CarePlus NJ Joins Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ’s Integrated System of Care (ISC) Program

As a regional ISC Ambassador, CarePlus NJ will streamline and improve access to care for members

Paramus, N.J. (November 17, 2021) – Care Plus NJ, Inc. (“CarePlus NJ”), a pioneer in integrated primary and behavioral health services for adults and children, announces it has joined Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey’s Integrated System of Care (ISC) Program, which addresses complex care needs of patients/members with serious mental illness (SMI) and substance use disorder (SUD). As an ISC Ambassador, CarePlus NJ will streamline and improve access to integrated primary and behavioral health care by coordinating care and assuring communication and collaboration among specialty care providers on behalf of the member.

The ISC Program consists of regional networks of community-based physical health, behavioral health, and social support service providers all working collaboratively to meet patient/member needs within their region. Members who participated in the ISC Program pilot project reported improved outcomes, including:

Reduction in hospital admissions

Reduction in emergency room visits

Reduction in days of alcohol use

Reduction in days of illegal drug use

Improvement in quality-of-life indicators

“As a leading provider of integrated primary and behavioral health care with decades of experience providing person-centered treatment plans for adults and children in northern New Jersey, becoming an ambassador for Horizon’s ISC Program is a natural fit for our organization,” said Laura Del Tufo, Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration, CarePlus NJ. “We are pleased to leverage our expertise to offer streamlined care coordination to individuals with serious mental illness and/or substance use disorders in the communities we serve through this important program.”

CarePlus NJ will act as an ISC Ambassador for Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties providing Horizon BCBSNJ members with personalized support, streamlined access to primary care and specialty providers, and person-centered treatment planning as well as addressing social determinants of health that may impact care including safe housing, transportation, education, economic stability, food security, job opportunities and other environmental factors.

“Making our health care system work better for those who depend on it requires us to reimagine how we deliver services,” said Saraí Narváez, Director of Horizon’s ISC program. “Taking an integrated approach to care with partners like CarePlus NJ expands and accelerates our mission to treat the whole person.”

To learn more or to make a referral, please call 201-265-8200 x 5323 or visit www.careplusnj.org.

About CarePlus NJ

For more than 40 years, Care Plus NJ, Inc. (“CarePlus NJ”) has been a pioneer in integrated primary and behavioral health services for adults and children in northern New Jersey. Based in Paramus, New Jersey, CarePlus NJ is committed to providing the most comprehensive integrated treatment options through 72 programs designed to meet the full spectrum of health and wellness needs for adults and children in the communities it serves.  Specializing in acute care, CarePlus NJ provides immediate, high-quality health services and support programs for individuals in crisis. Nationally ranked for excellence in customer satisfaction by the Mental Health Corporations of America, CarePlus NJ is mission driven ensuring that anyone who needs it has access to specialized care. To learn more about CarePlus NJ and its wide range of programs and services, visit https://www.careplusnj.org/.