ITHACA, N.Y.—Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services (CARS) is now an affiliate of Cayuga Health System, bringing to a close a process that started about two years ago according to an announcement from CHS.
It’s another example of the flurry of activity from CHS over the last few months, including acquiring CARS and Family Medicine Associates, as well as receiving $1.5 million in funding from the Community Recovery Fund for a stabilization center planned for the Shops at Ithaca Mall location. CHS also announced the opening of a new office in Cortland last month.
CARS Communications Manager Brad Walworth said the new affiliation will not change who can access CARS’ services or what health insurance plans are accepted.
“The ‘affiliation’ means that we are now fully integrated as a part of Cayuga Health System and together we can better facilitate seamless coordination of all of the services our clients and patients need and receive throughout the health system,” Walworth said.
CARS has a facility in downtown Ithaca on West State Street, as well as a 60-bed facility in Trumansburg that houses men seeking in-patient addiction recovery services.
“We are excited to officially welcome Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services to the Cayuga Health family,” states Dr. Martin Stallone, President & CEO of Cayuga Health. “C.A.R.S. has been a valuable partner for many years. As we all work to address the growing problem of addiction in our communities, this affiliation enhances access and continuity of care. As health care providers, we need to make sure we have treatment and support resources available to the community. Although we have worked closely with C.A.R.S. for decades, this new relationship will bring a level of clinical expertise and services that provides continuity to patient care within the Cayuga Health System.”
CARS CEO Jessica Jansen said in an announcement that CARS has been preparing for this in a variety of ways, and that the relationship between CARS and CHS has been solidified over the years thanks to things like the appointment of Dr. John-Paul Mead, a former internist at Cayuga Medical Center, as the medical director of CARS last year.
“The C.A.R.S. team has been working closely with Cayuga Health to prepare for this affiliation so that this partnership is seamless for our clients and our team of experienced clinicians, nurses and counselors,” Jansen said. “I look forward to working as one system from this point on.”