ONSLOW COUNTY, NC (WITN) Changes are coming to state healthcare in 2020 as Medicaid recipients are expected to have better options for keeping all their healthcare under one roof, but that may mean changing providers for some.
A new system is going to have qualifying recipients choose a healthcare plan through Medicaid, as opposed to the current fee per service system, and the goal is to make healthcare more comprehensive.
On the fee per service system doctors can be limited to only being able to provide patients with certain services, meaning patients often end up having multiple doctors for various medical needs.
Lisa Hall is one of more than 2 million North Carolinians receiving Medicaid. “Well, I’ve have 4 strokes, a heart attack, got 6 bulging discs, and now I’ve got a broken arm and 2 bad knees and a bad right ankle.”
Hall adds, “I keep getting phone calls saying go with this plan or go with this plan.”
Hall, like others who qualify, will have to select a healthcare plan by December 13th, or it will be automatically assigned.
Experts say the plans are meant to make healthcare more comprehensive. Participating doctors will offer more services, ones that experts say Medicaid recipients often need, such as transportation and mental health resources.
Sarah Diroma, Onslow County Medicaid expert says, “So it’s going to be with an insurance plan, so clients are going to have a little more freedom to choose, they’re going to be able to pick their plans.”
For clients like Hall, she expects her healthcare needs will only continue to grow saying, “I’m 54, and it’s just, it’s age.”
Doctors can choose which plans they want to accept, which could mean some patients may have to switch doctors. That is expected to be on a case-by-case basis, but general eligibility requirements will not change.
Diroma says, “Eligibility does not change with Medicaid currently, that will stay the same. The only thing that’s going to change is how Medicaid is being delivered to the clients. Benefits, they’re going to have more benefits.”
This Medicaid change is statewide and experts are available at health departments to help people select their plans by December 13th.