About Us

Contact Us

(785) 628-2871

Main Office

208 E. 7th St.
Hays, KS

Crisis Hotline

(800) 432-0333

High Plains Mental Health Center is a licensed Community Mental Health Center, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic and licensed Substance Use Disorder treatment program dedicated to the aggressive pursuit of providing a comprehensive mental health program to the residents of Northwest Kansas. Embodied in this pursuit are fundamental principles of establishing quality services as close to home as possible, at an affordable fee, and delivered in the least disruptive manner available. Such services will offer a continuum of care so that treatment can be individualized, and our staff can respond quickly and compassionately to those reaching out to us.

Meet Our Team

Meet our administrative leaders and view a directory of our clinical and medical service providers. Our staff includes social workers, counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, and nursing staff to provide comprehensive services.

Our History

High Plains was created in 1964 through joint efforts of the County Commissions in Ellis, Rooks, Phillips and Norton counties. Kansas law gave local government the authority to create single or multiple county mental health centers.

Our Funding

Our funding is a mixture of federal, state, local, self-pay and insurance sources. The largest portion is from Fee for Service, The second largest revenue source is from the State of Kansas. We also receive funding from the counties we serve.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I schedule an appointment?

When you call the Center at (785) 628-2871, we will put you in touch with a mental health professional to help you get started.

What should I bring to my first appointment?

• Insurance card
• Verification of household income (W2s or last three pay stubs)
• Cost of any co-pays your insurance requires

If your insurance is provided through a family member, please have their Social Security number and date of birth available. We may not be able to access your insurance without this information.

Will insurance pay for services? How is billing done?

During your registration, you will be asked to provide information about insurance and income in order to determine your payment rate. Fees vary according to the services provided and are comparable to or lower than the cost of similar services in private agencies. High Plains is an approved provider for mental health services for many insurance providers. Our staff files claims to private insurers, Medicaid (Kansas), and Medicare. Clients without insurance may qualify for sliding scale fees based on income. Payment is expected at the time service is provided. Services are not denied based on ability to pay.

How do you verify insurance, so I know how much to pay?

Our staff is dedicated to make every effort to verify insurance benefits. However, what you will actually pay depends on your insurance policy fee. Most often we will not be able to get information regarding the fee from your insurance company prior to your visit. We highly encourage you to confirm that the High Plains Mental Health Center is “in-network” for your coverage and if not, does your policy cover “out-of-network” benefits for the High Plains Mental Health Center.

What is the policy for confidentiality?

Maintaining confidentiality is essential. Information you share with members of our staff will not be given to any other person without your written consent, or in special situations defined by law.

What can I expect when I call for services?

We understand anyone can experience mental health challenges at some point during their lives, and we will address your concerns without judgment — as the real health concerns they are. We will connect you with a therapist to get started, and you can expect an initial assessment. At your first appointment, our staff will work with you on reaching a diagnosis and setting recovery goals. We will then recommend a treatment plan and help you schedule future appointments as needed. Entry paperwork is required for new clients, including questions about the symptoms that are bothering you and family medical history. New clients are encouraged to come to their first appointment 30 minutes early for paperwork.

Service Locations

Full-Time Offices: Colby, Goodland, Hays, Norton, Osborne, Phillipsburg

Community Outreach Offices: Atwood, Hays, Hill City, Hoxie, La Crosse, Ness City, Oberlin, Plainville, Quinter, Russell, Sharon Springs, Smith Center, St. Francis, WaKeeney

Call: 800-432-0333

208 E. 7th, Hays, KS

Our Hours

Monday: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Tues. to Fri.: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Closed Saturday and Sunday