Metro healthcare entities unite, launch connected network of health and social service organizations

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS), United Way of Greater Topeka and Stormont Vail Health have partnered with Healthify to launch the Northeast Kansas Community Network – a connected network of health care and social service organizations committed to transforming the current system of care and dramatically improving health outcomes in Northeast Kansas. The Northeast Kansas Community Network (network) is being funded through support from BCBSKS.

This community network strives to close the gap between clinical and non-clinical organizations. Through the Healthify platform and the network, healthcare providers and community resources are connected to provide whole-person care to the most vulnerable members of the community. The overall benefits of the network include stronger collaboration, better ability to measure and gauge impact of services, streamlined care coordination and an emphasis on value-based care.

“Our goal is to help reduce as many barriers as possible to accessing the resources needed to live a healthy life,” said Virginia Barnes, director of Blue Health Initiatives at BCBSKS. “We know that around 60 percent of health outcomes are due to social, physical, and environmental factors in our communities. This network will provide a stronger foundation for health that works with – not separate from – the healthcare systems.”

With this new network, a healthcare provider will be able to access the Healthify platform to search their community and surrounding communities for the resources their patients need and refer them directly to that community organization.

Stormont Vail is playing a vital role in the network as the leading healthcare provider in our community and a key starting point for many of the necessary referrals.

“Healthify will assist Stormont Vail Health care teams in completing timely referrals to community organizations to address and assist with the social needs of our patients,” said Amy Kincade, vice president, Population Health, Stormont Vail Health. “Using a referral system such as Healthify strengthens our community relationships to improve our patient’s health outcomes.”

The United Way of Greater Topeka brings together people, companies and nonprofits to create positive, sustainable change in our community – a purpose that aligns so well with the new Northeast Kansas Community Network.