N.C. Dept. of Health & Human Services holds Medicaid reform public input session in Asheville May 12

From the N.C. Department of Health & Human Services:

Asheville Medicaid Reform Public Input Session Scheduled For Friday

RALEIGH – The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will hold a public input session on the transformation of the Medicaid and NC Health Choice programs (also known as “Medicaid reform”) in Asheville on Friday, May 12.

“Our goal is to improve the health and well-being of all North Carolinians. Our department values an open and collaborative process with our stakeholder community to build a strong, efficient Medicaid program,” says Dr. Mandy Cohen, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.  

The session, the third of four being held across the state, is scheduled 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Asheville-Buncombe Technical College, 340 Victoria Road, Ferguson Auditorium. Anyone interested in improving the health of North Carolinians is welcome to attend, including Medicaid beneficiaries, their family and friends, advocates and health care providers.

Deputy Secretary Christen Linke Young will open the session with brief remarks about the department’s vision for Medicaid transformation and the importance of listening to the public. While all feedback is welcome, the department is looking for input on several topics. Specifically, how can or should North Carolina’s Medicaid and NC Health Choice programs: 

• Care for the whole person to improve physical and mental health,

• Help doctors and other health care providers transition to managed care,

• Manage care to improve overall health, not only to treat injury or illness,

• Consider the impact of income, housing, lifestyle and other social circumstances on health and health care services,

• Improve quality of care,

• Pay for value, and

• Increase access to care and treat substance use disorder.

Attendees may make a two-minute statement or listen as an audience member. Registration will be at the venue. Written comments can be sent by email to MedicaidReform@dhhs.nc.gov; by U.S. mail to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Benefits, 1950 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-1950; or delivered in person at the Department of Health and Human Services, Dorothea Dix Campus, Adams Building, 101 Blair Drive, Raleigh.

Ideas and comments can be submitted until 11:59 p.m. on May 25. Input will be used by the department as it considers whether modifications are needed to the Section 1115 waiver application submitted June 1, 2016, to the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services – the federal agency that oversees Medicaid and NC Health Choice.

For additional information regarding transformation efforts and to view progress updates, please visit: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/nc-medicaid-reform.