Ep. 19 Advocacy, Compliance, and Differentiation in Behavioral Health with Nikki Soda

Update: 2025-09-23

Description

How can behavioral health programs set themselves apart while staying compliant and connected to policy shifts? In this episode, Jeff and Lee sit down with Nikki Soda, Executive Director of Sodas Consulting, to explore the intersection of advocacy, compliance, and sustainable growth in treatment.

Nikki shares lessons from her years with NAATP and TPAS, insights from visiting 100+ treatment centers nationwide, and her perspective on what truly defines a high-quality program. From the realities of LegitScript to the importance of payor alignment and local politics, Nikki offers practical guidance leaders can act on immediately.

Timestamps:

01:02 – Nikki's path into advocacy and her MS in Addiction Policy
04:35 – What separates great treatment programs from average ones
09:06 – Building a blueprint for treatment center excellence
11:03 – Compliance officers and the value of proactive systems
13:06 – The challenges and shortcomings of LegitScript
20:20 – Innovations in research and treatment (GLP-1 medications, university partnerships)
23:41 – Staying relevant to payors through UR, compliance, and outcomes
28:10 – Why local politics matter more than most programs realize

What You'll Learn in This Episode

How treatment centers can stand out by focusing on leadership, culture, and evidence-based outcomes.
Why compliance officers and utilization review staff are critical for staying prepared and payor-aligned.
Nikki's candid take on LegitScript, its shortcomings, and how providers can push for reform.
Innovative trends in behavioral health, from GLP-1s use in treatment to university research partnerships.
Practical strategies for building stronger advocacy and political relationships at the local and state level.