RALEIGH, NC – January 12, 2024 – The latest update of the NC Medicaid Expansion Enrollment Dashboard was on January 12th. Enrollment in NC increased by about 40 thousand to more than 310 thousand people. Buncombe County enrollment increased by about 1,300 to almost 7,500 people. The first Medicaid expansion (ME) enrollees lost their full-benefit Medicaid insurance when the COVID national emergency ended in April because they made too much money. However, NC HHS enrolled them in a limited Medicaid benefit plan that provides family planning benefits for people who make up to 195 percent of the federal poverty level. There were about 270 thousand North Carolinians, including more than 6 thousand people from Buncombe County, who became the first enrollees. It is estimated that a total of 600 thousand North Carolinians will be eligible for ME, including almost 17 thousand from Buncombe County.
On December 1st, North Carolina officially became the 40th state to expand Medicaid, the federal program for health insurance for low-resource individuals. ME increases health care access to eligible North Carolinians ages 19-64 and their families with earnings from 100 percent of the federal poverty level to 138 percent. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has a new dashboard at medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/reports to track new ME enrollment each month statewide and by each county.
There are many ways to apply for NC Medicaid. Applications can be taken by phone, email, fax, or in person. Buncombe County residents can apply for Medicaid online and at any time at ePASS.NC.gov. Applications can be done in-person at the HHS Building on 40 Coxe Avenue, by calling 828-250-5500, or by mail. A printable application can be obtained online at the NCDHHS website.
Kody Kinsley, the head of the NCDHHS, recently released a statement, “Hundreds of people each day are gaining health care coverage and getting the care they need. Our work continues with state and community partners to support enrollment efforts to ensure as many people as possible can get covered.”
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Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, healthyasheville@ashevillefm.org