Supporting America’s Military
UHS prides itself on serving the military community. As a major provider under the TRICARE military insurance program, UHS has always recognized the need to provide behavioral health services to members of the military and their family members, said Car Evans, Senior Vice President for Business Development in the Behavioral Health Division.
Under TRICARE, UHS has long provided behavioral services to active duty service members and installations across the US and overseas. In 2010, as an evolution of those services and in recognition of the growing need, UHS recognized the great need for services within the military and as a result launched the Patriot Support Program, a national network of behavioral treatment centers, support staff and medical professionals dedicated to catering to the unique needs of active duty members, veterans and their families. The goal is to help all of these individuals cope with the emotional and psychological effects of combat, multiple deployments and separation from loved ones.
The program started as a collaboration with the nation’s military bases, as Patriot Support Centers were opened close to installations. The need for behavioral health services in the military is “a constant,” Evans said.
“We see a significant, continued need for those folks who have been in theater and have done tours and are back continuing to serve in various capacities,” he said. “We’re looking at a different military than 10, 20 or 30 years ago. Some issues may have been realized in combat, but soldiers are also presenting with existing behavioral health issues that may not have been born to them in the military.”
The Behavioral Health Division supports 160 military installations and VA hospitals across the U.S. and overseas. These are specialized facilities uniquely prepared to serve the military community – they’re not just civilian facilities treating military personnel, Evans stressed.
Fourteen Patriot Support Centers of Excellence operate units dedicated solely for military personnel, specializing in crisis stabilization and the treatment of substance addiction, post-traumatic stress and other conditions. Clinicians stay in close communication with commanding officers in hopes of helping service members honorably transition to stateside duty or civilian life.
In 2016, the division served more than 4,700 active-duty service members, veterans and their family members. “It gives me a sense of pride,” Evans said. “I am not a veteran, but my father served as an officer in the Navy, his father served and his father before that.” Evans and one of his siblings were born in Japan when his father was stationed there during his service.
Private networks seeking to provide high-quality services to the military and its veterans seek to employ providers who understand the armed services. That’s why UHS has made it a priority to hire veterans throughout the nation.