Episode 1

How to Talk to Health Plans for Mental Health Coverage.

California Governor Gavin Newsom on September 25 signed Senate Bill 855, Health coverage: mental health or substance use disorders, into law. The law increases health and disability insurers' coverage obligations for mental health and addiction diagnosis, prevention, and treatment in the state.

About the Podcast

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Value Based Care Advisory (VBCA)

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About your host

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Alex Yarijanian

Alex Yarijanian is a visionary healthcare executive with over 15 years of experience in healthcare strategy, payer-provider relations, and value-based care models. As CEO and Founder of Carenodes, Alex has led efforts to integrate nonmedical services into healthcare, promoting a biopsychosocial model that focuses on holistic patient well-being. This initiative has reached 51 million Americans, supported by $1.5 billion in funding for innovative healthcare technologies.

In his role as Enterprise Leader for Value-Based Care and Payer Contracting at Mahmee, Alex spearheaded national expansion and contracting initiatives, negotiating partnerships with major payers across 43 states, saving $58 million for a Medicaid plan by reducing C-section rates.

His strategic insights have also driven significant operational efficiencies at Neuroglee Therapeutics, where as Senior VP, he enhanced Alzheimer’s and cognitive care services through digital therapeutics, expanding payer networks by 95%.

Alex’s career is marked by a commitment to healthcare as a right, advocating for patient-centered, equitable healthcare systems. His educational background includes a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from California State University, Long Beach, and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of California, Riverside.