Western Highlands requests space in new DSS building

by Leah Justice

Medicaid recipients in Polk County could have a new local office to receive services soon.

Western Highlands, Polk County’s mental health entity, has requested an office in the county’s new department of social services (DSS) building, which is scheduled to open soon.

Polk County Manager Ryan Whitson announced the request to commissioners during the county’s Monday, Nov. 7 meeting.

Whitson said since Western Highlands is part of the Medicaid waiver now, the organization will need a presence in Polk County. Polk’s Medicaid recipients will likely fall under Western Highlands in January, Whitson said.

Western Highlands requested an office in the new DSS building, located on Wolverine Trail, for two days per week. Whitson said if Western Highlands hires two employees, the organization could be in Polk County four days per week.

Whitson recommended that Western Highlands use one office at no charge. Some commissioners questioned whether the county should charge rent for the space. Whitson responded that Transylvania County allows Western Highlands to use space at no charge.

“I want them here,” Whitson said. “Western Highlands will work with some of our (Medicaid) enrollees and make sure they are getting proper services.”

Commissioners decided to receive a recommendation from the county’s mental health board prior to making a decision on whether to allow Western Highlands to use an office.

Western Highlands, a local management entity (LME) that serves eight counties, including Polk, agreed agreed earlier this year to join the Medicaid waiver program for mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse programs. The change, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2012, will mean that Western Highlands will administer Medicaid services, which are currently handled by the state.

The state decided last year to phase Medicaid services back to LMEs like Western Highlands, and all eight county commissions in Western Highlands agreed to join the program.

Western Highlands agreed this year to hire and train 54 employees to administer Medicaid services. The organization expects to receive approximately $93 million more in funding to provide the service.

In addition to Polk County, Western Highlands serves Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, Mitchell, Rutherford, Transylvania and Yancey counties. Polk County joined Western Highlands in 2002 after the state reformed mental health and mandated that counties form LMEs.