Bill that frees up pharmacists, requires parental consent for vaccines, heads to governor
The N.C. House on Thursday, Aug. 5, concurred with the Senate on a bill giving parents control over the COVID vaccine.
healthcare
NCDHHS announces Medicaid Managed Care Regional Behavioral Health I/DD tailored plans
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the selection of seven organizations to serve as Behavioral Health and Intellectual/Developmental Disability Tailored Plans (Behavioral Health I/DD Tailored Plans). Individuals who need certain services to address a serious mental illness, serious emotional disturbance, severe substance use disorder, intellectual/developmental disability or traumatic brain injury may be eligible to enroll in a Behavioral Health I/DD Tailored Plan.
NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen applauds NC healthcare association’s position supporting COVID-19 vaccine requirements for healthcare employees
North Carolina Healthcare Association (NCHA) announced its position approved by the association’s board of trustees supporting COVID-19 vaccination requirements for healthcare workers. NCHA also announced several of its member health systems intend to be first in the state to require COVID-19 vaccination for their employees.
Governor Cooper encourages North Carolinians to Get Their Shot at Forsyth County Vaccine Clinic
Governor Roy Cooper visited a vaccine clinic at the Forsyth County Department of Public Health to encourage more North Carolinians get their COVID-19 vaccine.
75% of staff in state operated healthcare facilities are vaccinated
As of July 1, 2021, 77% of staff at state-operated health care facilities are fully vaccinated according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of State Operated Healthcare Facilities, a state-operated healthcare system comprised of 14 facilities with more than 10,000 employees. In addition, 93% of residents in the state’s six congregate living facilities are fully vaccinated.
Health officials encourage parents to get preteens and teens up to date on immunizations
Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed July Adolescent Immunization Awareness Month to highlight the importance of immunizations for North Carolina’s preteens and teens. As teachers, parents and students are preparing for the start of the 2021-22 school year, public health officials remind parents and guardians to ensure their teens and preteens are current on all their vaccinations and encourage health care providers to take steps to ensure their young patients are up to date.
State Medicaid system transitions to managed care
After years of delays, North Carolina’s Medicaid program has finally transitioned to a managed care system — becoming the last large state to do so.
NC Medicaid Managed Care to Launch Statewide on July 1
Starting July 1, nearly 1.6 million Medicaid beneficiaries in North Carolina will begin receiving the same Medicaid services in a new way through NC Medicaid Managed Care health plans. Most beneficiaries will continue to get care from the same doctors they see today but will now be a member of a health plan. Some beneficiaries will not enroll with health plans and will remain in NC Medicaid Direct.
North Carolina legislative chambers agree to spending amount
With the end of the state’s fiscal year just three weeks away, the N.C. House and Senate have reached a deal for the next budget. After weeks of closed negotiations, N.C. Senate and House leaders have agreed to a top-line spending number of $25.7 billion in the first year and $26.7 in the second year. That’s a spending increase of 3.45% in the first year of the biennium and 3.65% in year two.
NC Medicaid Managed Care Health Plan assignments completed for beneficiaries
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced all Medicaid beneficiaries currently eligible to transition to managed care have selected or been assigned a health plan with 97% enrolled in a plan that includes their current primary care provider (PCP) in network.
NCDHHS Extends open enrollment for Medicaid Managed Care through May 21
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is extending open enrollment for NC Medicaid Managed Care through Friday, May 21. This extension will not impact the NC Medicaid Managed Care launch date of July 1, 2021.
NCDHHS reminds Medicaid beneficiaries of Friday, May 14 open enrollment deadline for NC Medicaid Managed Care
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is in its final week of open enrollment for NC Medicaid Managed Care. Through Friday, May 14, beneficiaries can choose a primary care provider (PCP) and a health plan for their families’ care in preparation for the launch of NC Medicaid Managed Care on July 1.