February 18, 2010

North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services, Division of Medical Assistance RFA # 2010-261 to Expand MBHO Pilot

The pilot program will enable North Carolina's Local Management Entities (LMEs) to operate as prepaid insurance health plans (PIHPs), managing both Medicaid mental health funds and the state general mental health funds on a capitated basis and assuming responsibility for prior authorization duties. Currently, the LMEs manage state general health funds on a capitated basis, but Medicaid services are paid on a fee-for-service basis, and prior authorization is managed by Value Options, the state's utilization review contractor. The North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services released the request for applications (RFA # 2010-261) on February 18, 2010. LMEs responses to the RFA are due April 14, 2010.