New Research from North Carolina For Better Medicaid

Press Release

North Carolina

New Research from North Carolina For Better Medicaid shows drastically low awareness of the Medicaid Managed Care Transformation beginning July 1

(Raleigh, N.C., June 9, 2021) Today, North Carolina for Better Medicaid (NCBM), a coalition of dedicated health care advocates from across North Carolina, released research from a statewide survey on the upcoming transition to Medicaid Managed Care. With this Thursday marking three weeks until the transformation, today’s research shows a vital need for more awareness before the July 1st change impacts millions of North Carolinians. However, once provided with baseline information and education on Managed Care, residents across the state strongly supported the transition and overwhelmingly approved of its focus on improving patient access and care. &nbsp;The research, conducted for NCBM by APCO Insight, surveyed a representative sample of 1,000 North Carolina residents from across the state. Findings from this public survey show low awareness from North Carolinians on how the upcoming move to a Managed Care model will impact their lives, including increasing access to whole-person, high-quality health care and bringing savings to the state budget. NCBM found that prior to participating in the survey, 62% of respondents knew very little or nothing at all about the Medicaid transformation taking place July 1st, despite open enrollment occurring throughout March, April and May. &nbsp;“With the well-being of North Carolinians at stake, and as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more critical than ever that we make sure all eligible individuals are aware of the importance of Medicaid Managed Care. The North Carolina Community Action Association (NCCAA) is proud to join NCBM in highlighting the ability of managed care to improve access to preventive health and wellness programs and incentivize providers to help patients achieve long-term health,” said Yvette Ruffin, Communications Director at the NCCAA.While today’s research shows low awareness of the upcoming transformation, it simultaneously shows strong support for the potential benefits of a Medicaid Managed Care model. Seventy percent of survey participants had a positive impression when they learned of the transformation’s focus on improving access to preventive health and wellness programs, and 68% support its potential to drive down long-term health care costs. The research also found 67% of respondents had a positive impression of Medicaid Managed Care’s ability to improve access to care for North Carolina’s most vulnerable. NCBM saw similar levels of support from survey respondents across regions, gender, and education, with an especially high percent of Millennials (73%) and Black North Carolinians (73%) in favor of the transformation. There is also bi-partisan support for the transition to Managed Care with a majority of Democrats and a plurality of Republicans supporting transformation.“We are thrilled to see strong statewide support from across the state for moving to Medicaid Managed Care. Over the past five years since Medicaid Managed Care passed, the need for this transformation has only grown, especially within our state’s most vulnerable populations. While encouraged by the support, we also see the need for statewide leaders to raise awareness of this transformation which will improve health care delivery in North Carolina while driving down long-term health costs,” said Susan Pettengill, VP of Healthy Living, YMCA of the Triangle.Today’s research stems from NCBM’s mission to produce evidence-based research, serve as a trusted resource, and work with key stakeholders and decision-makers in North Carolina to raise awareness of the July 1st transformation. NCBM coalition members pledge to continue advocating and educating all North Carolinians about Medicaid Managed Care and encourage legislators and local organizations to participate as well. For more information on how to join NCBM or support its efforts, please visit northcarolinaforbettermedicaid.orgFor more information on today’s research, or for media interested in speaking with coalition members on Medicaid Managed Care, please contact Alex Sopko at asopko@apcoworldwide.com or 202-631-2927.You can find North Carolina for Better Medicaid on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NCforBetter/">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NCforBetter/">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/nc-for-better/">LinkedIn</a>. &nbsp;&nbsp;About North Carolina for Better MedicaidNorth Carolina for Better Medicaid is a multi-stakeholder, consensus-based group of organizations committed to building a better Medicaid system that improves access, quality, outcomes and affordability in North Carolina. Our members include patient advocates, community-based organizations, health care leaders, health plans and others who are champions of Medicaid and Medicaid Managed Care. Current members include credible and diverse voices in healthcare including Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Mountain Projects Community Action Agency, I-CARE, Inc., the Economic Improvement Council, North Carolina Community Action Association, the North Carolina Black Alliance, the North Carolina Senior Living Association, the YMCA of the Triangle, NC Child, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Healthy Blue), and UnitedHealth Group, who are working to ensure a successful transition to Managed Care and improve health care in the state. Learn more at northcarolinaforbettermedicaid.org.About APCO InsightNorth Carolina for Better Medicaid’s survey was conducted by APCO Insight, the research, strategy and measurement consultancy of APCO Worldwide. The survey was conducted online from April 29th to May 4th, 2021 among 1,000 residents of North Carolina. The data were weighted by age, gender, race, and educational status to provide a representative sample of North Carolina residents. The survey has a margin of error of ±3.1.&nbsp;

Medicaid Managed Care is a key solution that can help our state improve access to care by addressing important beneficiary health and wellness needs, including mental health, substance use disorders and developmental disability issues.
 

Improving Access

Medicaid Managed Care provides a better experience by putting people at the center of care and giving providers tools to better coordinate care.

Improving the Health Care Experience

Research demonstrates that Medicaid Managed Care delivers superior health outcomes compared with fee-for-service models and is also better positioned to address health disparities by focusing on whole-person care and addressing the social determinants of health.


Driving Better Health Outcomes

Medicaid Managed Care provides a more sustainable Medicaid system for beneficiaries, the government and taxpayers. 

Lowering Health Costs

Contact us here with questions or to join our efforts to enhance access, provide a better experience and improve outcomes at a lower cost.

We are a multi-stakeholder group of patient advocates, community-based organizations, health care leaders, health plans and others committed to building a better Medicaid system that improves access, quality, outcomes and affordability through Managed Care in North Carolina.

Who We Are

North Carolina for Better Medicaid_Membership Agreement.pdf

Download Sign Up Form

Join us as we work to amplify diverse and often underrepresented voices to show the value of Medicaid Managed Care in North Carolina.

Get Involved

We’re eager to work with groups across North Carolina that support Medicaid Managed Care. Sign-up to become a member.

**We’re eager to share more about Medicaid Managed Care.**

Contact us here to ask questions, support our efforts, or join North Carolina for Better Medicaid.

Medicaid Managed Care enhances access to care, provides a better experience and improves outcomes at a lower cost.

large_stock-image-037.jpg

medium_stock-image-037.jpg

small_stock-image-037.jpg

thumbnail_stock-image-037.jpg

feature image_NC_1

Building a better Medicaid system in North Carolina.

We believe that Medicaid Managed Care is the best way to enhance access to care, provide an improved experience for both patients and providers, drive better health outcomes and lower costs.

We are committed to several core beliefs that will ensure North Carolina strengthens Medicaid.

What We Believe

A multi-stakeholder, consensus-based group of patient advocates, community-based organizations, health care leaders, health plans and others who are champions of Medicaid and Medicaid Managed Care.

We are committed to building a better Medicaid system that improves access, quality, outcomes and affordability in North Carolina.

Stay up to date on the latest news from North Carolina for Better Medicaid and check out media coverage about Medicaid Managed Care.

News

Learn more about Medicaid Managed Care in North Carolina through our library of key resources.

New Research from North Carolina For Better Medicaid shows drastically low awareness of the Medicaid Managed Care Transformation beginning July 1

Share