Eastpointe plans regional mental health merger

Jan. 20--Eastpointe, the behavioral health care group that serves Wilson County, has announced plans to merge with Kannapolis-based Cardinal Innovations Healthcare this summer.

If approved by the state Health and Human Services secretary, the merger is set to take effect July 1 and the combined company would operate under the Cardinal Innovations name.

"This anticipated consolidation is a key component to Eastpointe's long-term strategy as a [managed-care organization]. Eastpointe's leadership determined that it is best to align Eastpointe and its 12-county service area with Cardinal Innovations because of our shared belief that Medicaid reform should provide access, choice and integrated care for complex populations," Eastpointe CEO Sarah N. Stroud said in a statement.

The planned merger would create a managed-care organization that serves a population of roughly 3.8 million people spread across 32 of North Carolina's 100 counties, with more than 1.1 million enrolled clients.

"Eastpointe's members, communities and providers remain our top priority, and we will continue to deliver the high-quality services our members have grown to expect from Eastpointe," Stroud said. "We also recognize the strong value that Cardinal Innovations places on Eastpointe, including its members, employees, counties and other stakeholders."

Cardinal Innovations CEO Richard Topping said the merger will have a positive effect on eastern North Carolinains' health and wellness.

Eastpointe is based in the Duplin County town of Beulaville and currently manages behavioral health care for residents of Wilson, Nash, Edgecombe, Greene, Wayne, Lenoir, Bladen, Columbus, Sampson, Scotland and Robeson counties.

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