North Carolina’s Medicaid Expansion Earns National Recognition
In a remarkable achievement, North Carolina’s Medicaid program has been awarded the 2024 Spotlight Award by the National Association of Medicaid Directors. This accolade highlights the efforts of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, which has successfully enrolled over 570,000 individuals in Medicaid expansion within just 11 months since its launch on December 1, 2023. The initial year’s enrollment nearly meets the projected 600,000 participants anticipated over two years.
Governor Roy Cooper expressed his satisfaction with the program’s reach and impact, stating, “We never gave up on making sure more North Carolinians got health insurance through Medicaid Expansion. Now, more of our neighbors, friends and loved ones can see a doctor, get preventative care, manage chronic conditions and get life-saving prescriptions without the burden of high premiums or co-pays.”
The success of NC Medicaid is attributed to extensive outreach efforts orchestrated by NCDHHS in collaboration with over 215 community partners across the state’s 100 counties. These partners, including local organizations, healthcare providers, business leaders, community advocates, and elected officials, have played a crucial role in disseminating information about Medicaid expansion and encouraging enrollment. This collaborative approach has ensured broader healthcare coverage for North Carolinians.
Since the expansion’s inception, more than 270,000 people enrolled on the first day, with the total enrollment surpassing 570,000 as of November 14, 2024. New Medicaid recipients have accessed over 3.4 million prescriptions for various health conditions, including heart health, diabetes, and seizures. Additionally, Medicaid has covered dental claims exceeding $53 million since the expansion.
NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley emphasized the collaborative effort behind this success, stating, “We got Medicaid expansion done — and we got it done well — with the help of our state and community partners who worked tirelessly to make it easier and more accessible for people to apply.” He added that nearly 600,000 people are already benefiting from the expanded access to life-saving care.
North Carolina’s outreach initiatives feature a dedicated website and a Community Engagement Toolkit, which allows organizations to customize Medicaid messaging for their specific communities. These materials are available in multiple languages, including Arabic, Spanish, and Swahili, and provide essential information about enrollment processes via ePass or county social services departments.
Another significant component of the outreach strategy is the Medicaid Ambassador initiative. This volunteer program empowers North Carolinians to assist their neighbors in navigating the Medicaid system by providing comprehensive training and resources.
NAMD Executive Director Kate McEvoy commended North Carolina’s innovative efforts, stating, “North Carolina’s approach demonstrates how centering community voices can transform program implementation. Their innovative partnership model breaks new ground.”
For more details or to apply for NC Medicaid, visit Medicaid.nc.gov and explore the Medicaid expansion FAQs.
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