On July 1, NCDHHS launched its Behavioral Health and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Tailored Plans, a new NC Medicaid Managed Care health plan.   

People eligible for Tailored Plans include those covered by NC Medicaid who have a serious mental illness, a serious emotional disturbance, a severe substance use disorder, an intellectual or developmental disability or a traumatic brain injury. Tailored Plans cover services for physical care, prescription drugs, mental health, long-term services and supports and address unmet health-related resource needs. 

In April, letters were mailed to North Carolinians who are moving to Tailored Plans outlining the next steps and how to choose a primary care provider (PCP). Individuals who did not pick a PCP by the May 15 deadline were assigned one, which they can change through Jan. 31, 2025. Learn more on the NC Medicaid website. 

Access NCDHHS’ accessible communications toolkit to view flyers, an explainer presentation, social media graphics and more, available in both English and Spanish. You can find additional information on Tailored Plans on the Medicaid website. 

This week, Gov. Cooper and NCDHHS announced new actions leveraging the state’s Medicaid program that will encourage hospitals to relieve a potential $4 billion in existing medical debt for approximately 2 million low and middle-income North Carolinians and ease the burden of medical debt in the future.

NCDHHS has asked the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to approve the medical debt policies as a condition of eligibility for North Carolina hospitals to receive an enhanced level of payment under the Healthcare Access and Stabilization Program (HASP). This program began at the same time as Medicaid expansion. Read a news release for more information on the policies hospitals will be required to implement to be eligible for HASP payments.

A recent investigation found that up to 41% of US adults are estimated to have some form of medical debt. It is incurred by people regardless of whether they have insurance, and there is a disproportionate impact on Black and Hispanic communities, as well as people living in rural areas, particularly those in Southern states.

NCDHHS’ partnership with Undue Medical Debt aligns with NCDHHS’ continued commitment to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians. Read the Medical Debt Frequently Asked Questions page for more information. 

Last week, NCDHHS released a multi-year Direct Support Professional (DSP) Workforce Plan to address the critical shortage of DSPs who provide in-home and community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in North Carolina.

The plan is part of NCDHHS’ Inclusion Connects initiative, which connects people with I/DD to more choices and more access to services and supports. This includes developing a robust, high-quality DSP workforce through improved recruitment, retention and training strategies.

The DSP Workforce Plan’s key initiatives aim to create a more accessible and supportive North Carolina, reaffirming NCDHHS' dedication to enhancing opportunities for North Carolinians with I/DD and responding effectively to the community's needs through innovative and sustainable solutions.

Read a news release to find out more about NCDHHS' plans to support the DSP workforce now and in the future. 

Last week, the NC Department of Public Safety (NCDPS) and NCDHHS released a timeline of violence prevention initiatives that reflect the whole-of-government partnership launched last year with the formation of the state’s first Office of Violence Prevention. This new office, created by Gov. Cooper in 2023, brings together law enforcement, public health officials, community groups and other state and local partners to apply a public health approach to violence prevention. 

Accomplishments included in the report include launching NC S.A.F.E., a public awareness campaign that promotes the safe storage of firearms; partnering with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to revive federal Project Safe Neighborhood funding for violence prevention; and advancing suicide prevention initiatives, including collaboration with local firearm safety teams, suicide prevention teams and faith leaders.

To learn more about the partnerships that are helping North Carolina develop a comprehensive response to violence, view the timeline of North Carolina violence prevention activities.