Mat-Su Regional Medical Center Adds Behavioral Health Intensive Outpatient Program and Partial Hospitalization Program
9/16/2025
PALMER, Alaska (September 15, 2025)—Mat-Su Regional Medical Center (MSRMC) has launched an intensive outpatient program (IOP) and (PHP) partial hospitalization program—a significant milestone in its ongoing efforts to expand access to behavioral health care in the Mat-Su Valley. The program provides structured, short-term mental health treatment in a non-residential setting, allowing patients to receive care while maintaining their daily routines.
Mat-Su Regional’s new IOP/PHP serves adults age 18 and older who are managing conditions such as mood disorders, post-traumatic stress, psychosis and other co-occurring diagnoses. Services are provided up to five days a week and include group therapy, individual treatment planning and support from a multidisciplinary care team.
"Our intensive outpatient program and partial hospitalization program bridges a critical gap in care for patients who need more than outpatient therapy alone but don’t require full hospitalization," said Hope Allison, behavioral health services executive director at MSRMC.
The IOP/PHP is located at 2480 S. Woodworth Loop, Suite 285, in Palmer, adjacent to MSRMC’s campus. To refer a patient, including physicians, mental health providers or the individual themselves call 907-861-6035. Most services are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance.
This expansion of services comes as MSRMC continues to respond to a growing behavioral health crisis in Alaska. In 2024, the hospital received 1,253 behavioral health referrals but was only able to admit 437 patients due to limited inpatient capacity. The new outpatient services will help stabilize patients, reduce hospital readmissions, and support successful transitions back into the community.
The IOP/PHP launch also aligns with MSRMC’s broader vision to enhance behavioral health services in the Valley. Earlier this month, the hospital—in partnership with the Mat-Su Health Foundation—filed a Certificate of Need (CON) application with the State of Alaska to build a freestanding, 45-bed behavioral health hospital in Palmer.
That facility would provide inpatient care for both adolescents and adults, helping to ease pressure on emergency departments and reducing the need to travel to access appropriate behavioral health services.
“The IOP/PHP reflects a meaningful next step toward our commitment to building a full continuum of behavioral health services right here in the Valley,” said James Bunch, interim CEO at MSRMC. “We’re hopeful that—with strong support from the community—we’ll receive state approval to move forward with building the dedicated inpatient behavioral health hospital that our region urgently needs.”
Public feedback is essential to advancing the proposed behavioral health hospital. Community members are encouraged to write a letter of support and share their experiences. To learn more about the CON application or submit a letter of support, visit www.LookForwardMat-Su.com.
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