ValueOptions Names Jason Bearden as CEO of Georgia Collaborative ASO

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Dec 01, 2014, 02:20 ET

NORFOLK, Va., Dec. 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- ValueOptions^®, Inc., a health improvement company specializing in mental and emotional wellbeing and recovery, announced today that Jason Bearden has joined the company as CEO of the Georgia Collaborative ASO. Mr. Bearden joins as part of a new administrative services only (ASO) contract with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) to provide administrative services in support of Georgia's public, fee-for-service, integrated behavioral health and intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) services system.

A highly respected leader in Georgia health care, Mr. Bearden joins ValueOptions from Highland Rivers Health, the largest public behavioral health and developmental disability safety net provider in Georgia. In his role as CEO, he was responsible for overseeing the successful delivery of mental health, substance use, and developmental disability services for more than 14,000 individuals across 12 counties. Prior to this role, he served as the COO of View Point Health, where he directed program improvement efforts to ensure optimal quality care, and led the establishment of an enterprise-wide electronic medical records system.

Mr. Bearden also served in the Georgia Governor's Office of Planning and Budget (OPB) as the Health and Human Services OPB Director, where he helped shaped state policy for the Medicaid program, PeachCare, State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP), and Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, just to name a few of his accomplishments. For his work, he was named a Georgia System of Care Recognition Awardee, an honor for individuals who have made a significant difference in expanding the work of system of care in Georgia.

In his new role, Mr. Bearden is tasked with overseeing ValueOptions' first business in Georgia, and will be responsible for ensuring a smooth delivery of services for individuals served by DBHDD, including the operation of a statewide crisis and access line; transition planning and care coordination; conducting utilization reviews and financial management; and implementing and enhancing quality management activities.

"In addition to his strong leadership background and business expertise, Mr. Bearden's knowledge on the state of Georgia's population, health care system and provider community is unmatched," said Mary Mastrandrea, ValueOptions' Senior Vice President, Public Sector Division. "I am confident that his responsive leadership and exceptional reputation will be a valuable asset as ValueOptions prepares to serve the citizens of Georgia."

With the addition of Georgia – a new market for ValueOptions – the company has expanded its public sector footprint and now provides behavioral health services for Medicaid-eligible individuals and other populations served by publicly funded programs in 18 states.

About ValueOptions^®ValueOptions is a health improvement company that serves more than 34 million individuals. On behalf of employers, health plans and government agencies, we manage innovative programs and solutions that directly address the challenges our health care system faces today. A national leader in the fields of mental and emotional wellbeing, recovery and resilience, employee assistance, and wellness, ValueOptions helps people make the difficult life changes needed to be healthier and more productive. With offices nationwide and a network of more than 130,000 provider locations, ValueOptions helps people take important steps in the right direction. We help them live their lives to the fullest potential. Visit www.valueoptions.com for more information.

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SOURCE ValueOptions