The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has announced the launch of tailored plans for Medicaid managed care, specifically for individuals with behavioral health or intellectual or developmental disabilities. This initiative is expected to benefit over 210,000 people in the state.
The tailored plans, which officially began on Monday, involve enrollees receiving care through one of four designated companies based on their geographic area. While patients will continue to receive services related to their disabilities or mental health needs, they will now utilize primary care physicians, doctors, and specialists within their plan’s network.
Previously, the transition to a managed care system had been postponed for individuals with severe disabilities and mental health needs. With almost 3 million people now enrolled in some form of Medicaid in North Carolina, the addition of tailored plans marks a significant step forward in improving the state’s healthcare system.
Enrollees who qualify for tailored plans but choose to opt out may miss out on services not provided by other Medicaid managed care plans, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. Medicaid managed care in North Carolina has been in the works since 2015 and has been seen as a way to enhance health outcomes and control costs.
Overall, the introduction of tailored plans for Medicaid managed care in North Carolina represents a critical milestone in efforts to strengthen the state’s healthcare system and provide more accessible and effective services for individuals with behavioral health or developmental disabilities.
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