North Carolina Expands Medicaid, Adding Hundreds of Thousands to Rolls

The expansion, funded largely by the federal government, is expected to bring $8 billion annually into the state, aiding hospitals and local economies.

North Carolina is set to add hundreds of thousands of adults to its Medicaid rolls, becoming the 40th state to opt into the expanded Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act.
More than 600,000 North Carolinians are expected to qualify, with around half to be automatically enrolled, allowing them to receive annual checkups, prescription drugs, and other services with little or no out-of-pocket expenses.
The federal government will cover 90% of the cost, with North Carolina hospitals covering the state's 10% share of expenses through increased assessments.
The expansion is expected to bring $8 billion in federal funds into the state annually, helping to reimburse rural hospitals that treat high numbers of uninsured people and potentially generating economic benefits through the health care system.
The state has added social workers and improved technology to review Medicaid eligibility for all enrollees, and is working with local organizations to inform people newly qualified for publicly funded care.