Employee Dedication and Provider Collaboration Power Behavioral Health Treatment Success

This year, the National Alliance on Mental Health is recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month in May with the “Take the Moment” campaign to foster dialogue, empathy, understanding and sharing of resources to support individuals on their journey toward mental wellness. At Centene, our Members Empowered to Succeed (METS) program uses an integrated, holistic and recovery-centered approach for individuals with mental health needs and outpatient behavioral health services.  

The program focuses on enhanced coordination with providers to create individualized treatment that addresses potential gaps in care, while optimizing use of community supports to facilitate resiliency and recovery. This approach has resulted in increased medication adherence and treatment plan compliance and improved health outcomes.   

Program Growth    

In 2023, METS served more than 10,000 Centene members. In recent months, METS has more than doubled its reach by expanding to more markets within the Medicaid and Ambetter lines of business, maintaining continued support of behavioral healthcare coordination and adding a focused substance use disorder program. Even with rapid growth, Centene's dedicated caregivers who support the program continue to demonstrate consistent, positive results for members and providers.  

“I highlight our members’ resiliency factors and strengths and encourage them to call on these as they face challenges to help them see and be proud of their successes and to give themselves grace,” said METS Senior Behavioral Health Service Coordinator, Renee Haxton. “I also provide them with supportive social determinants of health and behavioral health resources — real tools to ensure they feel empowered to attain their highest level of overall health and to thrive.”  

Provider partnerships and integrated care are key to METS' success. Collaboration between all of a member’s providers — including behavioral health, pharmacy, medical and dental — and considering social needs enable the METS team to monitor and evaluate treatment progress and appropriate use of services. This approach adopts a comprehensive care plan to address the barriers that affect recovery while realizing the full benefit from resources that fit the member’s treatment goals. In turn, they become an active participant in their care, which increases engagement, encourages independence and drives improved health outcomes.  

“It’s an honor to lead a diverse and talented team dedicated to improving the care and health outcomes of our members,” said METS Senior Director, Population Health & Clinical Operations, Amy Trussell. “METS has positively impacted many members who were not typically involved in other care management programs. Through our clinical deep dives and collaboration with the treating providers, members and stakeholders, we are successfully building on each member’s unique resiliency and assisting them in successfully maintaining their care and well-being.”   

At the end of the day, it’s all about our members.   

“The best part of my job is connecting with members,” said METS Service Coordinator, Viviana Gonzalez. “We have wonderful members who are just doing their best to take care of themselves and their families, so I’m happy to help them in any way I can.”  

Centene’s commitment to whole health continues to fuel innovative programs that support providers, encourage care coordination and maximize community supports to improve health outcomes.  

Read the full Impact Brief (PDF) to learn more about how METS solves for barriers to mental health treatment and recovery