Since launching our Psychiatric service line in partnership with Ascend in 2020, NOAH has experienced tremendous growth. We are pleased to now have the capacity to accommodate more patients through our NOAH employed psychiatry providers. This is an exciting milestone for NOAH as our growing Psychiatric service line increases our financial strength and further accomplishes our mission.
As a result of this internal growth, we will be reducing the number of psychiatry providers contracted through Ascend. Over the next three months, we will be notifying and transitioning affected patients for continued care at NOAH. We are working closely with Ascend to ensure a smooth transition and are looking forward to continued collaboration with their organization.
FAQ’s
Q: Does this change impact Ascend Behavioral Health/Counseling providers?
A: No. We are not making any changes with our contracted Ascend Counseling providers.
Q: Are we transitioning out all Ascend Psychiatric providers?
A: No. Ascend Behavioral Health is a valued NOAH partner and it’s the collaboration between our organizations that fueled the pathway for our Psychiatry service line. We share a common goal to provide mental health services for all and will continue to collectively support those efforts.
Q: How many Ascend providers are leaving?
A: Over the next three months, a total of six Ascend Psychiatry providers will transition out of providing services on behalf of NOAH.
Q: How are affected patients being notified?
A: All affected patients with active MyChart accounts will receive a letter via MyChart communicating their provider is leaving NOAH. Patients who do not have MyChart accounts will be sent a letter via USPS.
Q: Will affected patients be contacted any other way?
A: NOAH’s BH team will call affected patients to assist with transitioning their care to another provider at NOAH. Patients with additional questions or concerns will be scheduled with a BHT for further evaluation/discussion before transitioning.
Q: Will affected patients be assigned another provider?
A: Patients must schedule with a new provider either through PEC or BH team scheduling. Specific providers have been selected to take on transitioning patients based on availability and other factors; however, patients may choose another provider for any reason.
Q: How will inboxes be supported for offboarding providers?
A: A NOAH provider will be designated to manage inboxes, including MyChart messaging.
Q: Are Medicaid patients being prioritized in any way?
A: Ascend Psychiatry providers will only see Medicaid patients going forward. The Medicaid PPS rate aligns with NOAH’s out-of-pocket cost for contracted providers.
Q: Are we still taking new commercially insured patients for Psychiatry services?
A: Existing patients of all accepted payor types will still be able to schedule with NOAH providers. We will continue to monitor and evaluate when we are able to open for new patients from all payors.
