RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina’s largest county has received permission from the state to run its own managed-care organization to treat the mentally ill.

The move comes after Mecklenburg County’s operations were reviewed by a consultant and state regulators.

Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Aldona Wos (vahsh) said Friday she’s given approval for MeckLINK Behavioral Healthcare to begin operating March 1 under a state Medicaid waiver.

Wos’ predecessor ruled just before leaving the job that Mecklenburg officials could not get ready by Feb. 1 and ordered another managed-care provider in more than a dozen counties to assume Mecklenburg’s operation. Wos decided to give MeckLINK another month to get organized. An outside consultant was brought to evaluate MeckLINK’s progress.

The managed-care model is supposed to cover all 100 counties by July 1.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)