To: SMC Providers
From: Brian Ingraham, CEO of Smoky Mountain Center LME
Subject: Announcement of Closing of New River Behavioral HealthCare
Date: September 29, 2011
Smoky Mountain Center learned today that New River Behavioral Healthcare, a major service provider in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Watauga and Wilkes Counties, has decided to cease operations. New River Behavioral Healthcare has a long history of providing services to individuals with mental health, substance abuse, and intellectual and developmental disability needs.
Smoky Mountain Center is committed to an orderly transition of services from New River to other providers. The LME will actively manage the transition of consumers and their services to other service provider organizations, and begin working closely with New River Behavioral HealthCare, county government, and communities to promote close communication around the transition of care for these vital behavioral health services. We are committed to an orderly transition that meets consumers’ needs.
SMC is gathering information and actively developing plans to provide continuity of care to consumers and to facilitate employment opportunities for New River staff with other provider organizations. We will keep you informed as plans for the transition are developed. Thank you for keeping consumers’ needs as our highest priority.
Please contact the Smoky Mountain Center Access Center at 1-800-849-6127, if you are experiencing consumer care issues. Please contact your SMC contract manager (828-586-5501 or providerinfo@smokymountaincenter.com<mailto:providerinfo@smokymountaincenter.com>) if you have provider specific questions.
Provider Network Department
Smoky Mountain Center
44 Bonnie Lane
Sylva, NC 28779
Phone: 828-586-5501
Provider Phone Line: 1-866-990-9712
providerinfo@smokymountaincenter.com<mailto:providerinfo@smokymountaincenter.com>
www.smokymountaincenter.com<http://www.smokymountaincenter.com/>
