Medicaid, Carolina Access, and Health Choice.  Three completely different, and, somewhat, independent programs.  What are the differences?  Who is eligible for what? 

I am reminded of the Monty Hall problem that I learned in a college Statistics class (which, BTW, was my most-hated class in college).  The Monty Hall problem is a brainteaser, a hypothetical, statistical mindbender and it goes like this:

Suppose you’re on a game show, and you’re given the choice of three doors: Behind one door is a car; behind the others, goats. You pick a door, say No. 1, and the host, who knows what’s behind the doors, opens another door, say No. 3, which has a goat. He then says to you, “Do you want to pick door No. 2?” Is it to your advantage to switch your choice?

I am not alluding that Medicaid, Carolina Access, and Health Choice are the equivalent of picking a prize from behind three doors.  Obviously, not.  But when you don’t know the difference between the programs or which program could benefit you, it can seem as if you are just picking a prize behind three doors.  Or throwing darts at a dartboard of choices.  Without information, knowing which program can benefit you can be a mystery. 

In this blog, I would like to take the mystique out of Medicaid, Carolina Access and Health Choice.  So that you know which program, if any, could be applicable to you, a relative, friend, or, even, a client.

First, door number 1: Medicaid is health insurance for low-income families and individuals who are eligible.  Depending on the category for which you are applying, the income cap differs.  For a complete rundown of Medicaid eligibility, click here.

Medicaid is a highly regulated program, both federally and on the state level.  But no federal statutes speak to how Medicaid recipients can choose their health care physicians or a long-term treatment plan.

Hence, door number 2:

Carolina Access (CA).  CA is an option for comprehensive managed care that directs Medicaid recipients to primary-care doctors or clinics that can best serve all their needs. CA helps find Medicaid recipients “health care homes.”  With CA, recipients also have 24-hour access to medical advice and emergency treatment. 

If you are eligible for Medicaid, you may be eligible for CA, but not always.

CA began as a pilot program within 5 counties in 1991 and went statewide in 1998.

Medicaid recipients are enrolled in CCNC/CA by the Department of Social Services located in the county in which they reside. Enrollment can be done at anytime during the recipient’s eligibility period; however, it is required at application or review for continuation of eligibility. The program aid category of eligibility determines if a recipient is mandatory, optional, or ineligible for enrollment in CCNC.  See NC DMA website.

Below is a chart of eligibility for CA:

According to the December 2013 CCNC/CA Enrollment Report, there were 1.58+ Medicaid enrollees throughout North Carolina.  1.47+ of those Medicaid enrollees were eligible for CA.  1.35+ actually enrolled in CA at a 92% realization rate.

And now we come to Door #3:

Because Medicaid only covers those with low-incomes and many people who are not eligible for Medicaid still cannot afford insurance, NC has created door number three: Health Choice.  Health Choice only covers children.  Eligibility for Health Choice is defined by NC statute.  According to NC Gen. Stat. 108A-70.21, children are eligible for Health Choice if they are:

• Between the ages of 6 through 18;
• Ineligible for Medicaid, Medicare, or other federal government-sponsored health insurance;
• Uninsured;
• Live in a family whose family income is above one hundred thirty-three percent (133%) through two hundred percent (200%) of the federal poverty level;
• A resident of this State and eligible under federal law; and
• Someone who has paid the Program enrollment fee required under this Part.

So….there it is….the three programs, Medicaid, Health Choice and Carolina Access, somewhat de-mystified. 

I understand that I cannot cover all aspects of all three programs in this blog, but, hopefully, this helps a bit.  So it does not feel like you are picking randomly a prize from 3 doors.