Extension of Postpartum Coverage

NC Medicaid postpartum health care coverage has increased from 60 days to 12 months for eligible beneficiaries in North Carolina beginning April 1, 2022. The benefit will provide 12 months of continuous (ongoing) postpartum coverage to eligible beneficiaries who are currently pregnant or gave birth between Feb. 1, 2022, and March 31, 2022.

Beneficiaries are eligible to receive 12 months of ongoing postpartum health care coverage beginning  the date their pregnancy ends through the last day of the month, 12 months after the birth event. Beneficiaries remain eligible even if certain changes occur that may affect eligibility (such as a change in income or household/family unit).

Extended coverage applies to all categories of beneficiaries in all NC Medicaid programs, including those currently enrolled in the Medicaid for Pregnant Women program. Eligible beneficiaries should receive a letter notifying them of the change.

IMPORTANT: To get postpartum coverage for 12 months, the beneficiary’s caseworker at their local Department of Social Services (DSS) must be notified:

• when the beneficiary becomes pregnant 
• if the due date changes
• when the pregnancy ends

Resources

• Press Release - March 31, 2022
• Just US: Before, Birth, and Beyond - Mountain Area Health Education Center Podcast with Emma Sandoe, PhD, MPH, Associate Director of Strategy and Planning, NC Medicaid - May 31, 2022

For Providers

• Provider Postpartum Fact Sheet
• Provider Bulletin on Postpartum Extension - March 23, 2022

Frequently Asked Questions

For Beneficiaries

Beneficiary Postpartum Fact Sheets

• English
• Español

Frequently Asked Questions