InStride Health Expands Access to Pediatric Anxiety and OCD Treatment in Massachusetts and Connecticut

What You Should Know: 

– InStride Health, a provider of specialized pediatric mental healthcare, announced a significant expansion of its services in Massachusetts and Connecticut. The company’s innovative virtual care program for anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is now available as an in-network benefit for Aetna customers in these states.

– The partnership provides over 90% of commercially insured individuals in Massachusetts and Connecticut with access to InStride Health’s evidence-backed treatment program, which is specifically designed for children and adolescents aged 7 to 22.

Addressing the Growing Need for Pediatric Mental Healthcare

Anxiety and OCD are prevalent among young people, with one in three children in the U.S. experiencing these conditions by the age of 18. However, accessing quality care can be challenging due to:

• Shortage of qualified providers: Limited access to specialists trained in pediatric anxiety and OCD treatment.
• Insurance barriers: Lack of insurance coverage for mental healthcare services.
• Long waitlists: Extensive wait times for appointments with mental health professionals.
• Inadequate treatment models: Traditional treatment models often rely on episodic visits with limited support between sessions.

InStride Health’s Innovative Approach

InStride Health addresses these challenges with its comprehensive virtual care program, which offers:

• Coordinated care: A dedicated, multidisciplinary team of therapists, psychiatrists, and exposure coaches provides integrated care.
• Evidence-based treatment: Treatment is grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy, the gold standard for anxiety and OCD.
• Virtual accessibility: Convenient and accessible virtual sessions eliminate barriers to care and accommodate busy schedules.
• Family-centered approach: Involves families in the treatment process, providing support and education.
• Time-limited program: Focuses on empowering patients to develop skills and manage their conditions independently, rather than creating a dependency on ongoing therapy.

Improving Access and Outcomes

By partnering with Aetna, InStride Health is expanding access to high-quality mental healthcare for children and families in Massachusetts and Connecticut. The company’s innovative virtual care model and focus on evidence-based treatment have the potential to significantly improve outcomes for young people struggling with anxiety and OCD.

“As we enter a new year, we remain dedicated to expanding access to high-quality specialty care for children and young adults with anxiety and/or OCD,” said John Voith, co-founder and CEO of InStride Health. “We are thrilled to partner with Aetna to provide families throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut with immediate access to care that leads to lasting change. This partnership reinforces our commitment to ensuring more kids, teens, and young adults receive the appropriate treatment from providers with specific clinical expertise, and we look forward to expanding to additional markets.”