TUCSON, Ariz., Aug. 3, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mercy Maricopa Integrated Care and Sinfonia HealthCare Corp. are proud to announce the Aug. 1 opening of one of the state's first fully integrated behavioral and physical health care center in Phoenix.
Assurance Health & Wellness Center – Phoenix, wholly owned by Sinfonia HealthCare, will offer whole health care for members of Mercy Maricopa, the Regional Behavioral Health Authority that oversees public behavioral health care, integrated care and crisis services for Maricopa County under a contract with the state.
The center combines behavioral health treatment, wellness programs and primary care in one location, at 1515 E. Osborn Road (www.assurancephoenix.com). Under Assurance's team approach, care is supervised by a primary care physician (PCP) and a psychiatrist.
Team members also include nurses, case managers, peer navigators, diet and nutrition experts, exercise trainers and other treatment specialists. Members will have one medical record and a care coordinator, with treatment programs driven by the members and their needs. Programs include chronic disease management, diet and exercise, substance abuse treatment, support groups, mental and primary health care.
Research continues to show that integrated care programs can remove barriers to primary care to help people get the care, services and supports that they need, and to prevent small problems from becoming big ones. Life expectancy for people living with serious mental illness is 25 to 30 years less than the general population, due largely to treatable medical conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, and preventable risk factors such as smoking, obesity, substance abuse and inadequate access to care.
"We are very excited to be working with Mercy Maricopa and given the opportunity to provide truly integrated care for the members we are privileged to serve," said Michael Puthoff, president of Assurance Health & Wellness. "Our goal is to help all those we serve to lead healthier, happier and more rewarding lives."
Clinic services will be led by Dr. Bindu Smelser, the medical director for primary care services, and Dr. Sandra Figueroa, chief of psychiatric services.
"We know that treating the whole person, mind and body, is absolutely the right thing to do for our members. Assurance Health & Wellness has the expertise, staff and facilities to provide integrated care at the highest level," said Eddy D. Broadway, CEO of Mercy Maricopa. "Integrated care is a person-centered approach that makes sense for members, families and the entire system."
About Sinfonia HealthCare:
Sinfonia HealthCare (www.sinfoniahealth.com) was launched in January 2013 by Fletcher McCusker and Michael Deitch, founders of Providence Service Corp. (Nasdaq:PRSC). Sinfonia has created an innovative approach to community-based medical care by establishing a full continuum of health services including hospice, home health, companion care, primary care, wellness and medication management. Sinfonia's behavioral health division works to integrate mental, primary and pharmacy care in Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Maine and Virginia.
About Mercy Maricopa:
Mercy Maricopa (www.mercymaricopa.org) is the local, nonprofit Regional Behavioral Health Authority for Maricopa County and part of Pinal County, overseeing behavioral health care and crisis services under a contract with the Arizona Department of Health Services/Division of Behavioral Health Services (ADHS/DBHS) and the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). Mercy Maricopa is sponsored by Mercy Care Plan, also a local nonprofit, and Maricopa Integrated Health System (MIHS), the county's public health care system. Mercy Care Plan is sponsored by Dignity Health and Carondelet Health Network, nationally known mission-driven, faith-based health care systems.