Medicaid Waiver One Year Later: Smoky Mountain Center LME leaves Western Highlands Network LME in the Dirt re: Consumer / Provider Satisfaction

Thank you, Donna Baker Oliver, of Western Highlands Network LME, for letting me know the status of my application as a doctoral level licensed psychologist to become an Out of Network provider as associated w/ WHN LME.

Its one year later as associated when this application started. That's not even as an In Network Provider; that's as an Out of Network Provider.

It therefore appears that WHN LME has little to no interest to see that well trained providers outside of systems e.g., the little companies that dot the landscape and have QA's or lesser level trained people working there in a constant churn of turn over---- have any possibility of working within the domain of public health----even though those providers have been providing Medicaid Services for over a decade.

And yet, there are massive wait times for anyone to see a therapist or have an assessment by a well trained professional. Mental health is not like getting one's blood pressure checked, as you know. It is an 'emergent' discipline.

This is in distinct contrast to the consumer-friendly/ provider friendly Smoky Mountain Center LME.

Pass this e mail to anyone you like.

Sincerely,

Marsha V. Hammond, PhD, Licensed Psychologist, Asheville, NC

cc: David Weisner, PhD, NC Psychological Association
Brian Ingraham, CEO SMC LME
____________________________________

On Thu, Jan 3, 2013 at 8:27 AM, Donna Baker Oliver wrote:

> I have checked with our credentialing specialist and your application is currently with the credentialing committee. Thank you,

 Donna
 Donna Baker Oliver, LCSW
 Outpatient Provider Network Specialist
 1-800-671-6560 ext 2977
828-225-2785 ext 2977
(fax) 828-225-2796