Case Study: Pierce County expands access by 58%, cuts hospitalizations ~32% and saves millions with Optum360

Pierce County - Customer Case Study

Pierce County engaged Optum360 to serve as its Regional Support Network (RSN) to coordinate mental health care for roughly 203,300 Medicaid beneficiaries. The county’s challenge was to improve access, outcomes and community-based supports while managing limited funding—reducing hospitalizations, involuntary Treatment Act admissions and 30‑day readmissions, and expanding peer and crisis services.

Optum360 redesigned the RSN by integrating peer-delivered services, mobile crisis teams, a 24/7 Recovery Response Center and Recovery Line, a mobile integrated health clinic, a community re‑entry program, and cross‑system partnerships. Over five years Pierce County saw a 58.0% increase in individuals served; a 31.9% reduction in hospitalizations (~$12.1M estimated savings); a 32.6% decline in involuntary admissions (~$10.3M savings); a 32.1% drop in 30‑day readmissions (~$1.1M savings); inpatient bed days 22.5% below the state average (~$12.8M savings); and an 83% reduction in jail bookings among re‑entry program participants.

Pierce County