Questions and Answers about Medicaid Expansion

If you currently have full Medicaid coverage, nothing will change for you. When it is time to get ready for the renewal process, you should:

• Update your contact information. Make sure your local DSS has your current mailing address, phone number, email or other contact information. This way, DSS will be able to contact you about your Medicaid coverage.

You can update your address and other information for Medicaid online without having to call or visit your local DSS. ePASS is North Carolina’s secure self-service website where people with Medicaid can create an enhanced account that allows you to apply for various benefits, view case details, renew Medicaid and update your contact information. More information on creating an enhanced ePASS account is available on the NC Medicaid beneficiary portal.

• Check your mail. Local DSS will mail you a letter about your coverage. This letter will let you know if you need to complete a renewal form or provide additional information to see if you still qualify for Medicaid.
• Complete the renewal form or Request for Information (if you get one). If you receive a renewal form, fill out the form and return it to your local DSS right away to help avoid a gap in your Medicaid coverage.

You do not have to pay any monthly premiums. Medicaid pays the cost for most health care services. The highest copay is $4 and that is only required for some services. 

Everyone who qualifies under the new rules will get their health coverage through a Standard Plan, Medicaid Direct, Tribal Option or through Tailored Plans in the future, depending upon their individual needs, just like other Medicaid beneficiaries.

No. Some people who have Medicare coverage may be eligible for other existing Medicaid programs. For example, people who are disabled and are age 64 and under may be eligible for Medicaid through disability coverage.

Yes. You may qualify for subsidized health coverage offered on HealthCare.gov. Contact a North Carolina health insurance navigator for enrollment assistance. Community health centers also provide low-cost care through a sliding scale based on one’s income and insurance status.

Yes, people already enrolled in Medicaid’s limited Family Planning Program who are eligible have been automatically moved to full Medicaid expansion benefits. Those who are eligible for full Medicaid benefits will:

• Get a letter from your https://www.ncdhhs.gov/localDSS letting you know you now have full Medicaid coverage.
• Be assigned a health plan. If you want to change your health plan, you have 90 days to pick a new one.
• Receive a packet from your health plan in the mail. It will include a new Medicaid ID card. Your ID card also has the name of your primary care doctor. You can change the doctor that was assigned to you by contacting your health plan.
• Need to cancel your plan if you have health coverage through HealthCare.gov. You can do that by logging into your HealthCare.gov account or calling 1-800-318-2596. Do not cancel your plan until you receive information from your new health plan through Medicaid.

Not everyone with limited Family Planning Program benefits was automatically enrolled in full coverage through Medicaid. Some people may have income that exceeds the Medicaid eligibility levels. If your income has recently changed and you think you may be eligible, update your information in ePASS (ePASS.nc.gov) or by contacting your local DSS. Also, please use ePASS or contact your local DSS office to make sure your contact information is up to date so you do not miss important information about your benefits.

Family Planning Medicaid provides reproductive health care at no cost to people with incomes up to 195% of the federal poverty line – that’s about $2,448 a month for a single person. It covers almost all methods of birth control, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, preventive services and more.

You will get a letter from your local DSS letting you know you now have full Medicaid coverage. These initial letters have already gone out. You will then be assigned a health plan. If you want to change your health plan, you have 90 days to pick a new one. Your health plan will send you a packet in the mail. It will include a new Medicaid ID card. Your ID card also has the name of your primary care doctor. You can change your doctor through your health plan. Medicaid will pay for doctor visits, yearly check-ups, emergency care, mental health services and more – at little or no cost to you. 

Some people may have income that exceeds the Medicaid eligibility levels. If your income has recently changed and you think you may be eligible, update your information in ePASS (ePASS.nc.gov) or by contacting your local Department of Social Services (DSS). Also, please use ePASS or contact your local DSS office to make sure your contact information is up to date so that you do not miss important information about your benefits.   

Some non-U.S. citizens can get health coverage through Medicaid. To be eligible you must live in North Carolina and be a non-citizen with qualified immigration status. Many people in this category must wait five years before they can apply for Medicaid, although there are some exceptions, as explained below.

Qualified immigration status includes:

• Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR/Green Card Holder)
• Asylees
• Refugees
• Cuban/Haitian entrants
• Paroled into the U.S. for at least one year
• Conditional entrant granted before 1980
• Battered non-citizens, spouses, children or parents (“Battered” means someone who has experienced abuse from a family member.)
• Victims of trafficking and their spouse, child, sibling or parent or individuals with a pending application for a victim of trafficking visa
• Granted withholding of deportation (a specific situation similar to asylum)
• Non-citizen members of a federally recognized Indian tribe or American Indian born in Canada
• Citizens of the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau who are living in one of the U.S. states or territories (referred to as Compact of Free Association or COFA migrants)

Some of the non-U.S citizens on the list above do NOT have to wait 5 years to be eligible for Medicaid. Those who do not have to wait five years for Medicaid eligibility include pregnant women, children under the age of 19, asylees, refugees, victims of trafficking, Cuban-Haitian Entrants and people who now have LPR status and who were previously asylees, refugees, victims of trafficking or Cuban-Haitian entrants. Also, all non-citizens from the list above who are connected to the military such as veterans, active-duty military (and their spouses and children) do not have to wait five years for Medicaid eligibility. All other non-citizens in the list above must wait five years from the time of receiving their qualified immigration status to be eligible for Medicaid.

If none of the qualified immigration statuses listed above apply to you:

If you are not a U.S. citizen or part of these immigration categories, but you would otherwise qualify for NC Medicaid, you may still apply to get emergency coverage that includes:

• Payment for the costs of childbirth. Get coverage for medical costs during labor and delivery. You can apply up to three months after birth.
• Payment for emergency services. Get coverage for the medical costs of treating an emergency, like a heart attack, stroke or serious accident. You can apply up to three months after the emergency.

To get this emergency coverage, apply for NC Medicaid as normal—but you do not need to show documentation or answer questions about your immigration status.

Medicaid does not report any information to law enforcement or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Your information will be kept private and confidential. This includes information for your family members with different immigration statuses. Your information cannot be used for immigration enforcement purposes.

You only need to provide immigration status or Social Security numbers for family members who are applying for coverage. For instance, a parent who is not an eligible immigrant could apply on behalf of a child who is eligible. The parent would not need to provide their own immigration status.

For more information on health insurance eligibility for immigrants, read this brochure from the NC Justice Center.

No. Applying for or receiving Medicaid does not make someone a “public charge”. It will not affect your immigration status or your immigration application. Only three benefits are considered negatively if you are submitting an immigration application: Supplementary Security Income (SSI), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Medicaid only if used for long-term hospitalization or nursing home care. All other benefit and health programs are safe to use and have no impact on any immigration application you file. For more information on public charge, read this informational flyer from the NC Justice Center.

Undocumented immigrants are eligible for emergency Medicaid. However, undocumented immigrants are not eligible to enroll in federally funded health coverage including full Medicaid, CHIP or Medicare, or to purchase coverage through the Federal Marketplace. Undocumented immigrants are only potentially eligible for emergency Medicaid or labor and delivery services. 

Everyone is potentially eligible for emergency Medicaid as long as they meet the income and North Carolina state residence eligibility requirements (provide proof they live in North Carolina, such as photo ID with your address, a utility bill, a lease or documentation of employment). Undocumented non-U.S. citizens who do not qualify for full health coverage under Medicaid may be able to get coverage for emergency medical services. North Carolina has a state emergency medical review contractor who determines if the incident is a medical emergency and determines the dates that Medicaid could cover. The coverage is limited to certain dates, beginning with the date the medical emergency occurs and ending with the date the medical emergency is stabilized. For example, when someone is in a car accident and taken to the emergency room or women who give birth and do not have insurance. 

Undocumented, non-U.S citizen pregnant women may be eligible for emergency services covering labor and delivery if they meet the income and state residence eligibility requirements. However, they are not eligible to receive full Medicaid benefits.

All applicants must meet state residence and income requirements. Parents can apply for themselves and/or their children.

• Parents who do not have a valid immigration status are eligible for emergency services only.
• Their children may be eligible for full Medicaid if they have a qualified immigration status. This is true even if their parents do not have qualified immigration status.

If only one family member is applying for insurance or assistance, only the applicant(s) must provide immigration status information or their social security number. Other family members who are not applying do not have to provide immigration information.

Parents who apply for their eligible children need to give the names of all members in their household, their mailing address, any verification of any income and proof of state residency from the parent(s) to determine the child’s eligibility along with a signed application. Parents do not need to give immigration information or a social security number for themselves if they are not applying for Medicaid for themselves. Medicaid does not report any information to law enforcement or ICE.

To apply for an adult child 18 and older, a parent must be designated as an Authorized Representative. An Authorized Representative is an individual who is legally authorized or designated in writing by the person applying to act on their behalf. Only an Authorized Representative can complete a Medicaid application for someone else. Additionally, your local Department of Social Services (DSS) must complete a medical evaluation and request medical records to be reviewed by Disability Determination Services (DDS). If you need help, you can contact your local DSS office so they can guide you through the application process. The Authorized Representative does not have to be a parent. An adult with disabilities may designate anyone as their Authorized Representative.

No, people with TPS cannot apply for full health coverage through Medicaid. However, they may be eligible for emergency Medicaid as long as they meet the income and North Carolina state residence eligibility requirements. Pregnant women and children under 19 with TPS are eligible to apply for Medicaid if they meet all other eligibility requirements and are not subject to the five-year wait period. People with TPS can apply for coverage and help paying for insurance under the Health Care Marketplace (ACA).

No. Under rules issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), people with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status are not considered lawfully present for purposes of health coverage eligibility. People with DACA are eligible for emergency Medicaid services when needed.

Farmworkers with a lawfully present status are potentially eligible if they are a pregnant woman or child under age 19. All other individuals are eligible to receive emergency Medicaid services. People with an H-2A visa can apply for coverage and help paying for insurance under the Health Care Marketplace (ACA).

They are potentially eligible and exempt from the five-year bar if they are a pregnant woman or child under age 19. Non-pregnant adults who are 19 and older are only eligible for emergency Medicaid services. People applying only for emergency services are not required to provide documentation of immigration status. People with non-immigrant visas who are residents of North Carolina can apply for coverage and help paying for insurance under the Health Care Marketplace (ACA).

No. They would only potentially qualify for emergency services Medicaid.

Federal law allows states to expand who can get health coverage through Medicaid, known as Medicaid expansion. Since 2014, 40 states and Washington, DC have expanded Medicaid.

Research shows that expanding Medicaid coverage increases access to health care, improves health outcomes, creates jobs and strengthens the economy. It means that people with low incomes can work, earn more and keep themselves healthy. Expansion is also good for the state. Other states that have expanded Medicaid have increased state revenues, created jobs and saved state funding. It has also helped prevent rural hospitals from closing. Most people who qualify for Medicaid under these new rules are working adults in important service industries across the state. Keeping them healthy keeps them on the job.

Everyone benefits when more people have access to affordable health care and can live healthier lives. Taxpayers will also benefit because federal funds will help the state cover more people, keep our health systems strong and reduce the cost of care.

Yes. In states that have expanded Medicaid, suicide rates decreased and access to substance use disorder treatment increased. About two million North Carolinians will experience a mental illness and substance use disorder. In 2019, more than 55% of people who needed treatment did not receive it because of cost. Untreated mental illness can lead to homelessness, involvement in the justice system and trauma to children.

Many hard-working people can finally afford to take care of their health while providing for their families. Most of those who don’t have insurance are working people with low incomes in important service industries and small businesses. By raising income limits so more people are eligible for Medicaid, more people can work without losing their health care coverage. Medicaid expansion also helps more people with disabilities enter the workforce because without it, many people with disabilities must live in poverty to maintain their Medicaid eligibility. Medicaid expansion can build a healthier workforce for businesses like child care, restaurants and the service industry by helping more employees have access to affordable health insurance.

ePASS is a website where people in North Carolina can apply for services like Medicaid. To apply for Medicaid online, visit ePASS.nc.gov to start an application. Read our fact sheet to learn more about ePASS. You can also apply for Medicaid by completing a general health insurance application on HealthCare.gov.

An enhanced ePASS account allows you to do more online so you don’t have to call or go in person to a local Department of Social Services. With an enhanced ePASS account, you can:

• See applications you may have submitted
• Report changes (like a change in address or income)
• Complete recertification paperwork (if needed)
• Upload documents for your application
• View notices or messages from your caseworker
• View office contact details
• Appeal a Medical Assistance decision

Information can also be submitted directly to the local DSS via in-person delivery, US mail, fax, or telephone. Email may also be an option at some DSS offices.

You can watch this video to learn how to set up an enhanced ePASS account. More information is also available at medicaid.nc.gov/media/12236/.

You will need to provide the following information:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Biological gender
• Address
• Social Security Number

You must be 18 or older to create an enhanced account. You can create an enhanced ePASS account anytime.

If you don’t have a Social Security Number or a credit history, you need to work directly with your local Department of Social Services to create an enhanced ePASS account. You won’t be able to create it online.

Authorized Representatives cannot create an enhanced account.

ePASS is currently only available in English and Spanish. However, all local DSS offices can connect you to a language line to provide help in other languages. Free language assistance and/or other aids and services are available upon request. To receive free interpreter services, call 866-719-0141 or ask at your local DSS. After the recorded message, you will reach an operator who can provide you with an interpreter. If you have a disability and need communication assistance, call 866-719-0141 or TTY: 711.

To view ePASS in Spanish:

• Go to epass.nc.gov
• Click "Espanol" near the upper lefthand corner

NCID stands for NC Identity Management. Having an NCID account helps protect your personal information. Anyone using ePASS to apply for Medicaid will need to create a NCID. You will be asked to create an account the first time you use ePASS. Instructions for creating an NCID account are online at https://info.ncdhhs.gov/dhsr/es/pdf/how-to-create-NCIDAccount.pdf.

A Business NCID Account is used by a person or organization who is authorized to apply on behalf of more than one applicant or household at the same time. Qualified Medical Provider staff are not allowed to act as an Authorized Representative for a Medicaid applicant. 

As a parent or guardian, you may use your NCID and ePASS account to apply for your child. Even if you are not applying for yourself, list yourself on the application as the parent.

If you need to reset your password or unlock your account:

• Go to ncid.nc.gov.
• Choose the link under the NCID login that you need:
  • Forgot Password 
  • Unlock Account 
• Enter your username and follow the directions.

If you need help, call the North Carolina Department of Information Technology Service Desk at 800-722-3946.

No, but you should try to answer as many questions as you can. If the application is incomplete, it may take longer to process. DSS will reach out to you if they do not have what is needed to complete your application, so be sure to respond to mail or phone calls.

No. The application saves automatically. You can also save your application by clicking on “Save & Exit.” When you come back to the application, it will take you to the section that you last finished.

The application date will be the date you submit the signed application. This is important because you can request that your Medicaid coverage be retroactive for up to three months from the application date. So, if you apply in March and you are eligible, Medicaid can pay bills for covered services from December, January and February. Remember, coverage under expansion can only go back to December 2023. 

• Physical Address: You do not need a physical address to apply for Medicaid. However, you must confirm you are physically in North Carolina and plan to live here. You do not need to plan to stay permanently and do not need to have a fixed address.
• Mailing address: If you do not have a mailing address, enter an address where you can pick up mail or enter the address of your local DSS office. Find a DSS office near you at ncdhhs.gov/localdss.
• Email address: You must have an email address to make an NCID and use ePASS. If you don’t have an email address, you may apply at your local DSS office, by phone or by paper application.

No. You can apply without providing your SSN. If you have one and do not include it on your application, your local DSS will call you to ask for it. Including your SSN on your application will avoid delays in processing.

If you have applied for a SSN, you can provide documents that show you have applied. 

On the “Getting Started” page, you will be asked to list household information. Make sure you include:

• You
• Your spouse (if you are legally married)
• Your children or anyone under the age of 21 in your home that you take care of and claim on your taxes
• Anyone else you claim on your tax return (dependents)

Do not use spaces or hyphens when entering names. For example, "Smith-Jones" should be entered as "SmithJones."

An Authorized Representative is an individual who is legally authorized or designated in writing by the person applying to act on their behalf. Only an Authorized Representative can complete a Medicaid application for someone else. 

No. While you must be an Authorized Representative to complete a Medicaid application for someone else, anyone can give help with the application process. For example, anyone can help someone with using a computer, understanding how to create an NCID, or show someone how to navigate ePASS. People giving help in this manner should not collect any personal identifiable information.

If you are an Authorized Representative, you will need to create an NCID. You will use the NCID to complete the application for the person you represent and to check the status of their application. If you are applying for one person/family, you can create an individual NCID for yourself. If you are applying for multiple people/families, you will need to create a Business NCID.

If you are applying on behalf of someone else, you need to provide one of the following items:

• a Designation of Authorized Representative form
• a voice signature designation (your local Department of Social Services can assist with this)
• a copy of a Power of Attorney

Guidelines for applying on behalf of someone else can be found here: epass.nc.gov/nfLearnMore.

Yes. North Carolina uses ePASS or the Federally Facilitated Marketplace on HealthCare.gov to determine eligibility for NC Medicaid in addition to other health care coverage options. You can go to HealthCare.gov to complete a general health insurance application. If you meet all eligibility criteria, you will be directly enrolled in NC Medicaid. If you do not meet eligibility criteria, you will be provided other health care coverage options through the marketplace. 

To find out if you qualify for Medicaid:

• Visit HealthCare.gov and update your Marketplace application or create a new one. After you submit your application, review your updated “Eligibility Results” to find out if you qualify for Medicaid. If the Marketplace determines that you might qualify: 
  • The Marketplace will send your information securely to the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). 
  • NCDHHS will share your information with your local Department of Social Services (DSS).
  • Your local DSS will determine if: 
  • Your application is complete and you are eligible for full Medicaid.
  • Your application is complete and you are not eligible for full Medicaid.
  • Your application is incomplete and they need to contact you for more information
  • You will get a letter or a phone call from your local DSS letting you know the status of your application. 
• Watch for a letter in the mail. If you currently have a Marketplace health plan and you might now qualify for Medicaid, you will get a letter from the Health Insurance Marketplace. The letter will tell you to visit HealthCare.gov and update your application to find out if you qualify for Medicaid coverage. But remember, you do not need to wait to receive a letter. You can update your Marketplace application any time.
• Apply for NC Medicaid directly with the state. You can apply for Medicaid any time. Be alert for scams. For example, it is not possible to “pre-qualify” for Medicaid. Visit Medicaid.nc.gov to learn more. 

If you qualify for full Medicaid, you will not be able to get financial help with the cost of your Marketplace plan. Therefore, you probably will not want to keep your Marketplace coverage because it will cost more than coverage through NC Medicaid. To avoid paying the full cost of your Marketplace plan premium and covered services, you should cancel your Marketplace coverage as soon as you find out you qualify for Medicaid.  

Once you are enrolled in full Medicaid coverage, the federal government may stop paying for part of your Marketplace plan premium (called advance payments of the premium tax credit), and you will have to cover the full cost. You don’t have to pay back premium tax credits for the months you had both Medicaid and Marketplace insurance. 

To cancel your Marketplace plan, contact the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325) or visit HealthCare.gov. For more information about when and how to cancel your Marketplace plan, visit https://www.healthcare.gov/medicaid-chip/cancelling-marketplace-plan/.