Governor Cooper proudly announced a significant milestone in North Carolina’s healthcare: over 400,000 residents now have access to healthcare through the state’s Medicaid expansion.
This achievement comes as a result of record enrollment numbers and a concerted effort to ensure that North Carolinians across the state are enrolled in the program.
Expressing his satisfaction with the progress, Governor Roy Cooper emphasized the critical role Medicaid expansion plays in providing affordable health insurance to thousands of younger, working individuals in the state, spanning ages up to 64. He underscored the life-changing impact of this expansion, vowing to continue efforts to enroll eligible North Carolinians.
Governor Roy Cooper (Credits: AP News)
N.C. Health and Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley echoed Governor Cooper’s sentiments, lauding the initiative’s success. Kinsley highlighted the transformative effect of access to healthcare for North Carolinians, emphasizing its importance in addressing physical health, behavioral health, dental care, prescription needs, and more.
The milestone of over 400,000 enrollments marks a significant step towards North Carolina’s goal of enrolling 600,000 individuals over the next two years. Since December 1, the state has seen an average daily enrollment exceeding 1,000 people, surpassing the pace of other states implementing Medicaid expansion.
North Carolina Gov. Cooper (Credits: WCCB Charlotte)
A considerable portion of the new enrollees comprises young adults aged 19 to 29 who work either part-time or full-time, with rural communities showing a disproportionate increase in enrollment. Robeson County stands out as the county with the highest enrollees per population.
For the 400,000 individuals newly enrolled in Medicaid, the program has already facilitated access to essential healthcare services. This includes over 705,000 prescriptions for various health conditions, such as heart health and diabetes, and coverage of over $11.2 million in claims for dental services since the launch on December 1.
The NCDHHS Medicaid Expansion website is a comprehensive resource for eligibility information, frequently asked questions, application procedures, and updates. North Carolinians interested in learning more or applying for NC Medicaid can visit Medicaid.nc.gov.
