Expanding Youth Mental Health Care in New Jersey with Horizon BCBS

Finding the right mental health care for kids and teens isn’t always easy. Long waitlists, insurance barriers, and a lack of specialized providers can make an already stressful situation even harder for families. At Bend Health, we believe that getting the right support shouldn’t be a struggle, and we’re working to change that by making high-quality, collaborative mental health care more accessible to families across the country.

That’s why we’re excited to share that Bend Health is now in-network with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon BCBSNJ), helping more kids, teens, and young adults get the care they need, covered by their insurance.

Meeting a Growing Need in New Jersey

Like much of the country, New Jersey is facing a pediatric mental health crisis. Nearly 11% of kids in the state experienced anxiety or depression in 2020, an increase of 3% since 2017. Families are struggling to find timely, effective care, especially for complex mental health needs like ADHD, depression, and anxiety.

With this new partnership, Horizon members can access Bend’s full range of pediatric mental health services, including therapy, psychiatry, and neuropsychological testing, covered by their health plan. 

“As a psychiatrist and a mom, I know how heartbreaking it is to watch a child struggle and not know where to turn," said Dr. Monika Roots, Co-Founder, Chief Medical Officer, and President of Bend Health. "Too many families feel like they’re navigating this journey alone, stuck on long waitlists and unsure of where to get help. With Bend now in-network with Horizon, more families in New Jersey can get the care they need sooner—whether it’s support for anxiety, ADHD, depression, or the complex challenges that require neuropsychological testing.”

A Better Model for Mental Health Care

At Bend, we take a different approach to mental health care. Our collaborative care model brings together therapists, coaches, and psychiatric providers who work as a team to create personalized care plans tailored to each child and family. Research shows that care coordination and early intervention lead to better outcomes, and we’ve seen that firsthand in the nine peer-reviewed studies validating our approach.

By partnering with leading insurers like Horizon BCBSNJ, we’re ensuring that more families can access expert, in-network mental health care without the stress of long waitlists or high out-of-pocket costs. With this expansion, Bend Health now accepts all major insurance plans in New Jersey, reinforcing our commitment to making high-quality pediatric mental health care affordable and accessible for families across the state.

If you or someone you know is looking for mental health support for a child or teen, we’re here to help. Learn more at BendHealth.com.

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