Medicaid

Audit Finds DHHS Did Not Fully Test New Computer System

Gurnal Scott — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:27:18 +0000

The state Auditor has found that the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services did not fully test a new computer system.

The DHHS system was installed to start processing Medicaid claims beginning in July. Beth Wood's audit found that the nearly $500 million computer system was not put through all of its paces. The report raises questions about the software and its ability to handle Medicaid claims paid by the state that exceed $12 billion.

VIDEO: Gov. McCrory Gives GOP Response To President Obama's Weekly Address

Gurnal Scott — Mon, 06 May 2013 13:28:22 +0000

Gov. Pat McCrory gave a national audience a glimpse into reforms he wants to implement in North Carolina. He delivered this past weekend's GOP response to President Obama's weekly address.

McCrory criticized what he called Washington's "weak leadership" and urged national lawmakers to give more flexibility and accountability to states. He says he needs that kind of freedom to implement a different approach to Medicaid reform.

Proposal Would Extend Medicaid Coverage For Alzheimer's And Dementia

Will Michaels — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 11:44:00 +0000

A committee in the state House is considering a measure to extend Medicaid coverage for people who have Alzheimer's and dementia.

Governor Wants Managed Care For Medicaid

Jessica Jones — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 20:35:36 +0000

Governor Pat McCrory has announced a plan that could privatize the state's Medicaid program that serves low-income people.

The state will hold a competitive bidding process for three big managed-care providers to deliver medical, mental and dental services to patients. Governor McCrory says the plan will help streamline the delivery of Medicaid services.

North Carolina Lawmakers Reject Medicaid Expansion

Alex Granados and Frank Stasio — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 15:29:34 +0000

North Carolina’s Republican Lawmakers are sticking by conservative principles early in Gov. Pat McCrory’s first term. Last week, he signed legislation cutting unemployment benefits. The move was an attempt to pay back debt owed the federal government earlier.

And this week, legislators voted for and sent along a piece of legislation that would reject a federal option to expand Medicaid.

Lawmakers Pass Group Home Fix

Jessica Jones — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 13:00:00 +0000

State lawmakers have passed a bill that would provide emergency funding to maintain care for group home residents across the state.

Legislators in the Senate voted unanimously to approve House Bill 5 yesterday. It will allow group home residents and patients in special dementia units to remain where they are for now. The bill specifies that a 40 million dollar pot of money that's already being used for adult care home residents can also be used to help group home residents.

Group Home Residents Need Place to Live, New NC Secretary Promises Help

Jessica Jones — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 13:00:00 +0000

North Carolina's new Secretary of Health and Human Services says she's committed to helping residents of group homes find a place to live at the end of the month. About 14 hundred people with mental illnesses or developmental disabilities are no longer eligible for Medicaid reimbursements for personal care services.

The outgoing Governor, Bev Perdue, allocated one million dollars from a rental assistance fund to keep remaining group home residents in place until the end of January. But everyone's aware that money will run out, says Secretary Aldona Vos.

Group Home Funding May Run Out

Isaac-Davy Aronson — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 12:55:00 +0000

About 2,000 people with severe mental illness are facing eviction from group homes at the end of the year.

NC Delegates Wrap Up Week In Tampa

Isaac-Davy Aronson and NPR StateImpact Florida — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 15:20:00 +0000

North Carolina's delegates to the Republican National Convention are headed home, after their big week in Tampa. Delegate John Steward from Union County joined thousands of fellow party members at Mitt Romney's nomination acceptance speech last night. He says he likes that Romney is not backing away from cutting federal spending.

John Steward says, "I really liked the fact they're not backing off the Medicaid and Medicare - the only way to save it is to reform it and they're not backing off of that."

State Officials Have Plans to Close Medicaid Shortfall

Jessica Jones — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:49:00 +0000

State officials say they have a plan to close a huge shortfall in North Carolina's Medicaid budget.