ASHEVILLE, NC – As 2025 unfolds, Vaya Health looks back on 2024 as a year of support for the members and communities we serve. Milestones included the launch of one of North Carolina’s four Tailored Plans for Medicaid beneficiaries, expansion of vital community-based programs, and compassionate, on-the-ground response to Hurricane Helene. Through these challenges and opportunities, Vaya remains committed to increasing access to care and improving health outcomes for the people and communities it serves across a 32-county region.
“From launching Vaya Total Care to supporting western North Carolina communities impacted by Hurricane Helene, 2024 was a year full of progress, dedication, passion, and resilience — all centered on those we serve,” said Tracy Hayes, Area Director and CEO of Vaya Health.
“We are committed to helping every member enrolled in a Vaya health plan live their life to the fullest. We look forward to strengthening our programs and partnerships throughout 2025 to better serve North Carolina communities.”
From statewide initiatives to local-level outreach across the communities it serves, Vaya helped provide critical programs throughout 2024, including:
Crisis Facilities
In 2024, Vaya partnered with organizations across the region to expand support for existing crisis facilities in Buncombe, Caldwell, and Haywood counties, as well launching new Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC) sites in three additional counties:
- Rockingham County: In April, Vaya and community partners opened a new BHUC in Rockingham County. Located in Reidsville and operated by Daymark Recovery Services, the BHUC is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and provides triage services, crisis risk assessments, and evaluations to individuals with urgent crisis response needs.
- Alamance County: In June, Vaya helped cut the ribbon on a new BHUC in Alamance County. Located in Burlington and operated by RHA Health Services, the center offers an array of mental health services, substance use recovery support, and services for individuals with intellectual/ developmental disabilities.
- Rowan County: In August, Vaya came together with community partners to celebrate an upcoming Rowan County BHUC. With plans for Daymark to open the facility this March, the center will provide 24/7 care to anyone suffering from a behavioral health crisis or simply needing help outside of business hours.
- Helene Response: Twenty-two of the 32 counties Vaya serves suffered devastation from Hurricane Helene. Vaya worked with state and local entities to mobilize resources immediately to support communities devastated by the storm. Guided by principles that prioritize people over processes, the response embodied the mission of North Carolina’s public system: to provide accessible, compassionate care for all residents, even in the most challenging circumstances. From maintaining 24/7 operational readiness and local community-based staff to ensuring basic needs were met, Vaya’s ongoing efforts highlight the unique strengths of a public system. Key actions included:
NC Tailored Plan Launch
In July, Vaya successfully launched an integrated NC Medicaid Behavioral Health and I/DD Tailored Plan, called Vaya Total Care. About 43,000 Medicaid beneficiaries with needs related to mental health, substance use disorders, intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD), and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are now receiving comprehensive, whole-person care that includes physical health, pharmacy, behavioral health, long-term services and supports that will support holistic, person-centered care planning through improved communication across care teams and robust care management.
Helene Response
Twenty-two of the 32 counties Vaya serves suffered devastation from Hurricane Helene. Vaya worked with state and local entities to mobilize resources immediately to support communities devastated by the storm. Guided by principles that prioritize people over processes, the response embodied the mission of North Carolina’s public system: to provide accessible, compassionate care for all residents, even in the most challenging circumstances. From maintaining 24/7 operational readiness and local community-based staff to ensuring basic needs were met, Vaya’s ongoing efforts highlight the unique strengths of a public system. Key actions included:
- Essential Care: Delivered critically needed gasoline, water, food, medicine, and other resources directly to providers, members, and communities in the immediate days following the storm. These deliveries were made by Vaya staff, who live and work in the communities impacted by Helene, with support from Vaya’s LME/MCO partners and other stakeholders who offered generous donations.
- Provider Support: Stabilized operations for over 1,000 providers with over $6.8 million in hardship grant payments across 3,443 sites, including residential facilities and opioid treatment programs, ensuring continuity of care for vulnerable populations.
- On-the-Ground Assistance: Deployed behavioral health professionals in shelters, distributed Narcan and other supplies, participated in multi-agency shelter transition teams to help people move to more stable housing, managed the Back@Home Helene housing program and the Hope4NC door-to-door resource program, and organized listening circles to address the emotional toll of the disaster.
Substance Use Prevention & NARCAN Distribution
As opioid overdoses continue to devastate communities, Vaya continued to emphasize its focus on substance use prevention and NARCAN accessibility across local communities. Through community outreach and vital partnerships with local officials and organizations, Vaya distributed 44,664doses of NARCAN.
Healthy Opportunities Pilot (HOP) Program
In May, Vaya began managing the HOP program for individuals enrolled in Vaya health plans across 16 counties. HOP aims to reduce healthcare costs by addressing the social drivers of health such as housing instability, food insecurity, and transportation barriers through innovative partnerships with community-based organizations. Vaya has already supported more than 1,000 members authorized for HOP services since the program launched.
Money Follows the Person (MFP) Program
In 2024, NCDHHS chose Vaya among several applicants for a statewide contract to administer Money Follows the Person (MFP) Transition Coordination Services to serve older adults and adults with physical disabilities. MFP helps eligible NC Medicaid beneficiaries living in long-term care facilities move into their own homes and communities with supports. Through the newly awarded grant as well as Vaya’s existing housing programs, Vaya helped 30 individuals move from institutional settings to community-based living options last year.
To stay up to date on upcoming programs, initiatives, and announcements surrounding Vaya Health, visit www.vayahealth.com
About Vaya Health
Vaya Health is a specialty managed care organization and local government agency that oversees publicly funded health care services across a 32-county region of North Carolina for people with significant behavioral health needs, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and traumatic brain injuries. Vaya manages Medicaid, federal, state, and local funding to meet member and community needs while advancing whole-person health. Together with members, contracted providers, and local partners, we’re moving forward to a healthier North Carolina. Vaya Health can be found online at vayahealth.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/VayaHealth/, on X.com (formerly known as Twitter) @VayaHealth, and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/vaya-health.
