Trillium Health Resources reports regional behavioral-health enrollment, warns of potential Medicaid cuts

Trillium Health Resources representatives briefed the Wilson County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 8 about regional behavioral-health enrollment, service changes since a statewide consolidation, and concerns about proposed Medicaid funding cuts.

Dave Peterson, vice president of regional operations for Trillium, said Trillium now manages behavioral-health services across 46 counties under a tailored plan model covering roughly 51,000 tailored-plan members and 163,000 Medicaid direct members across its region. For Wilson County specifically, Peterson said Trillium served 2,669 members from July through December 2024: 1,161 with a primary mental-health diagnosis, 652 with a primary substance-use diagnosis and 496 with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Peterson said those figures do not sum to the total because many individuals have multiple diagnoses.

Peterson described operational changes after the July 2024 consolidation, including a substantial rise in call volume (from about 3,000 to 15,000 calls per month) and the addition of physical-health services to Trillium’s responsibilities. He highlighted local initiatives including a mobile clinic launched through the county health department and provider tools such as telehealth and a provider-facing “Chest Health” app for substance-use follow-up.

Commissioners asked about potential Medicaid cuts. Peterson said the state was considering reductions in provider payments, and that Trillium and local providers were engaged in discussions with legislators; he cited public comments from a recent provider forum that a proposed statewide cut in the $317 million range was under negotiation and might be mitigated. Peterson said if reductions proceed (some options discussed ranged from about 3% to 10% of provider payments), the cuts would affect providers across the region and are being actively disputed.

Commissioners and Trillium board members on the regional advisory board (Commissioner Boyette and Jeff Hill sit on that body) also discussed local transportation and call-center issues and the role of the regional advisory board in bringing operational concerns back to the county level. No formal action by the board was taken on the presentation; commissioners thanked Trillium staff for the update and indicated continued oversight and engagement.

Trillium representatives encouraged local officials and residents to use county liaison contacts for assistance with member issues and to watch for further communications on potential provider-payment changes.