In April 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) announced a new rule, "Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services," to improve Medicaid.
The new rule requires NC Medicaid and other State Medicaid agencies to create two new groups, a Medicaid Advisory Committee (MAC) and Beneficiary Advisory Council (BAC) by July 2025.
- The MAC/BAC is designed to center the lived experience of beneficiaries, their families and caregivers.
- The MAC/BAC will provide a more formalized structure for beneficiaries and interested parties to provide feedback to the state about Medicaid.
- The MAC will replace the current Medical Care Advisory Committee (MCAC) that advises the state on health and medical care services.
Purpose
The BAC is an advisory group comprised exclusively of Medicaid beneficiaries, family members or caregivers. It will provide a dedicated space for people with lived experience with NC Medicaid to identify key issues to bring to the MAC and advise the state directly on Medicaid policy and administration.
The MAC is a larger advisory group comprised of a diverse group of stakeholders (including a portion of BAC members) that will represent a wide range of perspectives and experiences and serve in an advisory capacity to the state (including through the submission of an annual report).
The MAC/BAC will advise on a broad range of topics including:
- Additions and changes to covered services
- Coordination of care
- Quality of services
- Eligibility, enrollment and renewal processes
- Beneficiary and provider communications
- Cultural competency, language access and health disparity
- Access to services
- Other issues that impact the outcomes of health and medical services
Specific topics of discussion will be determined in collaboration with the MAC/BAC and based on the needs of NC Medicaid.
Membership
The MAC
The MAC will have at least 20 members selected from the 14 congressional districts and six additional at-large members. The MAC must include a portion of BAC members (10% July 9, 2025; 20% July 10, 2026; 25% July 11, 2027).
The MAC must have at least one representative from each of these categories:
- Clinical providers/administrators
- Participating health plans/state associations
- Other state agencies as ex-officio members
- State, local or community-based organizations
The BAC
The BAC will be a dedicated forum for people with lived experience with NC Medicaid.
The BAC will have at least 18 members selected from the 14 congressional districts and four additional at-large members.
BAC members must include:
- Current and/or former Medicaid beneficiaries
- Family members of beneficiaries
- Paid or unpaid caregivers of beneficiaries
Meeting Information
Both the BAC and MAC must meet once each quarter with off-cycle meetings held as needed.
The BAC must meet separately from and before each MAC meeting to ensure BAC members are prepared to participate in the MAC meeting.
- Must offer rotating meeting participation options, including all in-person, all virtual and hybrid (virtual and in-person) attendance.
- Regardless of the meeting format, a telephone dial-in option must be available.
- Two MAC meetings per year must be open to the public, with dedicated time for public comment.
- The BAC will decide for itself which meetings (if any) are to open to the public.
MAC and BAC members are selected be the Deputy Secretary of Medicaid. People interested in membership must submit an application for review by NC Medicaid.
- In the application, prospective members must describe their interest in the Medicaid program.
- Must ensure varied representation on the BAC and MAC (e.g., enrollees with different demographics or health care needs, different provider types).
Medicaid Advisory Committee and Beneficiary Advisory Council – Getting Input to Improve NC Medicaid – Nov. 19, 2024
• Presentation
• Recording
How to Apply
For help applying or to schedule a phone application, email Medicaid.NCEngagement@dhhs.nc.gov.
This page was last modified on 11/22/2024