The Behavioral Health I/DD Tailored Plan is intended to serve eligible individuals who need certain services to address serious mental illnesses, emotional disturbances, substance use disorders, I/DDs or traumatic brain injuries. The updated implementation schedule recognizes community concerns that the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to an increased need for behavioral health and I/DD services, which has placed added pressures at the state, Local Management Entity-Managed Care Organization (LME-MCO) and provider levels, NCDHHS announced in a Nov. 15 news release. The updated implementation schedule will help balance the need to ensure a successful Tailored Plan launch with the imperative to provide high quality care to current beneficiaries.

NCDHHS said its goal remains to ensure a seamless and successful experience for LME-MCO enrollees, their families and advocates, providers and other stakeholders who are committed to improving the health of North Carolinians. Beneficiaries who are in NC Medicaid Direct or the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Tribal Option and receive behavioral health, I/DD or traumatic brain injury services from a current LME-MCO, such as Sandhills Center, will continue to receive care in the same way until the Tailored Plans launch on Dec. 1, 2022. Providers will continue to prepare for the transition to Tailored Plans. 

On July 26, 2021, NCDHHS announced the selection of seven organizations to serve as Behavioral Health I/DD Tailored Plans. For more information, visit the NC Medicaid Transformation to Managed Care website.