FY 2024 behavioral health service expansion - north penn comprehensive health services (NPCHS) proposes a program to expand access to behavioral health services throughout the service area of tioga…

FY 2024 behavioral health service expansion - north penn comprehensive health services (NPCHS) proposes a program to expand access to behavioral health services throughout the service area of tioga and bradford counties in northcentral pennsylvania. The service area is very rural; the population per square mile is 37 in tioga county and 55 in bradford county, compared to the state population per square mile of 283.9. There are limited resources available in the service area for behavioral health services. Approximately 10.5 percent of the population is uninsured; 35.75 percent receive medicaid. According to uniform data system (UDS) mapper, over 14 percent of the adult population in this service area has no usual source of care, and more than 10 percent have delayed or not sought care due to cost. Much of the area is considered a health professional shortage area (HPSA). NPCHS will increase the number of patients receiving mental health services and increase the number of patients receiving SUD services, including moud, by implementing a comprehensive program at our 10 laurel health center sites. The program will utilize the following mechanisms: • an active approach to recruitment, including website updates, coordinated outreach, and recruitment tactics. • training and support for primary care providers prescribing and managing moud for individuals experiencing opioid use disorder. • a collaborative approach with other moud providers to ensure appropriate care for patients experiencing opioid use disorder. • care coordination for behavioral health patients to address underlying patient needs. • a triage program to complete assessments for patients in a more timely manner, freeing up counselor time for additional access. • an increase in the number of behavioral health providers at the laurel health centers. • improve integration of behavioral health providers and behavioral health care coordinators into primary care teams at laurel health center primary care sites. • improve primar Y care access to behavioral health medical providers to ensure proper and coordinated care. We anticipate increasing access from 16,400 encounters per year to 24,120 encounters per year, a capacity increase of over 35%.