By Nicole Kujawski
Horizon Health Services launched a campaign in January to bring more awareness of its medical services unit to the community. Horizon is known primarily for its mental health and chemical dependency services. Its full range of services include:
The medical services unit of Horizon has been available for 20 years, but it recently started a campaign focusing on informing the community that there are more services available than mental health and chemical dependency.
“Because Horizon Corporation is thought of as, oh, ‘they do chemical dependency and mental health,’ everyone believes that in order to go there you probably have to have a diagnosis of mental health or chemical dependency,” said Paige Prentice, director of Residential & Primary Medical Services. “But if you just need to go see the doctor, you just go there like you would go to any other doctor.”
Appointments are preferred for these services but emergency situations can be addressed. Payment is through an insurance provider. The other outpatient services are separate from the medical services and those can be accessed by referrals or walk-in assessments, Prentice said.
Chemical dependencytreatment services are available for outpatient services as well as an intensive, residential drug treatment program. Some treatment services include:
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a family education program
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outpatient withdrawal risk assessment and detoxification
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adolescent/family treatment
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services for families/significant others/children of persons with chemical dependency
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individual and group counseling sessions
Mental healthservices include counseling clinics and rehabilitation centers. Both facilities offer supportive counseling, but the rehabilitation centers are more intensive. All services focus on the individual and their needs.
“Length of [treatment] is determined by need and progress toward identified goals,” said Brenda Banach, senior director of outpatient services.
The vocational training is setup primarily for those with mental health issues or other dependency issues who desire to enter the workforce.
There are nine locations across Western New York, some of them specialize in certain areas more than others. The closest to Buffalo State College is at 699 Hertel Ave.
Most insurance companies cover these services, but checking with the insurance provider is recommended. A sliding scale fee can be arranged if ineligible for insurance when proof of income is provided, Banach said.
Contact the Central Intake Department of Horizon at 831-1800, or the specific site directly.
For more information, contact Nicole Kujawski at nicolekuj@yahoo.com
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