UPMC Center for High-Value Health Care Awarded $1.75M Grant to Address Behavioral Health Among Perinatal Individuals in Chautauqua County, NY

Pittsburgh (Nov. 13, 2024) – UPMC Health Plan announced today that the UPMC Center for High-Value Health Care (the Center) was recently awarded a five-year, $1.75 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to support the development of a telehealth network that improves behavioral health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum individuals in Chautauqua County, New York.

Ranked 56 out of New York's 62 counties in terms of healthy places to live, Chautauqua County residents experience higher than average rates of mental health and substance use conditions, behavioral health hospitalizations, perinatal depression, premature birth, and neonatal abstinence syndrome. The county is also a HRSA-designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA). The designation identifies geographic areas, facilities, or populations that have a shortage of health professionals.

Untreated or undertreated behavioral health conditions pose significant risks to the maternal health, family well-being, and societal stability of perinatal individuals.

"Developing a robust telehealth network is crucial for improving behavioral health outcomes among pregnant and postpartum individuals in rural and underserved communities," said Diane Holder, president, and CEO of UPMC Health Plan. "By leveraging technology, we can bridge the gap in access to essential behavioral health services, ensuring that every pregnant and postpartum person receives the support they need, regardless of their location."

"This initiative not only enhances the well-being of the individual parent, but also fosters healthier families and communities," she said.

This project will address perinatal and behavioral health disparities by leveraging the robust perinatal tele-behavioral health and collaborative care infrastructure established by UPMC Magee-Womens Behavioral Health Services.

"Our providers are acutely aware of the need for high-quality, specialized perinatal behavioral health services to improve maternal and pediatric health outcomes in Chautauqua County. We are eager to participate in this program to expand accessible care so our perinatal patients can get the help they need to care for themselves and their growing families," said Francis P. Foti, MD, president, Great Lakes Physician Practice.

Funding will be used to integrate and evaluate the effectiveness of telepsychiatry services and enhance collaboration with the existing health care infrastructure at three practice sites: UPMC Chautauqua Behavioral Health, UPMC Chautauqua Women's and Maternity Care Center, and Jamestown Area Medical Associates—Great Lakes Physician Practice.

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About the UPMC Center for High-Value Health Care

Established in 2011, the UPMC Center for High-Value Health Care (Center) advances the health and health care of the members, patients, and communities that UPMC serves by generating new knowledge and insights through real-world health services research and program evaluation. For more than a decade, the Center’s work has helped UPMC keep pace with the ever-evolving health care landscape. In conjunction with the Centers for Value-Based Pharmacy Initiatives and Social Impact, the Center team has grown and broadened partnerships to support UPMC with addressing pressing health care challenges. In collaboration with members and other stakeholders, the Center takes a data-driven approach to shape and inform the important questions it seeks to answer.

About UPMC Insurance Services

The UPMC Insurance Services Division serves more than 4 million members and is owned and operated by UPMC, a world-renowned health care provider and insurer in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The UPMC Insurance Services Division provides commercial products through UPMC Health Plan for both groups and individuals. Its commercial products also include workers' compensation and employee assistance from nationally known Workpartners^®. Government products include Medicare Advantage plans (UPMC for Life); special needs plans for those who are eligible for Medicare and Medical Assistance (UPMC for Life Complete Care and UPMC Community HealthChoices); a Medical Assistance plan (UPMC for You); and Children's Health Insurance Program plans (UPMC for Kids). Community Care Behavioral Health Organization—one of the nation's largest nonprofit managed care behavioral health organizations—is also part of the Insurance Services Division. Community Care offers a full range of services to commercial and Medical Assistance members. For more information, visit upmchealthplan.com.

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