Intermountain Health is operating two specialized behavioral health programs in Utah designed to provide medical and social support for individuals struggling with substance use disorders, according to recent information from the healthcare provider.
Maternal Addiction Support Services
The Peripartum Addiction Treatment and Healing program, known as PATH, is a state-funded initiative focused on treating substance use disorders during pregnancy and the 12 months following childbirth. Intermountain Health announced that the program is currently available for mothers delivering in Weber and Davis Counties.
For patients residing outside of those specific geographic areas, the provider stated it can assist in connecting individuals to community resources located closer to their homes.
Comprehensive Care for Mothers
The PATH program utilizes a multidisciplinary group of professionals who specialize in several areas of care. This includes the treatment of psychiatric diagnoses during pregnancy and managing substance use disorders for both mothers and infants who have been exposed to substances in utero.
Beyond medical treatment, the program provides access to recovery peers, birthing support, and counseling and educational programs that continue during and after pregnancy. Intermountain Health also coordinates connections to essential social resources, including food, housing, transportation, and baby supplies.
Available Treatment Locations
Intermountain Health offers universal screening for all mothers at clinics that will deliver at Intermountain hospitals serving the Davis and Weber County regions. For those requiring immediate medical withdrawal management, detox services are available through specific locations.
Available facilities for these services include McKay-\u2013Dee Hospital Labor and Delivery in Ogden, Wasatch OB/GYN - North Ogden, and the Wasatch GYN - Layton Parkway Clinic. Additionally, the Behavioral Health Access Center at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City and the Maternal Mental Health Unit at Alta View Hospital in Sandy provide specialized care options.
Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
A separate government-funded initiative, the COMPASS program—which stands for Community Outreach MAT Peer Addiction Support Services—focuses on helping patients manage opioid use disorder. As of March 2024, this program has been established to provide outpatient treatment through various community partnerships.
According to Intermountain Health, the COMPASS program provides medications to manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings, regular telehealth visits with mental health providers, and access to peer recovery specialists. The program also offers access to social work resources to assist patients with stability.
Financial Accessibility and Resources
The COMPASS program is designed to be accessible and affordable, particularly for those with limited financial means. Because the program receives federal government funding, it can pay for addiction medication for patients who do not have health insurance or have limited insurance benefits. The program also covers the full cost of all telehealth visits with COMPASS providers.
In instances where patients lack health insurance, the program assists in connecting them to community resources such as clothing, job training, education assistance, and help with food insecurity or safe housing.
Regional Program Coverage
The COMPASS program maintains a presence across several Utah counties through community partnerships. The counties currently supported by these partnerships include Box Elder, Cache, Davis, Rich, Morgan, Salt Lake, Washington, and Weber.
The program provides peer recovery coaches at no cost to the patient, with these services covered 100% by the program. Program officials, including Development Manager Ingrid Maughan and Nurse Practitioner Mandi Spens, have previously highlighted the value of these services in managing withdrawal and providing community-based care.
Ongoing Behavioral Health Support
Both programs are part of Intermountain Health's broader behavioral health offerings, which include specialized addiction medicine and recovery services. The provider continues to offer resources for those seeking long-term recovery and assistance with the health benefits of lifestyle changes related to substance use.
