Meridian Behavioral Healthcare

What Meridian Behavioral Healthcare does

Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community behavioral health organization founded in 1971 and headquartered in Gainesville, Florida, operating across 13 patient service centers in North Central Florida counties. It delivers a full continuum of mental health and substance use services — including 24/7 crisis stabilization (40 adult and 10 child beds), Mobile Response Teams, Co-Responder Teams with local law enforcement, residential treatment (Sid Martin Bridge House, the Recovery Center for adolescents, and the MIST program for pregnant and parenting women), outpatient counseling, medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder, integrated primary care, supportive housing (Joyce House, Transitions House, the Lodge), veteran services through the SSVF program with the VA, and diversion/recovery services for justice-involved individuals. Technology is operational rather than differentiated: Meridian uses a Mend-powered HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform for statewide Florida service delivery, an EHR system, and Cognito Forms for intake, with no proprietary AI or ML capabilities disclosed.

The organization's revenue model blends fee-for-service insurance reimbursement (commercial carriers including Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, Humana, Magellan, UnitedHealthcare; Medicare; and managed Medicaid plans such as Prestige, WellCare, and Sunshine), government block grants and contracts (Florida DCF, LSF Health Systems as the DCF managing entity, county commissions, and VA funding for SSVF), sliding-scale fees for uninsured clients with indigent care absorbed via DCF/LSF/county partnerships, and philanthropic donations collected through the website, the Daily Affirmation Card program, and events like The Amazing Give and Kendra Scott Give Back. Go-to-market is community-led and referral-driven: the central Meridian Access Center (352-374-5600) receives intake from agencies, families, individuals, providers, schools, courts, and law enforcement; Mobile Response Teams are dispatched via Baker Act and Marchman Act involuntary commitment processes; and outreach, Mental Health First Aid training, and school-based programs serve as top-of-funnel awareness builders. In 2026 the organization expanded its footprint via a partnership with the Lake Shore Hospital Authority to repurpose the former Shands Lake Shore Regional Medical Center in Lake City, backed by a $4 million renovation commitment.

Name

Meridian Behavioral Healthcare

Legal name

Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc.

Website

https://mbhci.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Meridian Behavioral Healthcare is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1971 and headquartered in Gainesville, FL, operating 13 patient service centers across North Central Florida delivering a full continuum of mental health, substance use, crisis, residential, housing, veteran, and integrated primary care services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Behavioral Healthcare Services

NAICS

Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (6232), Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Offices of Physicians, Mental Health Specialists (621112), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Residential Mental Health Treatment Centers (HLAFACAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Behavioral Health Crisis Services Management (988/Hotlines/Mobile Crisis Coordination) (HLAEAHAK), Integrated Primary Care in Behavioral Health Settings (HLAFAGAM)

Keywords

• Behavioral health services
• Mental health treatment
• Substance use treatment
• Crisis intervention
• Community mental health

Headquarters

HQ city

Gainesville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices24 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Insurance Reimbursement: Meridian accepts commercial insurance (Aetna, AvMed, BCBS, Cigna, Humana, Magellan, Tricare, UnitedHealthcare, ValueOptions, etc.), Medicare, Medicaid (including managed care plans and Medipass), and disability benefits. Co-pays and deductibles are due at time of service.
2. Government Contracts & Block Grants: Meridian receives federal Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant funds. Services are funded through contracts with the Florida Department of Children & Families (DCF), LSF Health Systems (DCF managing entity), and county commissions. Some programs (e.g., SSVF) are entirely VA-funded.
3. Sliding Scale Fees & Financial Assistance: Income-based payment options and flexible payment plans for uninsured or underinsured patients. Indigent care is available through partnerships with DCF, LSF Health Systems, local County Commissions, and other contracted community agencies. Limited uncompensated care is provided for those without ability to pay.
4. Donations & Philanthropy: The organization operates a 501(c)(3) and accepts donations through its website (Blackbaud adaptive donor form), in-person giving, and events like The Amazing Give and Kendra Scott Give Back. Donors can purchase Daily Affirmation Cards ($25 minimum) with proceeds supporting the organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Meridian Behavioral Healthcare is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community behavioral healthcare provider serving North Central Florida through 13 patient service centers. It delivers an integrated continuum of mental health and substance use disorder services, including 24/7 crisis intervention (Mobile Response Teams and Crisis Stabilization Units), residential treatment, outpatient counseling, Medication-Assisted Treatment, telehealth, primary care, supportive housing, veteran services, and prevention education for adults, children, adolescents, and families.

Product overview

Meridian Behavioral Healthcare is a comprehensive community behavioral health organization providing mental health and substance use services throughout North Central Florida. The organization operates a multi-level care model encompassing Crisis Services (Mobile Response Teams, Crisis Stabilization Units, Addictions Receiving Facility), Residential Services (The Sid Martin Bridge House, The Recovery Center, MIST program), Outpatient Services (psychiatric services, counseling, MAT, child and family services), Housing programs (Joyce House, Transitions House, The Lodge), Telehealth (HIPAA-compliant video conferencing via Mend platform), Veteran Services (SSVF), Prevention Services (Mental Health First Aid training), Primary Care Clinic, and Diversion and Recovery programs for forensic populations. The organization serves 13 counties with 13 patient service centers, offering services from crisis intervention to long-term residential treatment, all delivered through evidence-based practices.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Crisis Services Emergency screening, crisis intervention, and 24/7 crisis stabilization for adults and children facing acute psychiatric episodes or substance use crises. Includes Mobile Response Teams, Crisis Stabilization Units, Addictions Receiving Facility, emergency screenings, and Co-Responder Teams.
• Residential Services Long-term residential treatment, counseling, support, and rehabilitation for adults and adolescents with substance use and co-occurring disorders. Includes Mother's Intensive Supportive Treatment (MIST), The Sid Martin Bridge House, The Recovery Center, and the Substance Abuse PICC Program.
• Outpatient Services Outpatient care for mild to moderate mental health and substance use challenges, including psychiatric services, counseling, group therapy, care coordination, homeless recovery services, medication-assisted treatment, child and family services, primary care, and diversion and recovery programs.
• Telehealth HIPAA-compliant video conferencing for mental health and substance use services, including individual and family therapy, assessments, psychiatric evaluations, and medication management. Available to Florida residents through the Mend virtual waiting room.
• Veteran Services (SSVF) Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program delivered in partnership with the VA, providing case management, housing assistance, benefits coordination, job training referrals, and temporary financial assistance for homeless or at-risk veterans and their families.
• Housing Programs Supportive housing for chronically mentally ill individuals and those at risk of homelessness, including Joyce House, Transitions House, The Lodge at Meridian, and the Neighborhood Stabilization Program.
• Prevention Services Mental health and substance use prevention education for the community, including Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Youth and Adult certification courses and a community training menu covering suicide prevention, Narcan, de-escalation, self-care, and harm reduction.
• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Opioid Treatment Program providing methadone, Suboxone, and Vivitrol for opioid addiction, with individual, group, and family therapy led by Board Certified Addiction Medicine physicians.
• Child & Family Services Comprehensive services for children and families, including assessments, evidence-based treatments (TF-CBT, motivational interviewing), school-based counseling, crisis stabilization, and the Children's Summer Program.
• Primary Care Clinic Integrated primary care services at the Gainesville location, providing physicals, health screenings, medication management, chronic disease monitoring, and care coordination for Medicaid recipients.
• Diversion and Recovery Forensic mental health services following the Sequential Intercept Model, including specialty courts (Mental Health Courts), competency training, forensic treatment, and peer support for individuals with mental health challenges in the criminal justice system.
• Crisis Stabilization Units Short-term stabilization for crisis and serious mental health issues with 40 adult beds and 10 child beds. Functions as a Baker Act Receiving Facility providing physical and psychiatric evaluations, medication, counseling, and discharge planning.
• Addictions Receiving Facility (ARF) Evaluation and treatment for substance use disorders, including medically-supervised detoxification for alcohol, benzodiazepines, heroin, and pain pills. Short-term services emphasizing safe withdrawal and education.
• Mother's Intensive Supportive Treatment (MIST) Multi-faceted residential treatment for pregnant and parenting women struggling with addiction, allowing infants to stay with mothers during treatment. Located at Sid Martin Bridge House with a 6-12 month residential component.
• Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training 8-hour evidence-based certification course teaching participants to recognize mental health risk factors and warning signs, covering Youth MHFA and Adult MHFA. Certification valid for three years through the National Council on Mental Wellbeing.

Quantifiable outcome

• Responds to crisis calls within 60 minutes via Mobile Response Teams across 10 counties
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Lake Shore Hospital AuthorityflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 May 2026Lake Shore Hospital Authority conveyed the vacant former Shands Lake Shore Regional Medical Center (368 NE Franklin St., Lake City, FL) to Meridian for repurposing into a comprehensive mental health community resource. LSHA committed $4 million in funding for repairs and renovations. This is a major facility expansion partnership.
• Veterans Administration (VA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMeridian partners with the VA through the SSVF (Supportive Services for Veteran Families) program to help veterans and their families who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness. VA funds the entire SSVF program at no cost to clients.
• Gainesville Police Department (GPD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGPD co-sponsors Co-Responder Teams pairing CIT police officers with master's-level mental health clinicians to respond to mental health crises in the community.
• Alachua County Sheriff's Office (ACSO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACSO co-sponsors Co-Responder Teams pairing CIT police officers with master's-level mental health clinicians. Officers are funded by ACSO; clinicians are funded by Meridian, DCF, and LSF Health Systems.
• LSF Health SystemscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLSF Health Systems is the DCF managing entity overseeing behavioral health services in the region. It funds MRT clinicians and co-responder teams. Meridian works with LSF to access DCF block grant funds and coordinate indigent care.
• Florida Department of Children & Families (DCF)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDCF provides regulatory oversight, licensing, and Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant funding. Indigent care is available through partnerships with DCF. Meridian's Baker Act and Marchman Act services operate under DCF framework.
• New Horizons PropertiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew Horizons Properties partners with Meridian to offer housing specifically for individuals who are Chronically Mentically Ill (CMI). HUD defines CMI as persons with severe and persistent mental or emotional impairment that substantially limits independent living.
• Mend (Mend Family)coreTechnology or IntegrationMeridian uses Mend's HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform for teleconferencing and virtual waiting rooms. New clients schedule via portal.mendfamily.com. Mend provides customer support to clients via its help center.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Aspire Health Partners: Central Florida-based nonprofit behavioral health provider offering crisis stabilization, residential treatment, outpatient counseling, MAT, and housing services. Closest operational analog to Meridian given comparable service mix and CARF-accredited nonprofit community model in the same state.
• BayCare Behavioral Health: BayCare Health System's behavioral health division providing inpatient, outpatient, crisis, and addiction services across the Tampa Bay region. Operates a similar integrated behavioral health continuum within a larger health system framework.
• Centerstone: National nonprofit behavioral health provider offering crisis, residential, outpatient, MAT, and veteran services across multiple states. Highly comparable to Meridian in service mix, CARF accreditation, and community-based integrated delivery model.
• Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services: Florida-based nonprofit providing behavioral health, substance abuse, housing, and community-based services. Operates a similar integrated nonprofit model with significant CARF-accredited behavioral health programming in Florida.
• Camelot Community Care: Florida-headquartered nonprofit providing mental health, substance use, and child welfare services with residential and outpatient programming. Comparable service breadth and population focus (children, families, justice-involved).
• Banyan Treatment Centers: National addiction and mental health treatment provider with residential, outpatient, MAT, and detox services. Comparable in residential SUD treatment scale and continuum-of-care model, though for-profit.

Broad incumbents

• LSF Health Systems: Florida Department of Children and Families managing entity that funds and oversees behavioral health services across Meridian's region. Functions as both funder and indirect coordinator rather than direct service provider, but is the most important systems-level counterpart.
• Acadia Healthcare: National for-profit behavioral health operator with extensive psychiatric and SUD treatment facilities. Represents the commercial-scale counterpart to Meridian's nonprofit model, demonstrating the broader behavioral health facility landscape Meridian competes within.
• Universal Health Services (Behavioral Health Division): Large diversified hospital and behavioral health operator with acute psychiatric and residential treatment facilities nationwide. Sets competitive and operational benchmarks for inpatient/residential behavioral health delivery.

Emerging players

• Charlie Health: Virtual intensive outpatient and mental health provider serving adolescents and adults. Represents the emerging telehealth-native competitor that could encroach on Meridian's outpatient and adolescent SUD/mental health share within Florida.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@meridianhealthcareMBHCIdotorg
• Xx.com/mbhci

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 Meridian Behavioral Healthcare