Cabarrus, Union and Stanly Counties Make the Move to Partners

Gastonia, NC [September 1, 2021]– Effective today, Partners Health Management is managing intellectual/developmental disability, mental health and substance use care for residents in Cabarrus, Union and Stanly counties who receive specialized Medicaid and State-funded services.

Over 18,000 individuals with Medicaid enrollment through Cabarrus, Union and Stanly counties whose care was managed by Cardinal Innovations Healthcare were automatically transitioned to Partners on Sept. 1, 2021. Medicaid recipients currently receiving services through Medicaid Managed Care are not affected by this change.

Rhett Melton, CEO of Partners, said, “We welcome our new members in Cabarrus, Union and Stanly counties. Each person and each community is unique, and we are honored to have the opportunity to partner with members, families, providers and stakeholders to bring the highest quality care to the residents in our new counties.”

Members affected by the transition will receive new Medicaid cards in September and can continue to use their current card until that time. Partners has added approximately 170 providers over the last 10 months to ensure that members may continue to see the same providers and maintain continuity of care.

Over the past three months, Partners has held a number of information sessions for members, service providers and community groups to answer questions about the transition. The events are available for on-demand viewing at www.partnersbhm.org/county-realignment.

In fall of 2020, the Boards of County Commissioners for Cabarrus, Union and Stanly counties asked the NC Department of Health and Human Services to “realign,” or join, Partners Health Management. In April 2021, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services roved Cabarrus and Union’s requests; Stanly County’s request was approved in May.

ABOUT PARTNERS

Partners Health Management is a leading local managed care organization (LME/MCO), providing access to care for central and western North Carolina’s most vulnerable citizens. Partners manages Medicaid, state and local funding for intellectual/developmental disabilities, mental health and substance use disorder (IDD/MH/SUD) services in our covered areas.

We are recognized across North Carolina for our Partners Community Model and unwavering commitment to the counties and the families we serve. Through our steadfast community focus and longstanding partnerships with local stakeholders, agencies and elected officials, our members receive the care and support they need.