Western Wisconsin Health to launch 'Many Paths to Recovery' program June 1; will accept Medicaid

Ailey Peterson, a council member and the CEO/administrator at Western Wisconsin Health, and Ellen Thompson, the health system's chief operating officer, told the council the organization will officially launch a chapter 75-certified substance use disorder program called "Many Paths to Recovery" on June 1. "We will be launching officially our full substance use disorder program on June 1," Peterson said.

Thompson described the program as integrated into a medical-home model that pairs primary care with medication-assisted treatment, individual counseling and group visits. "We're calling it many paths to recovery," Thompson said, adding the program will provide a continuum of services, accept Medicaid/BadgerCare and offer urine drug testing if required by courts. She said initial group sizes will ideally be 8'10 participants, with multiple sessions per week to keep people moving into care rather than waiting lists.

During Q&A, Western Wisconsin Health staff said referrals may come from anyone, that the program will help uninsured patients apply for insurance, and that they are hiring additional social-work capacity to support enrollment and care coordination. Council members raised sober-housing and access concerns; Western Wisconsin Health and members agreed to coordinate follow-up and requested a report on progress at the July 30 meeting.