CareSource Funds Mobile Injection Clinic for Community Behavioral Health Clients

Mobile injection will serve multiple Indiana counties throughout May

(INDIANAPOLIS, IND. – April 27, 2020) CareSource, a nationally recognized, nonprofit health plan, is partnering with Community Behavioral Health during the month of May to fund a mobile injection clinic. The behavioral health team plans to begin offering injections through a mobile injection clinic to serve patients with serious mental illness (SMI) and substance use disorder (SUD) who have low mobility, are Persons under Investigation (PUI) or are COVID-19 positive.

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, Community Behavioral Health launched virtual appointments and consolidated in-person appointments to one or two clinics per region for psychiatric and substance use disorder injections for high-risk patients only. The reduction of access to in-person care brought the need for a mobile clinic that serves counties throughout central Indiana. Community Behavioral Health plans to use an ambulance eight hours a day, five days a week, to administer injections at the homes of these patients, reducing COVID-19 spread while ensuring that patients are able to receive their injections.

“At CareSource, we recognize the importance of access to behavioral health care during COVID-19. We are excited to partner with Community Behavioral Health to provide those facing serious mental illness, substance abuse disorders and Persons under Investigation with access to the mobile injection clinic,” said Steve Smitherman, president of CareSource Indiana. “The mobile injection clinic offers an opportunity for us to serve the community while following social distancing rules and preserving hospital resources.”

Mobile injection clinics will help avoid using critical hospital resources that are needed for COVID-19. The mobile clinic will serve Clinton, Hamilton, Hancock, Howard, Johnson, Madison, Marion, Shelby and Tipton counties. CareSource’s $36,000 donation to the mobile injection clinic will make it possible to assist those in need of injections while social distancing and avoiding the depletion of COVID-19 needs at the hospital.

“Community Health Network is committed to providing care where and when it’s needed most,” said Community Health Network President and CEO Bryan Mills. “During the COVID-19 crisis, we have had to adapt and change the way we provide care.  But that hasn’t changed our commitment.  As the largest behavioral health system in Indiana, we have a unique responsibility to reach those patients dealing with serious mental illness and substance use disorder to get them the support they need as safely and conveniently as possible.  We are grateful for partnerships that support those efforts.”