07/05/2022

Governor DeWine Announces Launch of OhioRISE

Source: Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine today announced the official launch of Ohio Resilience through Integrated Systems and Excellence (OhioRISE), a new Ohio Medicaid specialized managed care behavioral health program for young people with the most complex needs. Nearly 5,500 children and youth can access services immediately. OhioRISE builds on work the administration began in 2019 that has helped more than 800 families obtain care and avoid the heartbreaking possibility of giving up their child to a children’s services agency. Launching OhioRISE is another huge step forward in achieving the governor’s vision of ensuring every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential. Through a partnership with Aetna Better Health of Ohio, Medicaid’s OhioRISE program addresses longstanding gaps in care and coordination that often result in families having to navigate complex, often siloed systems on their own. In the most unfortunate circumstances, these gaps and lack of coordination have resulted in families relinquishing custody of their child so they can access much-needed behavioral healthcare services.

The program features a new statewide network of care management entities that operate under the OhioRISE plan and serve as community-based experts in navigating and coordinating care. OhioRISE also aims to keep more families together by creating access to new and enhanced, evidence-based mental health services. The Ohio Department of Medicaid has been working with partner state agencies to identify youth eligible to start in OhioRISE immediately. Proactively enrolled children and youth include those currently in custody of a children services agency who are receiving intensive residential treatment and youth who were recently admitted for inpatient hospital care. OhioRISE is expected to grow and expand access to care in its first year. By the end of year one, Ohio Medicaid expects to enroll up to 50,000 children and youth with new, specialized services and support.  Ohio Medicaid will work closely with Aetna Better Health of Ohio to continuously improve the program to ensure Ohio’s children and families receive quality care that leads to fulfilling lives. OhioRISE is a cornerstone of Governor DeWine’s Children’s Initiative and is governed by the Ohio Department of Medicaid and Governor DeWine’s Family and Children First Cabinet Council. Families interested in learning about eligibility should contact Aetna OhioRISE Member Hotline at 833.711.0773.

Important Information for OhioRISE Behavioral Health Providers:

Ohio Medicaid has created additional tools and resources for behavioral health providers supporting this important program.

• Click HERE to find an info graph summarizing today’s OhioRISE launch announcement.
• The OhioRISE Launch Information page is a terrific source for regular updates on the program and implementation. Bookmark this on your browser for quick access.
• If you have any questions, please reach out to OhioRISE@medicaid.ohio.gov or attend OhioRISE implementation open office hours, available every Tuesday from 2-3 p.m. starting July 5 to Aug. 30. Click HERE to join the office hours.