third of non-elderly adults with opioid use disorder in the U.S., making it a crucial focus for substance use disorder treatment providers.

However, the Medicaid landscape faces uncertainties. Recent estimates suggest that over 8 million Americans could lose Medicaid coverage under proposed legislation, potentially leaving a sicker population within the program. Additionally, 25 million Americans were disenrolled from Medicaid during COVID-era redeterminations, highlighting the volatility in coverage.

Boulder Care's Performance and Future Directions

Despite challenges in the healthcare landscape, Boulder Care has demonstrated strong performance in its value-based partnerships. In 2024, the company doubled its number of such partnerships, including an agreement with UnitedHealthcare Community Plan in Washington state. Since 2018, Boulder has maintained all its clients and earned 100% of eligible quality payments.

The company's impact is evident in the outcomes reported by its Medicaid MCO plan partners, including:

• 40% reductions in emergency department use
• 65% reductions in behavioral health expenses
• 77% reductions in physical health expenses

As Boulder Care continues to expand its partnerships and innovative approaches to substance use disorder treatment, Zaslavsky's leadership in growth partnerships is poised to play a crucial role in navigating the complex and evolving healthcare landscape.