Last month, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services launched a dashboard to track monthly enrollment in Medicaid for people eligible through expansion.
More than 600,000 North Carolinians are newly eligible for health coverage through the historic expansion of NC Medicaid. The NC Medicaid Expansion Enrollment Dashboard offers a detailed overview of enrollment trends in newly eligible adults ages 19-64 who can now apply for full health care coverage.
On day one, there were nearly 273,000 people enrolled and covered by Medicaid expansion, most of which were part of the family planning population who were automatically moved to full coverage. The platform provides a look at enrollee characteristics that include age, race, ethnicity and other demographics. Information on percentage of eligible adults newly enrolled in Medicaid by county and type of health plan, as well as specifically within rural areas of the state, is also shared.
The dashboard shows the highest percentages of adults 19-64 now covered by Medicaid are in North Carolina’s rural communities. The four counties with the highest portion of adults enrolled are Anson, Edgecombe, Richmond and Robeson counties. The dashboard represents a snapshot of enrollments known at the beginning of each month and does not capture enrollments processed after the start of the month. This new dashboard for Medicaid expansion is in addition to the department’s existing NC Medicaid Enrollment dashboard.
“Hundreds of people each day are gaining health care coverage and getting the care they need,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. “Our work continues with state and community partners to support enrollment efforts to ensure as many people as possible can get covered.”
In addition to the enrollment dashboard, NCDHHS is seeing a big uptick in NC Medicaid interest and engagement. Through Dec. 15, 2023, more than 84,000 people have applied for Medicaid, and staff at county Department of Social Services are processing these applications.
“The work of the department, community partners and County DSS offices is resulting in thousands and thousands of people checking to see if they are eligible for NC Medicaid,” said NC Medicaid Deputy Secretary Jay Ludlam. “We encourage everyone to share materials, volunteer and take other opportunities to help spread the word about Medicaid expansion to family members, friends, neighbors and other members of their communities.”
NCDHHS’ Medicaid Expansion portal includes information on income requirements, FAQs, videos on how to apply and a sign-up form to receive the latest news and updates. [source]