Medicaid beneficiaries need to enroll in new Managed Care Program

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PITTSBORO — The North Carolina Medicaid program will be transitioning to a managed care model, requiring most Medicaid beneficiaries to enroll in new health insurance plans.

In Chatham County, approximately 7,000 people will be impacted by this change. Under the new managed care model, plans will continue to offer the same Medicaid services such as office visits, tests, or x-rays. Plans may also provide additional programs like assistance with healthy eating. Each plan includes a network of doctors and other health care providers.

Open enrollment for health insurance plans runs through May 15. During this period beneficiaries can select their own plans. There are two upcoming virtual events for Chatham County residents to receive more information: at 2 p.m. Wednesday (May 6) and at 6 p.m. the following Wednesday (May 13). To join a meeting, visit the N.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services (DHHS) website at ncmedicaidplans.gov. Select “Meetings and events” and select Chatham from the lists of counties, then you will see a list of upcoming outreach presentations. Click the link to join the virtual event at the designated date and time.

Participants do not need to register in advance.

“While Medicaid beneficiaries should expect to receive the same services and care, the managed care model is a very different way of approaching health and medical care,” said Jennie Kristiansen, Chatham County’s Director of Social Services. “Our enrollment numbers in Chatham County are slightly lower than the state average; only 3% of beneficiaries have selected a plan, and we want to make sure that everyone knows how to get information about enrolling and who to contact.”

“This is the second time that NC DHHS has begun the implementation of Medicaid managed care,” added Carrie Pritchard, who supervises a team of Medicaid case workers at Chatham County’s Department of Social Services. “In late 2019, beneficiaries were enrolling in plans, but everything was put on hold due to budgetary problems at the state level. With the new changes, most Medicaid beneficiaries must select a plan now, even if they selected one in 2019. It is important to understand that even if someone is receiving Medicaid currently, most beneficiaries will still need to select a new managed care plan.”

There are multiple ways to get information about the program and to find out which health plan your provider is enrolled in, including online at https://ncmedicaidplans.gov/, by phone at 1-833-870-5500 (toll free) Monday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., or through a new mobile app called NC Medicaid Managed Care.