Health insurance administrator collaborates with Sober Sidekick

Arkansas Health & Wellness, administrator of Ambetter health insurance, is partnering with Sober Sidekick, a Bentonville-based digital platform and social network for maintaining sobriety, to expand access to addiction recovery support across Arkansas, according to a news release.

The collaboration aims to reduce relapse rates and provide peer support for those battling substance use disorder in the state, especially those who are underserved, geographically isolated or unengaged with traditional recovery services.

“We believe this partnership has the potential to greatly impact addiction recovery in Arkansas,” said John Ryan, Arkansas Health & Wellness plan president and CEO. “Together, with Sober Sidekick, we’re not only increasing access to resources but also fostering a supportive community to engage and empower individuals on their recovery journey.”

The partnership will leverage Sober Sidekick’s peer-driven digital community to promote recovery and provide support. Sober Sidekick will use its platform to connect people with tools and resources in their communities. The partnership, by gathering and analyzing behavioral insights, will allow for “more proactive and supportive care,” the release shows. The collaboration “seeks to improve health outcomes, reduce health care costs and ultimately save lives.”

“Our mission is to ensure no one faces addiction recovery alone,” said Chris Thompson, CEO and co-founder of Sober Sidekick. “This collaboration allows us to scale our efforts and make a measurable impact in Arkansas, empowering individuals to write their own comeback stories. Together, we can help more people overcome challenges, reclaim their lives, and support Arkansas Health & Wellness in delivering even greater value to its Ambetter members.”