Hythiam has entered into an agreement with Health Plan of Nevada, a UnitedHealthcare company and a health insurer in Nevada, to provide Catasys integrated substance dependence solution to its enrolled members.

According to Hythiam, eligible Health Plan of Nevada members affected by substance dependence will be covered under Catasys program, which includes medical and psychosocial interventions, and also a care coaching component over a 52 week period.

Health Plan of Nevada will pay it monthly fees for members enrolled into Catasys program. In cooperation with Health Plan of Nevada, it will enroll qualified members through outreach efforts and work with health plan staff to identify those members eligible for enrollment.

The company said that operational implementation has begun, and the program is expected to be launch in third quarter of 2010 with cash flow expected to start shortly thereafter.

In addition, the company expects this agreement and an earlier agreement with a self-insured employer to facilitate adoption of Catasys program by other health plans.

Rick Anderson, president and COO of Hythiam, said: “We believe that the agreement with Health Plan of Nevada is the beginning of a trend of adoption of Catasys, and will serve as a catalyst for other health plans seeking new solutions for reducing costs through better clinical outcomes.”