Payor Relations Advocacy and Access Coalition (PRACC)
Our Payor Relations Advocacy and Access Coalition (PRACC) undertakes the task of representing behavioral health at the payer level and providing behavioral health and addiction centers with the tools and background to understand and survive in this dynamic market. We proactively and responsively facilitate appropriate private-payer advocacy for behavioral health care. We establish talking points and represent NBHAP in an exchange of information with those involved in making decisions about public and private payer activities affecting addiction and brain health-related health care at the state and federal level levels.
The Payor Relations Advocacy and Access Coalition (PRACC) is one of our newest committees. We seeks to develop a database for our region on payer activities and create a "tool kit" for our members to use when dealing with payers. The lifeblood of our business is dictated by these payers; creating a better understanding of behavioral health and addiction care for them and helping members disseminate that message is key to growing our centers.
There are multiple ways you can help others to change their lives.
- To monitor payment issues.
- Establish relationships with third party payers.
- Provide tools for behavioral health as a background of knowledge to survive in this market.
NBHAP Committee Members
Committee Chair: Elizabeth Steele (CCAPP Representative)
Elizabeth Steele
With an extensive career spanning 15 years in the field of substance use disorder treatment, Elizabeth serves as the Executive Director of Wellness Recovery Center, a role to which she brings a wealth of expertise, dedication, and a profound commitment to transforming the lives of women struggling with disordered eating.
As a CCAPP board member and the Chair of the Payor Relations Committee, Elizabeth hopes to build thoughtful systems that solve problems, spark growth, and create hope. Driven by curiosity and bold action, she seeks to explore what is possible, challenge the status quo, and design structures that empower people and ideas to move forward with purpose.
Stakeholder Team
Stakeholder Chair: Devon Wyatt
Devon Wayt
Devon Wayt is the CEO and Founder of Circa Behavioral Healthcare Solutions. It aims to democratize effective behavioral health. Its leaders remain forever close ("Circa") to their higher purpose which is fueled by a relentless drive to help and protect the vulnerable population in need of services.
With more than nineteen years’ experience operating behavioral health treatment and recovery organizations, Devon's expertise ranges from quality and compliance, operations and change management. He graduated from Pepperdine University's Graziadio School of Business and Management in Southern California where he earned a BS in management and an MBA.
Paul Alexander
Paul Alexander
Paul Alexander is the CEO, president, and founder of Northbound Treatment Network in Newport Beach, California. With over 27 years in behavioral healthcare, Paul brings deep expertise in integrated treatment for substance use and mental health disorders along with a passion for organizational health and transformational leadership.
A pioneer in collegiate-based residential treatment, Paul authored a research study at the University of California validating this innovative model. His experience spans clinical development, operations, strategy, marketing, and financial planning--making him a respected leader in both care delivery and organizational growth.
Paul holds a BA in criminology, law, and society from UC Irvine (Summa Cum Laude), a JD from Loyola Law School, and a Certified Addiction Treatment Specialist designation from Saddleback College where he was honored with the Outstanding Alumni Service Award. He currently serves on the board of NAATP as well as The Family Recovery Foundation and CarePossible, both of which support treatment access for military families.
In long-term recovery himself, Paul is known for his integrity, vision, and personal commitment to the work. He lives in Orange County with his wife Silvana and their sons, Noah and Dean.
Wesley Heim
Wesley Heim
Wesley Heim is the Executive Director of Immersive Recovery.
Wesley’s approach to treatment and recovery is simple. Offer men the guidance, insight, and compassion they need and watch them grow. His personal journey through addiction and into a life of fullness in sobriety acts as a beacon of light to men from all walks of life. As program administrator and head of operations oversight, Wesley ensures that all of Immersive's clients are getting the treatment and tools to not only overcome addiction, but to excel in every area of life.
John A. Mills
John A. Mills
John A. Mills is a partner at the healthcare law firm Leech Tishman Nelson Hardiman, LLP.
John's regulatory compliance work focuses on key issues facing providers that could potentially impede their business operations. He advises clients on managed care and ERISA compliance, voluntary disclosures of possible Medicare over-payments, medical staff and peer review, analysis of business arrangements to ensure compliance with the anti-kickback and Stark laws, and provides regulatory guidance to covered entities and contract pharmacies in connection with the federal 340B program.
Harry Nelson
Harry Nelson
Harry Nelson is a partner at Leech Tishman Nelson Hardiman, as well as the founder of the National Behavioral Health Association of Providers.
Beyond his legal expertise, Harry is known nationally as a consummate leader at the intersection of healthcare law and business, as evidenced by his role in co-founding five healthcare-related start-ups in the last decade. Deeply immersed in healthcare transformation and innovation; he frequently speaks on cutting edge issues and the future of the industry itself. You can hear him on episode 5 of our podcast, Destination Change.
A national membership association that provides education and advocacy for those in the behavioral health and addiction treatment industries.
We are the leading and unifying voice of addiction-focused treatment programs.
