Catawba County News
What You Need to Know Before Choosing Your Medicaid Health Plan
Published: April 29, 2021
Do you or a loved one currently have NC Medicaid? Have you chosen a health plan through the new Managed Care options?
If you need to get details about which providers and services are best for you and your family, the Catawba County Library and Catawba County Social Services are hosting an information fair on Saturday, May 1 from 10 am till 2 pm.
The event will take place in the lower parking lot of the Main Library in Newton (115 West C Street) and will feature representatives from the five health plans available to county residents: AmeriHealth Caritas, Carolina Complete Health, Healthy Blue, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, and WellCare.
A health plan is a group of doctors, hospitals, and other providers who work together to provide a person’s health care. Going forward, the services a Medicaid recipient needs will come from the same health plan, including physical health, behavioral health, and medicine. So, recipients are encouraged to speak with representatives from the five plans to learn more about what each one has available. While all health plans will offer the same basic benefits and services, some may provide added services that better fit a family’s particular needs.
The deadline for most people in NC Medicaid to choose a health plan in the Managed Care program is Friday, May 14, 2021. After that date, NC Medicaid will automatically choose a plan for anyone who has not yet selected one on their own. This choice will remain in effect unless a recipient opts to change the health plan for any reason through September 30, 2021.
Along with details about health plans, representatives at the information fair can share information about which primary care providers they work with – an important consideration for people who would like to keep their current doctor, clinic, or other health care provider as a primary care provider. Representatives can also provide guidance about the four options available for enrolling in a health care plan:
- visiting ncmedicaidplans.gov,
- using the NC Medicaid Managed Care mobile app,
- calling toll free at 1-833-870-5500, or
- completing an enrollment form you receive and mailing or faxing it back.
Although Medicaid recipients are being asked to choose a new plan, the eligibility criteria for Medicaid has not changed, and Catawba County Social Services will continue to determine eligibility.