Sharp Health Plan to partner with OptumHealth Behavioral Solutions of California

On mental health and substance use disorder services in 2026.

Our current mental health and substance use disorder partner, Magellan HealthCare Inc.¹, has made a business decision to exit their health plan operations nationwide at the end of this calendar year. After a thoughtful RFP process, we are excited to share that we will partner with OptumHealth Behavioral Solutions of California (Optum Behavioral Health) as our new managed behavioral health partner for all lines of business with an anticipated effective date of Jan. 1, 2026².

Optum Behavioral Health shares our commitment to providing best-in-class mental health and substance use disorder services that are rooted in integration, quality, and innovation. They offer a larger behavioral health network and improved member experience through enhanced navigation and low acuity therapy alternatives as well as speed-to-care strategies.

Visit this page to learn more about our partnership. If you have questions, please contact our Provider Account Management team at provider.relations@sharp.com or 1-858-499-8330.

We will share more detailed information with you in December. In the meantime, please continue your current mental health and substance use disorder referral process. If you have patients with questions, direct them to our online behavioral health resource center for more information, or to our Customer Care team at 1-800-359-2002.