Person County to join Vaya Health service region under Medicaid managed care

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The Person County Board of Commissioners has selected Vaya Health to manage publicly funded services for county residents with substantial mental health needs, substance use disorders or an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD).

Person County is currently served by Charlotte-based Cardinal Innovations Healthcare, one of the state’s seven local management entities/managed care organizations (LME/MCOs) for behavioral health and I/DD services. On June 1, Cardinal Innovations announced its plans to consolidate with Vaya, headquartered in Asheville, under Vaya’s leadership. The consolidation marks the fourth such endeavor for Vaya, having successfully led mergers with three other North Carolina behavioral health care organizations.

“Our priority throughout this transition is supporting the individuals and communities we are privileged to serve,” said Vaya President & CEO Brian Ingraham. “As we expand eastward into the Piedmont region, we remain committed to our approach of listening to members and community stakeholders and fostering local partnerships to ensure quality, person-centered care.”

The Vaya/Cardinal consolidation is expected to be complete by April 1, 2022, upon approval by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). However, the two organizations have already begun working together to transfer multiple business functions to Vaya at an earlier date. In July 2022, Vaya will launch its Behavioral Health I/DD Tailored Plan in the counties it serves as part of North Carolina’s shift to Medicaid managed care.

Under the Tailored Plan, Vaya will serve Medicaid beneficiaries and uninsured or underinsured residents who have significant behavioral health needs, as well as people who receive services through or are on waitlists for the N.C. Innovations and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) waivers. Vaya will also manage members’ physical health care, pharmacy services and long-term services and supports as part of “whole-person” care.

At least six other Piedmont counties¾Alamance, Caswell, Franklin, Granville, Rowan and Vance¾are also expected to transition to Vaya once the consolidation with Cardinal is complete. Vaya and Cardinal are committed to bringing the best of both organizations together to ensure the widest range of services, highest quality care and unparalleled commitment to local communities. For more information about Vaya, visit www.vayahealth.com.