The Arc of NC News: Public Forums Scheduled Across the State on "Managed Care" Waivers

There are changes being proposed to the disability service system that could radically alter the way people with intellectual and developmental disabilities receive services and supports. Please see the information below about the public forums that The Arc is hosting so that we can learn about and discuss these proposed changes to the DD service system.


The Arc is Holding a Series of Public Forums Across the State on "Managed Care" Waivers

Currently, PBH (formerly Piedmont Behavioral Health) is the only Local Management Entity (LME) operating under a combined 1915(b)(c) waiver, usually referred to as a "Managed Care" waiver. PBH covers Cabarrus, Davidson, Rowan, Stanly and Union Counties.

What are combined/managed care waivers? How do they work? How will they affect people with intellectual and developmental disabilities?
It is very important that we understand what these waivers are. The state has been clear on the intent to convert all of NC to these waivers. This will radically change our system into one that is fully controlled by regional managed care entities operated by the LMEs.

All of us: staff, families, and individuals with disabilities need to be knowledgeable participants in this discussion before the General Assembly returns in May.


Significant Changes include:

Flexibility of LME to determine rates and service definitions

Ability to ration service dollars to most critical services

Ability to limit provider network and other managed care benefits

Reduction in provider choice

Some protections associated with the Medicaid program could be reduced

The local nature of the service system could be lost

It is anticipated that the larger expansion of this model (statewide) will be accomplished by combining LMEs, not necessarily geographically connected

For more information on "managed care" waivers and the forums, please visit The Arc of NC's website at www.arcnc.org

Follow this link for details on the forums

For forum locations that already are using "Managed Care" waivers through PBH, The Arc will be collecting information from attendees on how the Innovations waiver is working for them.
March 4- Union County 

March 13- Wake County

March 16- Haywood County
March 18- Guilford County 

March 22- Durham County 

March 30- Rowan County 

April 15- Mecklenburg County

April 29- Craven County