Woburn, MA : Beacon Health Strategies (Beacon), a managed behavioral health organization (MBHO) with both URAC and NCQA accreditation, is now partnering with Chartered Health Plan (Chartered), a Washington D.C. based Medicaid health plan, to manage the behavioral health benefits for Chartered’s approximately 40,000 Medicaid TANF/ SCHIP members and 20,000 D.C. Alliance/ uninsured members. Beacon was awarded this contract after Chartered conducted a thorough review of their operations and MBHO performance across the country.

In making their selection, Chartered’s Chief Executive Officer, Tamara Smith noted that she was, “impressed by the philosophy that Beacon expressed from our earliest discussions. Beacon focused on the development of a close relationship with the provider community, both behavioral and medical, as the foundation of improved outcomes for our members.”

Chartered Chief Operating Officer, Robert Watkins went on to say “The industry leading HEDIS performance results posted by Beacon in their work with their other health plan partners, and the effectiveness of their Integrated Partner Model and systems were unmatched.”

Timothy Murphy, Beacon’s President stated, “We were impressed by Chartered’s commitment to offer and coordinate the most effective care available for their members. Beacon’s proven track record of improving access to quality behavioral health services met their requirements for a behavioral health partner. We look forward to serving the people of the District and to a long and constructive relationship with Chartered.

Oversight of all Medicaid managed care organizations operating in the District is conducted by the Medical Assistance Administration (MAA) of the District of Columbia’s Department of Health. Maude Holt, MAA Administrator commented, “I am very happy that Chartered has selected Beacon to manage their behavioral health program because Beacon is a premier organization as evidenced by their many contracts with Medicaid plans and their NCQA and URAC accreditations.” Holt went on to say, “Beacon is just the type of company MAA would want serving our members.”

Founded in 1996, Beacon Health Strategies is a leader in behavioral health care management with an unequaled reputation for customizing solutions that meet customers’ unique needs in the most cost-effective manner. The company is URAC and NCQA accredited and believes that a new standard of clinical, quality and customer service is achievable. Beacon's expertise and ability to execute innovative service delivery systems in complex environments differentiate Beacon from other managed behavioral health organizations. Beacon is a privately held founder led company.

Established in 1987, D.C. Chartered Health Plan, Inc., (Chartered) is a private sector, minority-owned and operated managed care organization, currently participating in the District of Columbia Medicaid Managed Care Program. Chartered's 20 year mission has been to enhance access to high quality health care services in underserved areas throughout its diverse communities.