N.C. Health & Human Services seeks public input on Medicaid reform, hosts Asheville public meeting May 12

From N.C. Health and Human Services:

Public Input Sought on Medicaid Reform; Sessions Scheduled Across the State

RALEIGH – The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is seeking additional public input on the transformation of the Medicaid and NC Health Choice programs (also known as “Medicaid reform”). Ideas and comments can be submitted from April 25 to 11:59 p.m. on May 25, 2017.

“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. 

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.

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.

Public input sessions will be held in four locations across the state during May 2017:

• May 1, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Greensboro – Guilford County DHHS Building, 1203 Maple St., Rooms 122 and 123
• May 10, 3-5 p.m., Greenville – Greenville Convention Center, 303 Greenville Blvd. SW, Emerald Ballroom
• May 12, 2-4 p.m., Asheville – Asheville-Buncombe Technical College, 340 Victoria Road, Ferguson Auditorium
• May 16, 6-8 p.m., Raleigh – McKimmon Conference & Training Center, 1101 Gorman St.

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.

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