RECADEMY Webinar Explores How Caron Treatment Centers Is Redefining Provider-Payer Partnerships To Advance High-Quality, Value-Based SUD Care

[Gettysburg, PA] — July 31, 2026 – As behavioral health organizations face increasing pressure to demonstrate value, improve outcomes, and expand access to evidence-based substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, provider-payer relationships have become a strategic driver of organizational performance. Building collaborative partnerships with health plans is no longer simply about reimbursement; it is increasingly essential to improving quality, expanding access, and supporting long-term sustainability.

In response to this evolving healthcare landscape, RECADEMY, an OPEN MINDS online learning collaborative, has announced the eighth webinar in its 2026 educational series focused on advancing evidence-based substance use disorder treatment. The session will feature a real-world case study from Caron Treatment Centers, examining how the organization strengthened provider-payer collaboration while remaining focused on delivering high-quality, evidence-based addiction treatment.

The webinar, “When Coverage, Quality & Cost Collide In SUD Care – What Leading Organizations Do Differently: A Caron Case Study,” will be held on August 4, 2026, from 1-2p.m. ET, and will feature Lee Peterson, Executive Director of Revenue Cycle & Payer Relations at Caron Treatment Centers. The session will be moderated by Stuart Buttlaire, Ph.D., Vice President of Clinical Excellence & Leadership at OPEN MINDS.

Caron Treatment Centers is a nationally recognized nonprofit provider of addiction treatment services, serving adolescents and adults through residential, outpatient, and specialty treatment programs. As healthcare shifts toward greater accountability for quality, outcomes, and value, Caron has evolved its approach to payer relationships, moving beyond transactional contract negotiations to collaborative partnerships built on transparency, shared accountability, and measurable outcomes.

Through this case study, attendees will examine how Caron aligned clinical excellence with operational strategy to strengthen payer relationships. The session will explore practical approaches to improving communication, using data to demonstrate value, redefining performance measures, and building partnerships that support better access, stronger patient outcomes, and long-term organizational sustainability.

“Behavioral health organizations can no longer think of themselves simply as network providers, they need to become true network partners,” said Monica E. Oss, Chief Executive Officer of OPEN MINDS. “As reimbursement models continue to evolve, organizations that build collaborative, data-informed relationships with health plans will be better positioned to improve access, demonstrate value, and sustain high-quality care. Caron’s experience provides a practical roadmap for making that transition.”

The webinar will also explore how provider organizations can better align coverage decisions, reimbursement strategies, quality measures, and patient outcomes.

“We shouldn’t strive to be a network provider, we should strive to be a network partner,” said Lee Peterson, Executive Director of Revenue Cycle & Payer Relations at Caron Treatment Centers. “The strongest relationships are built when providers and payers share responsibility for improving outcomes, expanding access, and demonstrating value. That’s ultimately what benefits the patients and families we serve.”

Key Learning Objectives Include: 

• How Caron built stronger provider-payer partnerships to improve access, outcomes, and organizational sustainability
• Practical strategies for aligning coverage decisions, quality measures, reimbursement, and patient outcomes
• Approaches for strengthening trust, transparency, and shared accountability with health plans
• Lessons provider organizations can apply as value-based care continues to reshape behavioral health

Registration is now open and free for RECADEMY members.

About RECADEMY 

RECADEMY is a research-based, online learning collaborative focused on improving substance use disorder treatment across clinical settings and payer environments. Through webinars, on-demand education, and curated resources, RECADEMY supports healthcare leaders in implementing evidence-based models of care and strengthening systems that improve treatment access, continuity, and outcomes. 

About OPEN MINDS 

OPEN MINDS is a national market intelligence, management consulting, and marketing services firm specializing exclusively in the high-needs consumer market – mental health, addiction treatment, cognitive disabilities, chronic health conditions, elder services, health-related social needs, and adjacent markets within the health and human service field. The OPEN MINDS mission is to provide payers, service provider organizations, pharmaceutical, technology, and scientific firms that serve these consumers with the market and management knowledge needed to improve their organizational efficiency and effectiveness. Learn more at openminds.com.