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As of Feb. 1, more than half of the anticipated 600,000 people who are newly eligible for Medicaid coverage now have access to comprehensive health care. The Medicaid Expansion Enrollment Dashboard shows that 346,408 people are now enrolled in Medicaid after North Carolina expanded coverage on Dec. 1.
Enrolled North Carolinians have started to access the medicines and care they need through Medicaid Expansion. Medicaid covered more than 265,000 prescriptions for new enrollees for things like heart health, diabetes, seizures and other illnesses and covered more than $4.8 million in claims for dental services since Dec. 1, 2023
NCDHHS’ Medicaid Expansion website includes information on eligibility, FAQs, how to apply and a sign-up form to receive the latest news and updates. To learn more or apply for NC Medicaid, visit Medicaid.nc.gov. |
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Public Comment Open Though March 7 for Olmstead Plan
The public comment period is now open through March 7 for the draft 2024-25 Olmstead Plan, designed to assist people with disabilities to reside in and experience the full benefit of inclusive communities. The final, two-year plan will be published in April and implemented in calendar years 2024 and 2025. In alignment with the U.S. Supreme Court’s imperative for community integration in the Olmstead v. L.C. decision, the plan seeks to divert people from entering institutions and support those wishing to leave by offering an array of community-based living services. The plan focuses on five priority areas, some of which include increasing opportunities for people to choose community inclusion through Medicaid waiver services; addressing gaps in community-based services such as housing, employment, transportation and services that impact community life; and helping people with disabilities transition from the criminal justice system to reenter inclusive communities. Read the news release to see all of the priority areas. You can submit comments on the plan by emailing ncolmstead@tacinc.org. |
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NCDHHS Invests $5.5 Million to Help Justice-Involved People with Reentry
NCDHHS is investing $5.5 million into the FIT Wellness program, part of the NC Formerly Incarcerated Transition Program in the UNC School of Medicine, to improve reentry services for the justice-involved population. FIT Wellness delivers psychiatric and physical health care services along with connections to community supports such as housing, transportation and phones for people in the state prison system who have serious mental illnesses (SMI). SMI affects 15% of men and 31% of women in jails, and 85% of the prison population has a substance use disorder or was incarcerated for a crime related to substance use. Currently operating in Wake County, FIT Wellness offers continued psychiatric care for people with SMI who are being released from state prison. Participants work with a Peer Support Specialist with a personal history of incarceration and other care team members who assist with the development of a comprehensive reentry plan for a participant’s physical and behavioral health care needs. Read the news release to find out more details about how this funding will help justice-involved people with reentry services. |
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Side-by-Side Webinar with NCDHHS' Mental Health Division
Join staff from NCDHHS' Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services on March 5 at 2 p.m. to learn more about policies and programs that affect the Mental Health, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Substance Use Services and Traumatic Brain Injury community. The goal of these monthly webinars is to bring everyone together in one (virtual) place to share ideas for public policy that will improve the lives of North Carolinians. This group includes consumers, families, advisory groups, LME/MCOs, community members and partner organizations. This month’s topic is child behavioral health investments. Register for the meeting and see a flyer for more information. |
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Tele-Town Hall on Feb. 20: Supporting Your Heart Health
NCDHHS will host a live tele-town hall on Feb. 20, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss how to support and improve heart health, as well as prevent and manage heart disease. Many North Carolinians are impacted by heart conditions — nearly one in 10 adults have a history of heart disease, heart attack or stroke. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both women and men across the United States, and close to one in two women over the age of 20 live with some form of heart disease.??¯Black and African American adults are 40% more likely than Caucasian adults to have high blood pressure, a main risk factor for heart conditions, and twice as likely to die from preventable heart disease. The tele-town hall will cover ways to support and improve heart health, where to find resources and support, heart disease prevention, and how to access health care services. The event will stream live from the NCDHHS Facebook, Twitter and YouTube accounts, where viewers can submit questions. People can also listen by phone and submit questions. Dial into the event by calling 855-756-7520 Ext. 100653#. |
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What You Need to Know About Substance Use
NCDHHS is partnering with the NC Department of Justice in its webinar series, Protecting the Next Generation of North Carolinians, for a discussion about youth substance use on Feb. 28 at noon. Today's youth face a variety of challenges – some that may be familiar to parents and many that simply did not exist in generations past, before fentanyl, cell phones and social media. To help support parents, caregivers and people who work with children and youth, NCDOJ launched a webinar series: Protecting the Next Generation of North Carolinians. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, in the last month 65,000 North Carolinians aged 12 to 17 (8.14%) reported using drugs, and 9.17% reported using alcohol. Since their introduction in 2011, rates of youth e-cigarette use in North Carolina have steadily increased, impacting 20.9% of high school students and 6.1% of middle school students in 2019. This webinar is designed to provide parents, caregivers, grandparents and others who work with youth with helpful information and practical tips to help us all keep NC kids healthy and safe. Register for the webinar. |
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Inclusion Works Lunch and Learn
Join NCDHHS staff to learn about best practices to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) on their path to achieving Competitive Integrated Employment. This month's webinar is on Feb. 21 at noon and features an Inclusion Works Partner Spotlight and discussion with Work Together NC. Register for the event. |
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