Smoky Mountain LME/MCO Information

Smoky Mountain LME/MCO is a public managed care organization that oversees Medicaid, state and local funding and offers a comprehensive health plan for individuals and families in need of mental health, substance use or intellectual /developmental disability services. Smoky manages prevention, treatment and crisis services in 23 counties in western North Carolina. Smoky maintains regional offices in Sylva, Asheville, Boone, Lenoir and Waynesville. Smoky' s health plan covers eligible individuals in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Caldwell, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties. Smoky is a local government agency referred to as a local management entity/managed care organization (LME/MCO), which means it manages services for people enrolled in Medicaid and those who do not qualify for Medicaid or have other insurance. Although Smoky does not provide services directly, it ensures people who need treatment receive quality care in a timely manner. These services are delivered by a network of private providers who contract with Smoky. By maintaining a network of more than 650 highly qualified providers, responding to individual and family needs on a local level and effectively managing public service dollars, Smoky is showing every day how public managed care benefits both people who receive services and the taxpayers of North Carolina. Smoky operates a 24-hour call center available to anyone with concerns or questions about mental health, intellectual/developmental disability or substance use. Smoky educates the community about these issues and how to seek help through a robust public outreach program.