Optum joins Aetna in dropping Cerebral

Optum is canceling in-network services with mental health startup Cerebral in August, a spokesperson for UnitedHealth Group's behavioral health arm told Business Insider on June 13. 

It is the second contract cancellation Cerebral has been hit with in less than a week. Cerebral CEO David Mou, MD, told employees June 8 that Aetna is canceling its in-network contract effective Aug. 21. 

The cancellations come after Cerebral received a federal subpoena May 4 related to possible violations of the Controlled Substances Act, according to the report. The law regulates the prescribing of medications that have potential for abuse and dependence, including stimulants and benzodiazepines. Cerebral confirmed to Becker's on June 2 that it will initiate layoffs amid the federal probe. Employees will be notified by July 1. 

Cerebral told Business Insider that UnitedHealth Group had not informed them of plans to remove its services from the payer's covered networks.  

Anthem said it is still working with Cerebral's medical group and will continue to cover the startup's services, according to the report. 

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