This article was originally published in April 2023 and has been updated for accuracy as of December 1st, 2023.
December 1st, 2023 marks the start of Medicaid expansion in North Carolina! Around 600,000 adult residents of the state are now eligible for health care coverage through the program.
Read this article to find out more about these Medicaid changes and what they could mean for you when it comes to qualifying for insurance-covered incontinence products.
IN THIS ARTICLE:
What Does Medicaid Expansion Mean In North Carolina?
Who Is Eligible for North Carolina Medicaid?
What Health Services Does North Carolina Medicaid Cover?
How Can I Apply for North Carolina Medicaid?
How Long Does It Take to Be Approved for North Carolina Medicaid?
Can I Get Free Incontinence Products Through North Carolina Medicaid?
What Does Medicaid Expansion Mean In North Carolina?
Governor Roy Cooper signed House Bill 76, Access to Healthcare Options, into law over the summer, making North Carolina (NC) one of the states to expand Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
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Gov. Cooper supported the Medicaid expansion deal by stating that this expansion will strengthen the North Carolina mental health system, help rural hospitals, and support working families. Expansion begins on December 1st, 2023.
This change will help thousands of state residents obtain health coverage who were previously denied due to qualification requirements. The expansion will also:
- Improve Access to Substance Use Disorder & Mental Health Treatment. Around 2 million residents in North Carolina experience mental illness or substance use disorder, and many either do not have proper access to care or cannot afford care. Medicaid expansion will supply those in need with access to affordable healthcare and treatment, as well as improve access to assistance.
- Help Uninsured Veterans. More than 14,000 North Carolina veterans and their families are uninsured, and many don’t get coverage under the Department of Veterans Affairs. Medicaid expansion will provide coverage to these veterans and their family members.
- Assist Rural Health Care & Hospitals. Many rural residents of the state don’t have proper access to health care due to a lack of providers and rural hospitals closing, as well as hospitals’ inability to care for uninsured patients. Expansion will bring funds to hospitals and providers, and make accessing health care easier for rural residents.
- Create Jobs In NC & Assist Working Families. It’s estimated that Medicaid expansion will create 40,000 jobs in North Carolina and stimulate the economy. On top of creating jobs, workers will have access to more affordable healthcare, allowing working families to maintain their health and employment status.
- Help Low-Income Families. Many low-income families with working parents in the state cannot afford health coverage, but Medicaid expansion is estimated to provide over 100,000 of these families with affordable coverage.
Who Is Eligible for North Carolina Medicaid?
Residents of North Carolina who qualified for Medicaid before the expansion are still considered eligible. Adults ages 19 - 64 with higher household incomes can now also receive full Medicaid benefits if they qualify.
Requirements:
- Must be a resident of North Carolina.
- Must be a US citizen.
- Must meet household income requirements. Check our income chart to see if you’ll be eligible for Medicaid services.
- Must be aged 19 - 64.
Others Who May Qualify:
- Children ages 5 and younger who live at 215% of the federal poverty level (FPL).
- Children ages 6 - 18 who live at 138% of the FPL.
- Pregnant women living at 201% of the FPL.
- Adult caregivers of children or adult relatives living at 45% of the FPL.
- Those who are elderly or have a disability and are receiving SSI benefits.
What Health Services Does North Carolina Medicaid Cover?
- Regular check-ups.
- Preventative healthcare services.
- Inpatient and outpatient hospital services.
- Maternity and postpartum care.
- Vision and hearing services.
- Prescription drug coverage.
- Dental healthcare coverage.
- Medical equipment, like continence care products.
How Can I Apply for North Carolina Medicaid?
- Go to Medicaid.NC.gov to see if you are eligible for coverage.
- Apply online at the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services website.
- Apply by phone at 1-800-318-2596.
- Apply in person at your county’s County Department of Social Services office.
- Apply by mailing a Medicaid application to your county’s Department of Social Services office.
How Long Does It Take to Be Approved for North Carolina Medicaid?
If you apply for a Medicaid health plan based on a disability, your coverage will be determined within 90 days.
Can I Get Free Incontinence Products Through North Carolina Medicaid?
If you or your loved one lives in North Carolina, manages incontinence due to an underlying condition or disability, and has been diagnosed with incontinence, you may be eligible for incontinence products that are 100% covered by Medicaid.
To find out if you qualify for free incontinence supplies with Aeroflow Urology, follow these steps:
- Apply for North Carolina Medicaid coverage online, by phone, or in person.
- Once you are approved for North Carolina Medicaid, submit your information through our secure Eligibility Form.
- Your coverage will be determined within 1-2 business days. We’ll then ship your order in discreet boxes right to your door every month at no charge. We’ll also help you restock your supplies each month so you never run out.
References
Governor Cooper Signs Medicaid Expansion into Law. (n.d.). Governor.nc.gov. Retrieved April 5, 2023, from https://governor.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2023/03/27/governor-cooper-signs-medicaid-expansion-law?utm_source=Stakeholders&utm_campaign=cc47a5a468-External+Stakeholders_033123&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_dbdaf4daf2-cc47a5a468-82069850&mc_cid=cc47a5a468&mc_eid=936cd1765a
Buettgens, M., & Ramchandani, U. (2022). 3.7 Million People Would Gain Health Coverage in 2023 If the Remaining 12 States Were to Expand Medicaid Eligibility. https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/2022-08/3.7%20Million%20People%20Would%20Gain%20Health%20Coverage%20If%20the%20Remaining%20States%20Were%20to%20Expand%20Medicaid.pdf
North Carolina and the ACA’s Medicaid expansion. (n.d.). Healthinsurance.org. https://www.healthinsurance.org/medicaid/north-carolina/
What Expanding Medicaid Would Mean for North Carolina. (n.d.). www.ncdhhs.gov. https://www.ncdhhs.gov/blog/2022/06/09/what-expanding-medicaid-would-mean-north-carolina#:~:text=Expanding%20Medicaid%20in%20NC%20would
Medicaid expansion in North Carolina will begin Oct. 1, if lawmakers can soon enact a budget. (2023, July 26). AP News. https://apnews.com/article/north-carolina-medicaid-expansion-6059c74ffe47af91ebcf043a49ccf8e1
Medicaid Eligibility Determination Timeliness NC General Statute §108A-70.43, as amended by Session Law 2017-57, Section 11H.21 Report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Medicaid and NC Health Choice and Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services and Fiscal Research Division. (2021). https://medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/ncgs-108a-7043-medicaid-eligibility-determination-timeliness/download?attachment
https://medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/nc-medicaid-expansion-day-one-flyer/download?attachment
Disclaimer
Information provided on the Aeroflow Urology blog is not intended as a substitute to medical advice or care from a healthcare professional. Aeroflow recommends consulting your healthcare provider if you are experiencing medical issues relating to incontinence.
