Shawnee Mission board hears seventh-year report on Priority 1 health center; district cites increased use and strong cost-avoidance

The Shawnee Mission Board of Education on Jan. 22 received a data-heavy annual review of the district’s Priority 1 health center, which serves employees and covered family members and reported increased visits, expanded behavioral-health hours and an estimated multi-year cost avoidance.

The Priority 1 health center’s seventh year of operations ran February–July 2024, district staff said. ‘‘The health center continues to be a tremendous asset for our district and our district employees,’’ said Erin Eason, national director of clinical consulting practice for CBIZ, the center’s management partner, summarizing utilization and quality metrics.

The health center recorded 6,860 visits in the year reviewed, a 16% increase from the prior year, Eason said. Mental-health visits numbered about 1,060 and board presenters said engagement among employees…