RALEIGH — On April 1, 2023, approximately 55,000 children eligible for NC Health Choice will transition to NC Medicaid and begin receiving additional physical and behavioral health services. This change will help save families money and increase access to care.
North Carolina currently has two similar and different programs that provide medical coverage for eligible children. NC Medicaid, funded through the federal Medicaid program, and NC Health Choice, funded through the federal Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Provisions contained in the North Carolina state budget approved in July 2022 directed the NC Department of Health and Human Services to transition an NC Health Choice beneficiary from his NC Health Choice program to the Medicaid program. North Carolina joins 17 states with combined Medicaid and CHIP programs for children.
“This is an exciting change that will allow NCDHHS to provide additional benefits to children transitioning from NC Health Choice to Medicaid,” said Dave Richard, Deputy Commissioner of NC Medicaid. “This includes non-urgent medical transportation services and assistance in getting in and out of medical appointments with early and routine screening, diagnosis and treatment. The purpose is that.”
Families with children transitioning from NC Health Choice to Medicaid will no longer have to pay registration fees and co-payments for visits and prescriptions. You will also have access to enhanced behavioral health services not previously covered by NC Health Choice. Those with NC Health Choice do not need to do anything to transition to the Medicaid program. This transition will be automatic and will take effect from April 1, 2023.
Those affected by this change should look for a letter mailed by their local social services department in early March. They will receive a new Medicaid ID card in the mail. However, your Medicaid ID (recipient ID) will not change. You can continue to use your current card until your new card arrives.
For more information, visit the NC Health Choice web page at medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/nc-health-choice-move-medicaid.
