Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The executive director of Mental Health Resources announced it will be taking over behavioral health services from Turquoise Health and Wellness in Curry, Roosevelt, Quay, De Baca and Harding counties, effective April 1.
“I really want all the communities that Turquoise has been serving, at least the five that we mentioned, to know that I don’t want them to have any anxiety about losing services or losing the ability to access service,” Chris Tokarski, the executive director of Mental Health Resources, said.
“We’ve been working very, very closely with Turquoise to ensure that any transition of care continues so that there is no disruption,” Tokarski said. “That process has been going on for the last two to three weeks.”
Tokarski said at this point there has been no transition of clients from Turquoise to Mental Health Resources. He said the current goal is to build the infrastructure to accommodate the influx of clients after Turquoise leaves March 31, including hiring staff and ensuring proper licensing and certifications.
Earlier this month Turquoise notified the state and all four of its managed care organizations it would terminate access in New Mexico March 31. New Mexico Human Services Department director of external affairs Matt Kennicott said Turquoise “cannot stand on its own” when Lifewell ceases operations with them on that date.
Mental Health Resources currently operates out of clinics in Portales, Clovis and Tucumcari, with outreach in De Baca and Harding Counties on an as-needed basis. Tokarski said MRH will be adding staff at all of the clinics, ideally by transitioning current Turquoise employees and providers.
“This is really an opportunity for two very talented organizations to come together and have an even greater impact on the community than prior,” Tokarski said. “The goal is that we come together and continue to do amazing work in our communities.”
Tokarski said he couldn’t comment on whether Turquoise has formally notified their patients about the transition yet, or the number of patients that the clinic currently sees. The director of Turquoise in Clovis declined to comment Friday.
“I feel very confident the transition is going to happen pretty seamlessly,” Tokarski said. “Turquoise has been working very closely with our agency in terms of transition plans and what it would look like.
“I can’t emphasize enough the commitment not only from Turquoise, but Mental Health Resources and all of the (managed care organizations) to make sure that none of those services go away. I found all these people very invested and wiling to work on this process.”
