EVERGREEN HEALTH RECEIVES ADULT OUTPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC LICENSE FROM NEW YORK STATE’S OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH

Another milestone as organization looks to extend mental and behavioral health services

BUFFALO, NY—Today, healthcare organization Evergreen Health announced that it has received its Adult Outpatient Mental Health Clinic license from New York State’s Office of Mental Health.

“We’ve always known that mental health is a key component to overall health and wellness. Now more than ever, it’s important for us to strengthen our efforts in this critical area in our patient’s health journey,” said Khristopher Decker, vice president of behavioral health at Evergreen Health. “We are enthusiastic about this exciting step to grow our capacity in the behavioral health area within the many vital services offered at Evergreen.”

Evergreen’s new Adult Outpatient Mental Health (OMH) Clinic license will enhance its Center for Behavioral Health, which is focused on services pertaining to an individual’s mental state, emotions, and the patterns of behaviors they adapt to cope with adversity. The OMH license will broaden the organization’s mental health services and create a sustainable model of care for its existing mental health program. The license also includes a new insurance reimbursement model, which will allow Evergreen to eventually expand, enhance, and sustain group therapy, family services, medical assessments, and health education groups over the long term.

Since 2019, members of Evergreen’s Center for Behavioral Health have worked towards this important credential from the New York State’s Office of Mental Health, the state’s governing body that permits agencies to provide licensed mental health services in New York State. The Office of Mental Health also provides guidance on intake, policy and assessment, which positively impacts the quality of the services that agencies provide to patients.

The growth of Evergreen’s behavioral health services through an OMH license follows three recent and significant announcements for the organization:

• In December 2020, Evergreen announced that it had been designated as a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike (FQHCLAL) by the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA).
• In January 2021, Evergreen announced that The MOCHA Center of Buffalo will become a part of the organization, marking an expansion in its services for LGBTQ+ communities of color.
• In January 2021, Evergreen announced a partnership with People Inc. and the acquisition of People Inc.’s primary care clinic.

Evergreen Health fosters healthy communities by providing medical, supportive and behavioral services to individuals and families in Western New York – especially those who are living with chronic illness or who are underserved by the healthcare system.