UCS Healthcare

What UCS Healthcare does

UCS Healthcare is an Iowa-based, nonprofit healthcare organization headquartered in West Des Moines that delivers integrated medical and behavioral health services to individuals across the state. Its core offering centers on Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for opioid and alcohol use disorders — combining methadone or suboxone with counseling — augmented by outpatient substance use disorder therapy, mental health and psychiatric services, LGBTQIA+ medical care, gambling addiction treatment, peer recovery coaching, suicide awareness programs, medical CBD, and primary care. UCS describes itself as Iowa's largest local MAT provider and was among the first in Iowa (and the U.S.) to open medication units at partner sites, holding CARF accreditation and membership in the IDPH Integrated Provider Network with funding from Iowa DPH and SAMHSA.

The organization operates 14+ clinic locations across Iowa (West Des Moines, Ankeny, Ames, Atlantic, Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Carroll, Clinton, Decorah, Fort Dodge, Iowa City, Knoxville, Ottumwa, Waterloo), a mobile clinic, and a telehealth service supported by a Netsmart-powered patient portal for bill pay, messaging, scheduling, consent signing, and financial assistance requests. Service delivery is direct, with walk-in substance use disorder intake assessments (30-60 minute same-day intakes) plus scheduled appointments, both in-person and virtual. MAT medication units are embedded within partner facilities operated by certified treatment providers (e.g., Community and Family Resources in Ames), enabling a partner-distributed rural reach model.

Revenue mechanics combine third-party insurance reimbursement (most major plans plus Medicaid/Medicare for approved services), a sliding-scale fee schedule pegged to patient income, private self-pay, and direct state/federal grant funding from the Iowa Department of Public Health and SAMHSA. Customer segments are individual patients (substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health conditions, LGBTQIA+ individuals, adolescents, and families of those with addiction) with no enterprise or B2B customer base. The leadership team includes CEO Jen Pearson, CMO Dr. Joshua Tessier (board-certified in Addiction Medicine), Medical Director Dr. Frank Filippelli, Clinical Director Ellaine Ballard (LMHC/CADC/NCC), CTO Brian Fonseca, and Chief Advancement Officer Julie Spicer.

Name

UCS Healthcare

Legal name

UCS Healthcare

Website

https://ucsonline.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

UCS Healthcare is an Iowa nonprofit, integrated medical and behavioral health provider delivering Medication Assisted Treatment for opioid and alcohol use disorders alongside mental health, psychiatric, LGBTQIA+, and primary care services across 14+ clinic locations, a mobile clinic, telehealth, and rural medication-unit partner sites.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Behavioral Health and Addiction Treatment Services

NAICS

Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420)

SIC

Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011)

akta.pro primary industry

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) & Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) (HLAFACAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Outpatient Mental Health & Counseling Clinics (HLAFABAC)

Keywords

• Behavioral health services
• Medication assisted treatment
• Substance use disorder treatment
• Outpatient mental health
• Integrated primary care

Headquarters

HQ city

Des Moines

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices14 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Healthcare Services Revenue: UCS Healthcare generates revenue through direct healthcare service delivery, accepting most medical insurance plans, private pay, and Medicaid/Medicare for approved services. They also operate a sliding scale fee system based on patient income.
2. Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Services: Revenue from MAT program services including methadone and suboxone treatment, counseling, and medication management for opioid and alcohol use disorders.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

UCS Healthcare delivers integrated medical and behavioral health services across Iowa, including primary medical care, mental health therapy, psychiatric services, and substance use disorder treatment. It is the largest provider of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) in Iowa, using methadone and suboxone combined with counseling to treat opioid and alcohol use disorders, delivered through 14+ clinic locations, six medication units embedded at partner treatment centers, telehealth, and a mobile clinic.

Product overview

UCS Healthcare is a comprehensive healthcare services organization providing integrated medical and behavioral health services across Iowa. The organization operates as a unified healthcare delivery system offering multiple service lines including primary medical care, mental health therapy, substance use disorder treatment (outpatient treatment, continuing care, relapse prevention, SAGE, Spanish-speaking groups), Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) using methadone and suboxone, LGBTQIA+ medical care, gambling addiction treatment, peer recovery coaching, psychiatric services, suicide awareness programs, medical CBD, and mobile clinic services. UCS Healthcare serves patients through multiple locations across Iowa and is the largest provider of Medication Assisted Treatment in the state. The organization also provides patient engagement through its Patient Advisory Group (UPAG) and offers telehealth options for mental health and psychiatric services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Medical Care Primary care services providing quality medical treatment, including acute and chronic illness management, immunizations, physicals, and preventive care, functioning as a patient's medical home for individuals across Iowa.
• Mental Health Therapy Outpatient mental health services including psychotherapy and medication management, offered as part of integrated treatment or as a standalone outpatient mental health service for individuals across Iowa.
• Outpatient Substance Use Disorder Treatment Outpatient therapy services for substance use disorders, including individual and group therapy sessions, forming a core component of UCS's integrated treatment philosophy.
• Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Specialized treatment program using medications (methadone, suboxone) combined with counseling to treat opioid and alcohol use disorders; available at West Des Moines and Ankeny full-service clinics and at six medication units co-located with certified partner treatment centers across Iowa.
• Continuing Care Ongoing support services for individuals maintaining recovery from substance use disorders following completion of primary treatment.
• Relapse Prevention Therapeutic services designed to help patients maintain sobriety and prevent relapse during recovery from substance use disorders.
• SAGE – Substance Abuse Group Education Structured group education sessions designed for individuals dealing with substance abuse issues as part of UCS's substance use disorder program.
• Spanish Speaking Group Sessions Substance use disorder treatment groups conducted in Spanish to serve Spanish-speaking patients.
• LGBTQIA+ Medical Care Medical care for all ages including full care for people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other identities, along with dedicated transgender support group programming.
• Gambling Addiction Treatment Specialized treatment services for individuals struggling with gambling addiction.
• Peer Recovery Coaching Support services provided by trained peer recovery coaches who have personal experience with recovery to assist patients in their treatment journey.
• Psychiatric Services Psychiatric evaluation and medication management services for patients with mental health conditions, delivered by board-certified clinicians.
• Suicide Awareness Suicide prevention services including awareness education and the SAFE Plan safety planning intervention for individuals at risk.
• Medical CBD Medical cannabis/CBD treatment services for patients with qualifying medical conditions.
• Mobile Clinic Mobile healthcare unit delivering medical care and substance use treatment services to underserved areas across Iowa.
• Telehealth Services Virtual healthcare appointments allowing patients to receive mental health therapy and psychiatric services via video, expanding access beyond physical clinic locations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 80% success rate when combining counseling with medication in MAT programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Polk County Health DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolk County Health Department partnered with UCS Healthcare to sponsor the Opioid Epidemic Video Series, providing financial support and collaboration to create educational content about the opioid crisis in Iowa. The partnership also includes involvement in the opiate task force and community-wide prevention efforts.
• Iowa Department of Public HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCS Healthcare is part of the IDPH Integrated Provider Network. Services are funded by the Iowa Department of Public Health, and UCS participates in the SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment) process.
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services SAMHSAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerServices are funded by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
• Community and Family ResourcescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCS Healthcare provides services at the Community and Family Resources facility in Ames, Iowa, sharing space and collaborating on substance use disorder treatment services.
• Certified Treatment Center PartnerscoreTechnology or IntegrationUCS Healthcare partners with existing behavioral health agencies across Iowa to embed medication units within their facilities. Partner organizations include certified treatment providers in Ottumwa, Burlington, Waterloo, Knoxville, Carroll, Fort Dodge, and Atlantic. These partners provide therapy services while UCS provides MAT medications and oversight.
• Iowa Harm Reduction CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner in the Opioid Epidemic Video Series, advocating for policy change and serving as a Naloxone distribution center.
• United Way of Central IowaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in opioid education efforts, with the 211 texting app providing access to opioid education resources and treatment information.
• City of Des Moines Fire DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipated in Opioid Epidemic Video Series, providing first responder perspective on the opioid crisis.
• City of Des Moines Police DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn off-duty member of the Des Moines Police Department is present at UCS Healthcare main facility to provide a safe environment for patients.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BayMark Health Services: The largest U.S. operator of Medication-Assisted Treatment and opioid treatment programs, with hundreds of outpatient MAT clinics across the country. Directly comparable to UCS in core MAT/OTP service line, with similar use of methadone and buprenorphine combined with counseling.
• CleanSlate Centers: Multi-state outpatient addiction treatment provider specializing in medication-assisted treatment for opioid and alcohol use disorders, combining medication with counseling and care coordination. Highly comparable to UCS's MAT clinic + medication unit model.
• BrightView Health: Outpatient addiction treatment provider operating MAT clinics across multiple U.S. states, integrating medication, counseling, and primary care services. Direct peer to UCS given its combined MAT + behavioral health + primary care delivery model.
• New Season: National network of outpatient opioid treatment and MAT clinics, now part of Acadia Healthcare, offering medication (methadone, buprenorphine) and counseling. Comparable to UCS's OTP clinic operations in West Des Moines, Ankeny, and Knoxville.
• Crossroads Treatment Centers: Outpatient MAT-focused addiction treatment operator with clinics across the Southeastern and Midwestern U.S., emphasizing medication management and counseling. Closely comparable in OTP/MAT service mix and patient population.
• Pyramid Healthcare: Regional provider of behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment, including outpatient MAT, mental health services, and integrated care. Comparable to UCS in its integrated medical/behavioral service line and outpatient SUD focus.

Broad incumbents

• Acadia Healthcare: Large publicly-traded behavioral health operator with a national network of inpatient and outpatient facilities, including substance use treatment programs (and ownership of New Season). Broader incumbent versus UCS but overlapping in OTP and behavioral health service lines.
• American Addiction Centers: National addiction treatment provider offering inpatient, outpatient, and MAT services with a focus on opioid and alcohol use disorders. Overlaps with UCS on outpatient MAT and integrated substance use treatment.
• Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation: National non-profit addiction treatment provider offering outpatient, residential, and MAT services with strong education and recovery content. Broad incumbent comparable in mission-driven, multi-modality SUD treatment.

Emerging players

• Eleanor Health: Tech-enabled outpatient addiction and mental health provider delivering MAT, therapy, and care coordination in a value-based model across multiple U.S. states. Emerging peer to UCS given overlap in outpatient MAT, integrated behavioral care, and outcome-driven delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ucshealthcare
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCplVsAf4PZPshcd-S9Ma-5w/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/UCSHealthcare
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ucshealthcare
• Instagraminstagram.com/ucs_healthcare

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about UCS Healthcare