Questions and Answers about Medicaid Expansion
North Carolina is providing health care coverage to more people through Medicaid.
Last updated: December 1, 2023
Quick Facts about North Carolina’s Medicaid Expansion
- North Carolina expanded who can get Medicaid starting December 1, 2023.
- Adults ages 19 through 64 earning up to 138% of the federal poverty line (e.g., singles earning about $20,000/year or families of three earning about $34,000/year) may be eligible.
- The best way to apply is online through ePASS; you can also apply in-person, by phone or mailed applications. The processing time for applications can be up to 45 days. Applications submitted online may be processed faster.
- The coverage is comprehensive, including services like primary care, hospital stays, maternity care, vision and hearing, dental/oral health care and more.
- Medicaid pays for doctor visits, yearly check-ups, emergency care, mental health and more – at little or no cost to you.
- Current beneficiaries with full Medicaid coverage will not see any changes.
General Info: An overview of NC Medicaid expansion, including a toolkit with materials to share
General Questions
Yes. More North Carolinians can now get health care coverage through Medicaid. Starting Dec. 1, 2023, NC Medicaid covers people ages 19 through 64 years with higher incomes. Many North Carolinians who did not qualify for health coverage through NC Medicaid prior to Dec. 1, 2023 may now qualify.
Health coverage through Medicaid is comprehensive. Because these services are covered by NC Medicaid, they are provided at no cost or low cost to you. Services include, but are not limited to:
- Primary care so you can go to a doctor for a check-up or when you are not feeling well
- Hospital services when you need to stay overnight (inpatient) or when you can go home the same day (outpatient)
- Maternity and postpartum care if you are pregnant and after giving birth
- Vision and hearing services
- Prescription drug benefits
- Behavioral health
- Preventive and wellness services
- Dental and oral health services
- Medical-related devices and other therapies
Most people can get health care coverage through NC Medicaid if they meet the criteria below. If you were eligible before, you still are. Eligibility criteria:
- You live in North Carolina
- Age 19 through 64
- You are a citizen (some non-U.S. citizens can get health coverage through NC Medicaid)
- If your household income fits within the chart below:
Household Size | Annual Income before Taxes |
---|---|
Single Adults | $20,120 or less |
Family of 2 | $27,214 or less |
Family of 3 | $34,307 or less |
Family of 4 | $41,400 or less |
Family of 5 | $48,493 or less |
Family of 6 | $55,586 or less |
You can apply online through ePASS – a secure, self-service website at ePASS.nc.gov. When you apply online, you can avoid having to go in person to your local Department of Social Services (DSS) office. If your application is complete, it may be processed faster.
If you cannot apply online, you can apply in person at your local DSS office, by calling your local DSS office or by mailing in a paper application available at medicaid.nc.gov/print-application. To find your local DSS office, go to ncdhhs.gov/localDSS.
You cannot “pre-qualify” for Medicaid. You will be assessed for eligibility and evaluated for all Medicaid programs, using the eligibility rules. Be on alert for scams. It is not possible to “pre-qualify” for Medicaid.
Parents who do not meet eligibility requirements for coverage as a Parent/Caretaker can still qualify under the expanded rules if they are aged 19 through 64 and meet other eligibility requirements. All children in the home under 21 years of age must have health insurance that meets the Affordable Care Act requirements. That health insurance could be Medicaid or private health coverage.
It may take up to 45 days after you apply. Incomplete applications may take longer. If your application is incomplete or we need more information, you will hear from your local DSS office requesting additional information. You may be contacted by mail, phone, email and/or text message, so it is important to make sure your contact information is up to date and complete so your caseworker can reach you.
You will receive a letter in the mail that will tell you if you are approved or denied. Authorized Representatives will receive the same communication.
The date coverage begins depends on when you apply for Medicaid. Here are examples of situations people may have:
- You apply for Medicaid in December. Your application is not processed until January (or later). But you need care in December. If you are eligible, your Medicaid coverage will be retroactive to December 1. That means if you get care in December, your provider can bill for services that Medicaid covers. You should not have to pay out of pocket. You may have to pay a copay.
- You apply for Medicaid in January 2024 (or later) but have medical bills you need to pay from services you received in December 2023. When you apply for Medicaid, make sure you answer the questions that ask about medical bills from prior months. You can request that your Medicaid coverage be retroactive for up to three months before the month you applied. 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.
Some non-U.S. citizens can get health coverage through Medicaid. To be eligible you must be:
- A person living in North Carolina
- A qualified non-citizen for at least five years
- This means a person must wait five years after receiving "qualified" immigration status before they can get Medicaid.
- There are exceptions. For example, refugees, asylees or lawful permanent residents who used to be refugees or asylees do not have to wait five years.
Individuals without documents are not eligible for Medicaid unless they have an emergency condition as defined under federal law – such as someone in a car accident who is taken to the emergency room.
It takes time to complete the application. Here is some of the information you will be asked to provide for each person applying:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Social Security number (or immigration documents)
- North Carolina residency
- Income information (from paystubs, W-2 forms, tax returns or business records)
North Carolina uses external resources to verify the information you provide. If more information is needed, you will receive a letter in the mail from your local DSS.
North Carolina Residency |
· A photo ID with your NC address listed, or · A utility bill, or · A lease or mortgage agreement, or · Vehicle registration, or · Documentation of employment, or · If you do not have any documentation, you can check a box in ePASS labeled “NC Residency Declaration.” |
---|---|
Income |
· If you’re Employed - pay stubs, employer verification or your most recent tax return to show proof of your income. · If you’re Self-Employed - your most recent tax return or copies of your business records. If you don’t have that, you can fill out a Verification Form for Self-Employment Income and Expenses form. |
Date of Birth |
· A photo ID with your date of birth listed, or · Birth certificate. |
Social Security Number |
· A copy of your Social Security card, or · Another official document containing your name and Social Security number, or · A military ID card. |
Citizenship |
· Birth Certificate, or · Passport. |
Immigration Status | · A copy of your VISA/immigration card. |
Coverage and Costs
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.
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 $2,370 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.
Expansion Benefits
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 and Medicaid Application
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.
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:
- 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.
Health Care Marketplace Plans
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.
You can choose either option, but your Marketplace plan coverage start date depends on when you enroll. If you enroll in a Marketplace plan by December 15, 2023, your coverage begins on January 1, 2024. If you enroll between December 16, 2023 and January 16, 2024, your coverage starts February 1, 2024. If you choose to wait and then find out you do not qualify for Medicaid, you could risk missing the December 15 enrollment deadline for coverage starting January 1.
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.
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/.