Vaya Health and Partners Health Management to merge on Oct. 1

May 25, 2026 - 22:58

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has given the green light for the merger of two major managed care organizations, Vaya Health and Partners Health Management. The consolidation is set to take effect on October 1.

Both entities serve as Local Management Entities and Managed Care Organizations, overseeing behavioral health services and intellectual and developmental disability supports across the state. The combined organization will cover a broad geographic area, including 46 counties in western and central North Carolina.

Officials from both groups say the merger aims to streamline administrative functions and improve access to care for the roughly 1.6 million people in their service regions. The new entity will operate under the Vaya Health name, with Partners Health Management's operations folding into the existing structure.

The approval from state health regulators came after a review process that considered the potential impact on service delivery and financial stability. Leaders from both organizations have emphasized that there will be no immediate disruptions for people currently receiving care. They also stated that provider contracts will remain in place during the transition period.

The merger represents a significant consolidation in North Carolina's behavioral health landscape. It follows a broader trend of health systems and managed care organizations joining forces to achieve economies of scale and coordinate services more effectively. The combined budget for the new Vaya Health is expected to exceed 2 billion dollars annually.