Three Nebraska Federally Qualified Health Centers were each awarded a $25,000 grant by UnitedHealthcare to support efforts that improve coordination of physical and behavioral health care services.
The grants were presented today to Good Neighbor Community Health Center (Fremont), Midtown Health Center, Inc. (Norfolk), and OneWorld Community Health Centers, Inc. (Omaha), at Good Neighbor Community Health Center. Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts, FQHC representatives, Nebraska DHHS officials and community leaders demonstrated their shared commitment to improving care coordination for the state's most vulnerable patients, and illustrated how these community-based partnerships make a positive impact on the people they serve.
An estimated 62,000 adults in Nebraska have a serious mental illness and 134,000 Nebraska adults are affected by drug and alcohol abuse, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
"Our community health centers are a vital component of our health care system because they serve some of Nebraska's most vulnerable citizens. My administration has successfully advocated for our community health centers, and I am excited to see significant private-sector support for these important institutions. These grants will provide the clinic here in Fremont, as well as the other recipients in Norfolk and Omaha, with better tools and resources to improve health for the people living in their communities," said Gov. Ricketts.
In April, Gov. Ricketts announced a new behavioral health "System of Care" for children that will integrate and streamline behavioral health services to better meet the needs of children across the state.
UnitedHealthcare is building on this commitment, funding innovative approaches to care coordination. These grants are part of UnitedHealthcare's ongoing effort to identify and support organizations in Nebraska that help families, young parents and children live healthier lives.
Bringing This Work to Life
Good Neighbor Community Health Center will use its $25,000 grant to provide behavioral health screenings for every patient 12 years and older with follow-up specialty intervention as needed to identify and treat previously undetected conditions.
"During our initial days in Fremont, we have come to understand there is a great community need for affordable behavioral health services, and we are excited to be able to offer integrated behavioral health care through our partnership with Fremont Health," said Rebecca Rayman, executive director, Good Neighbor Community Health Center.
Midtown Health Center will use its $25,000 grant to improve care coordination between their medical clinic and partner organization Behavioral Health Specialists. This partnership will result in more patients with better integrated treatment plans customized to their chronic conditions.
"These funds and the support of UnitedHealthcare enable Behavioral Health Specialists and Midtown Health Center to integrate care for some of our most vulnerable patients," said Kathy Nordby, executive director, Midtown Health Center. "Each agency has a strong history of success, and the enhanced coordination of care will help patients achieve and sustain good health."
OneWorld Community Health Centers will use its $25,000 grant to serve patients at risk for depression, hypertension and other medical needs by providing culturally competent, integrated care coordination from a behavioral health care navigator.
"We are excited to pilot an innovative program with the support of UnitedHealthcare," said Andrea Skolkin, CEO, OneWorld Community Health Centers. "We look forward to leveraging the skills and support of behavioral health navigators to improve health outcomes and enhance patient care."
"We are grateful for the opportunity to support organizations that help individuals and families live healthier lives, and extend the reach of critical programs and services across our state," said Kathy Mallatt, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Nebraska.
UnitedHealthcare serves nearly 430,000 Nebraskans enrolled in employer-sponsored, individual, Medicare and Medicaid health plans with a network of 96 hospitals and nearly 19,000 physicians and other care providers statewide.
About UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people nationwide live healthier lives by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers, military service members, retirees and their families, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with 1 million physicians and care professionals, and 6,000 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company. For more information, visit UnitedHealthcare at www.uhc.com or follow @myUHC on Twitter.
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