A licensed independent mental health practitioner (LIMHP), providing behavioral health care in a rural primary care clinic in Saline County, Nebraska, reached out to the Mid-America ATTC to set the ball rolling on this project. Ten years ago, this LIMHP completed training in pediatric integrated care through the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). About 5 years ago, she established an independent practice and contracted with a hospital organization to provide behavioral health services in their primary care clinic. This provider and the hospital organization initiated discussions to enhance their knowledge on pediatric integrated care and explore a new integrated care business partnership. The hospital organization wanted to pursue a new type of business partnership in which the LIMHPs would be better integrated into their system in terms of workflow, referral, communication, and business operations. They recognized both the value of this LIMHP’s behavioral health practice as well as her interest in providing behavioral health care in a rural, underserved area. Saline County is designated as a geographic Mental Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) by the Health Resources & Services Administration.
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