Medicaid expansion comes to Cumberland County: 35,000 more could be covered

The Medicaid program in North Carolina could grow by more than 600,000 residents with the expansion of the state’s program, which is set to begin Friday.

In Cumberland County, Medicaid is expected to add 35,000 to the rolls, Jon Soles, a county spokesman, wrote in response to questions.

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He said people can sign up quickly and conveniently by visiting the ePass webpage operated by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.

So, what is Medicaid expansion?

Medicaid expansion is part of the federal Affordable Care Act, also known as "Obamacare," which passed in 2010. States have the choice of whether to opt into the program, which helps lower income people pay for health care, including screenings and hospital and clinic care.

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Republicans in the N.C. General Assembly resisted the expansion, which led to more than a decade of political wrangling with the state’s Democrats. A bipartisan effort moved the effort forward in recent years, and Gov. Roy Cooper signed it into law in March, making North Carolina the 40th state to expand Medicaid.

What do I need to do, if I think I am eligible and want to apply? 

Adults may be eligible if they are ages 19 to 64 and earn up to 138% of the federal poverty line, according to online Q&A released by the state Dept. of Health & Human Services.

In addition to using ePass, residents can download a form, fill it out and mail it to the Cumberland County Department of Social Services at 1225 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28302. They can also deposit the form into drop boxes at the building.

“Citizens may also apply in person,” a county news release states. “However, due to the anticipated high demand, citizens should be prepared for longer wait times for in-person assistance.”

Is Cumberland County ready for the expansion?

County officials believe they are. 

“Cumberland County DSS understands Medicaid Expansion’s significance for our community, and staff have been diligently preparing for this expansion,” the county’s release states. “The anticipated high demand could impact wait times related to applying and processing Medicaid Expansion benefits.”

County DSS will also hold outreach activities, dates to be announced later, according to the release.

What impact will expansion have on Cape Fear Valley Health and its patients?

“The biggest impact will be the community’s ability to have improved access to primary care, as most practices accept Medicaid,” said Bart Fiser, who is vice president for Revenue Cycle and Managed Care for Cape Fear Valley, the county's largest health system and a regional provider. “Previously, many uninsured patients’ only option for healthcare was the Emergency Department.”

He said more patients would flow into physicians’ practices, and there will be fewer non-emergency cases would come into the Emergency Department. Cape Fear Valley Medical Center has one of the country’s busiest ERs, ranking 16th for 2022 in a poll in Becker's Hospital Review magazine. More than 124,000 people were treated in the ER, according to the survey.

Where do I go for more information?

The county has a webpage on Medicaid expansion that links to toolkits with further information. State Health and Human Services operates a website as well that answers a number of questions. 

HealthCare.gov, the “Obamacare” enrollment site, has a webpage, “Medicaid expansion & what it means for you” that looks at the issue at both the federal and state levels and lays out options and things to think about for those considering enrollment.

Meanwhile, Cape Fear Valley Health is holding a Medicaid Enrollment Fair at its Center for Graduate Education and Neuroscience Institute on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“We will be taking applications and helping people through that process,” says Fiser with the health system. “If the turnout is good, we will continue to have more of those in December and potentially throughout January 2024.”

Myron B. Pitts can be reached at mpitts@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3559.