1915(i) Services for Mental Health

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NC Medicaid’s 1915(i) services are for certain people with NC Medicaid, including people with serious mental health conditions. These conditions can cause someone to need help with activities in their home and community. Examples can include bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or depression.

Skills for living in the community

Individual and Transitional Support helps you build life skills to live independently in the community. These skills can be self-help, social or problem-solving skills. The goal is to coach you and fade the support over time with activities like:

  • Finding a place to live
  • Finding and keeping a job
  • Preparing meals and other household tasks
  • Managing your finances
  • Accessing transportation
  • Continuing your education

This Medicaid service is for people ages 16 or older. Other age restrictions may apply. For details, see the clinical coverage policy for 1915(i) Individual and Transitional Support.

Job coaching

Individual Placement and Support helps you find, get and keep a job that’s right for you. This includes:

  • An employment specialist and peer support to help you succeed on the job
  • Counseling to understand how your job may affect your Medicaid benefits
  • Collaboration with your care team to keep you healthy while you work

This Medicaid service is for people ages 16 or older. You must have gone through services by Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities (EIPD) before you can get Individual Placement and Support. For details, see the clinical coverage policy for 1915(i) Individual Placement and Support.

Breaks for you and your caregivers

Respite gives caregivers a break, while knowing their loved one is cared for. This service is:

  • Provided in or out of the home
  • For a few hours, overnight or weekends
  • Available for emergency care
  • Up to 300 hours each year

This Medicaid service is for people ages 3 through 21. For details, see the clinical coverage policy for 1915(i) Respite.

Supports for moving to your own home

Community Transition gives you funds (up to $5,000 in credit) to help you move from an approved setting to your own private home.

Example approved settings include a state-operated health care facility (like a state psychiatric hospital or developmental center), a foster or group home, a psychiatric residential treatment facility (PRTF) and a community intermediate care facility (ICF-IID).

Funds can be used to pay for:

  • Security deposit for an apartment or house  
  • Essential home furnishings (like furniture, kitchen utensils and linens)
  • Moving expenses
  • Set-up fees for utilities (like phone, internet, gas)

This Medicaid service is for people of all ages. For details, see the clinical coverage policy for 1915(i) Community Transition.

How to get 1915(i) services

Need help?

These NC Medicaid health plans offer 1915(i) services. Call the number listed on your health plan ID card or health plan welcome letter:

Don’t see your plan? 1915(i) services are only available with Tailored Plans, NC Medicaid Direct or Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Option. 1915(i) services are not available with Standard Plans. See contact information for all Medicaid health plans.

Not sure which plan you have? Call the NC Medicaid Enrollment Broker at 1-833-870-5500. Hours of operation: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.

If your health plan has not been able to solve your problem or if you need help understanding NC Medicaid, call the NC Medicaid Ombudsman at 1-877-201-3750. Hours of operation: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Don’t have NC Medicaid? Apply for NC Medicaid.

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