Welcome to Smoky Mountain Center   How do I become a new Service Provider in the Smoky Mountain Center catchment area? Smoky Mountain Center’s (SMC) catchment area is comprised of fifteen counties grouped into three regions outlined below: Southern Region: Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain Counties Central Region: Alexander, Caldwell and McDowell Counties Northern Region: Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Watauga and Wilkes Counties To become a service provider in one of Smoky’s three regions you will need to complete the following: Initial Need Inquiry Form - Word DOC - [ Link ] - UPDATED 08/23/2010 Refer to our Provider Operations Manual, Section II - Adobe PDF - [ Link ] Refer to our Browser User Interface (BUI) Manual - Adobe PDF - [ Link ] If at any time you have questions, please contact our toll free Provider Relations contact number at 1-866-990-9712 or send us an email at providerinfo@smokymountaincenter.com.   What is a Local Management Entity (LME) and what do they do? The Definition and Role of a Local Management Entity – A Brief Summary In the State of North Carolina the delivery of state-funded mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse services are administered locally. The local agencies charged with this responsibility are called Local Management Entities or LMEs. Smoky Mountain Center is a Local Management Entity (LME). LMEs are agencies of local government-area authorities or county programs-which are responsible for managing, coordinating, facilitating and monitoring the provision of mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse services in a defined geographical catchment area. LME responsibilities include offering consumers 24/7/365 access to services, developing and overseeing providers, and handling consumer complaints and grievances. The Smoky Mountain Center LME functions include: Prioritizing State and non-Medicaid federal funds allocated for mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse services for severely disabled and economically disadvantaged individuals in the 15 county catchment area. Establishment of a stable and high quality provider network in the SMC catchment area. New providers who wish to deliver services in the area must first be assessed on their ability to meet endorsement and other quality of care and credentialing criteria. All providers must meet these criteria prior to admission to the network and contract completion. Once admitted to the network, providers are monitored regularly in accordance with DHHS policy and applicable statutes and for compliance with the terms their contracts. Access, Screening, Triage and Referral of consumers to providers. The LME assesses consumers’ level and type of service need and refers to the providers of their choice. Evaluation of the necessity, appropriateness and efficiency of health care services for consumers receiving or requesting state funded or Medicaid services. SMC uses established guidelines and criteria and will authorize state-funded services based upon a properly completed PCP/Service Plan (as required) and in accordance with the benefit plan for the consumer’s target population Access to State Operated Facilities. The LME approves and facilitates admission to state-operated services and coordinates consumers’ transition back to the community. Maintaining functional links to the communities served for proposes of service coordination and community input.

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