CNY Behavioral Health Care Collaborative forms Omnes IPA

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Central New York Behavioral Health Care Collaborative (CNY BHCC) has announced the formation of Omnes IPA (Independent Practice Association).

CNY BHCC describes Omnes IPA as the “next chapter” for the organization, representing an “exciting opportunity” to further its work as a clinically integrated network and to improve health outcomes for individuals with mental health and substance-use disorders.

Omnes IPA was founded by the lead partners of CNY BHCC including Helio Health, Liberty Resources, Upstate Cerebral Palsy, and Inclusive Alliance IPA. The founders of Omnes IPA span the continuum of health care services including substance use, mental health, developmental disabilities, and social services.

Omnes is Latin word for “all” or “everyone.” It chose the name to “reflect our values as an organization.” CNY BHCC contends that better health care “takes more than one organization or one person. It requires a loyal, connected, and caring community. Omnes IPA strives to ensure person centered care, open access, and quality care to every member of the network.”

“Our partners have worked hard over the last three years to build the infrastructure for an integrated network that meets the needs of our community,” said Katie Weldon, who was named executive director of Omnes IPA. “Continued partnership through the formation of Omnes, creates future sustainability in ensuring quality, access and better outcomes for every individual we serve.”

Weldon had been serving as executive director of CNY BHCC.

“The hard work of many local organizations who have come together to partner with each other while putting aside competition to build a better system of care for people with substance use and mental health disorders has resulted in the formation of Omnes IPA to carry this work even further,” Jeremy Klemanski, chair of the Omnes board of managers and president and CEO of Helio Health, said.

Syracuse–based Helio Health is a member of Omnes IPA.

“Today’s formation of Omnes marks a milestone for our community,” Paul Joslyn, VP of the Inclusive Alliance IPA and executive director of AccessCNY, a partner in Omnes IPA. “Omnes is the next step in our community’s drive to ensure the most vulnerable Central New Yorkers have access to quality and comprehensive healthcare. As a community when we improve the health of our most vulnerable, we lift the health of our entire community. Omnes is just another step as local providers will continue to collaborate for the good of those we serve.”

About CNY BHCC  

CNY BHCC was formed in 2018 as part of the New York Behavioral Health Value Based Payment Readiness program. (BH VBP).

The BH VBP Readiness program created regional networks of behavioral-health organizations working together to share best practices, recognize efficiencies, and coordinate care for Medicaid enrollees.

CNY BHCC brought together more than 35 Medicaid providers in Central New York including Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, and Oneida counties.