The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live fireside chat and tele-town hall Tuesday, February 6, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss Medicaid expansion updates and resources, who is newly eligible and how to apply for health coverage.

Event participants include:

  • Elizabeth Cuervo Tilson, M.D., State Health Director and Chief Medical Officer, NCDHHS
  • Hollis Smith, Medicaid Expansion Outreach and Education Coordinator, Care Share Health Alliance
  • Brenda Jackson, Director, Cumberland County Department of Social Services

With the support of local organizations and state partners, more than 314,000 North Carolinians have enrolled in Medicaid since the state expanded who is eligible. Outreach efforts continue to reach more than 289,000 people ages 19 through 64 years who are newly eligible for Medicaid and have not yet applied for health care coverage.

Fireside chat and tele-town hall panelists will discuss the following:

  • Who is eligible for Medicaid
  • How to apply for health care coverage
  • Where to find resources and support
  • What to expect after Medicaid enrollment

Those joining the event will have the opportunity to ask questions about Medicaid expansion and enrollment.

The NCDHHS Medicaid expansion website provides information on eligibility, how to apply and where to find support. Individuals can also find state and local support teams to help them better understand their health care coverage options, complete Medicaid applications and navigate enrollment.

The fireside chat will stream live from the NCDHHS Facebook, Twitter and YouTube accounts, where viewers can submit questions. The event also includes a tele-town hall, which invites people by phone to listen in and submit questions. People can also dial into the event by calling 855-756-7520 Ext. 101649#.

NCDHHS fireside chats and tele-town halls are part of the state’s ongoing public efforts to ensure equitable access to timely health information, including Medicaid enrollment resources to help North Carolinians find health care coverage.

For additional context on how 988 and the peer warmline can work together to support a person’s behavioral health needs, watch the recent fireside chat and tele-town Hall hosted by NCDHHS on supporting mental wellness and accessing health resources.