Special to Iredell Free News
RALEIGH — Since the state expanded who is eligible for Medicaid on December 1, 2023, some 314,101 North Carolinians have enrolled in the program and now have access to comprehensive health care, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
Large numbers of those enrolling through Medicaid expansion are young adults and/or live in rural areas. Nearly one in three are between 19 and 29 years old. New enrollees disproportionately live in rural communities with Anson, Edgecombe, Richmond and Robeson counties having some of the highest enrollment rates of adults to date.
Not only are people enrolling, but they are also accessing the medicines and care they need to stay healthy. Medicaid has covered more than 150,000 prescriptions for new enrollees and more than $2.5 million in claims for dental services since December 1, 2023.
“We can already see the important impact expansion has on improving the health and lives of North Carolinians,” said NCDHHS Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. “They are our neighbors, child care specialists, construction workers, veterans, loved ones struggling with behavioral health challenges or substance use, and so many others.”
Extensive efforts to spread the word about Medicaid expansion encourage people to apply for health care coverage and engage partners helped tens of thousands of North Carolinians check their eligibility and enroll.
More than 215 partners across all 100 counties in the state, including local organizations, health care providers, business leaders, community advocates and elected officials, continue to share information on Medicaid expansion with their communities.
“We’re excited to see the impact of our collective efforts to spread the word and encourage everyone to keep sharing materials and encouraging people to apply,” said NC Medicaid Deputy Secretary Jay Ludlam. “NCDHHS recently trained 1,000 community members from health centers, libraries, county DSS offices, food pantries, schools and universities on the ePASS portal to help more people apply for Medicaid.”
LEARN MORE
NCDHHS’ Medicaid Expansion portal includes information on eligibility, FAQs and ways to apply for health coverage. To learn more about or apply for NC Medicaid, visit Medicaid.nc.gov.