Medicaid Expansion takes effect tomorrow, December 1st

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Medicaid Expansion will officially take effect Dec 1. This will allow more North Carolina residents, ages 19 through 64, access to healthcare. 

You must be a United States citizen, living in North Carolina, and have a household income that is below 138% of the federal poverty level.  

This would equal around $20,000 for a single adult, or about $34,000 for a family of three. 

Medicaid Expansion is designed to allow more people more access to coverage for doctor visits, yearly check-ups, emergency care, and more.

You can apply online or submit a paper application in person at New Hanover County Health and Human Services at 1650 Greenfield Street.

In addition to providing your social security number or immigration documents, you must also provide documents that verify North Carolina residency and your income.  

“We are staffed and ready to service everyone who comes through the door,” New Hanover County’s Social Services Director, Tonya Jackson, said. 

Jackson said she’s happy to see the county and the state be given this opportunity.  

“When someone is able to remain healthy, they are able sustain employment, they are able to be more effective in their parenting, and they are able to be more effective in the community,” Jackson said. “The importance of the community having access to adequate health coverage will be so impactful throughout the entire state.”  

Jackson said another key part of the expansion is the fact that anyone who is approved for Medicaid will also have access to mental healthcare coverage.   

“We can actually work on taking care of an individual wholeheartedly because we want to look at all of the health of our residents. Not just the medical health but the mental health is also as important,” Jackson said. 

New Hanover County Health and Human Services will be holding outreach events throughout the month of December to help answer any questions. The dates are as follows: 

• Saturday, December 2, noon-3 p.m.: Union Missionary Baptist Church (2711 Princess Place Drive, Wilmington) 
• Tuesday, December 5, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: YWCA (2815 College Rd, Wilmington) 
• Wednesday, December 6, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Nir Family YMCA (2710 Market Street, Wilmington) 
• Thursday, December 7, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: New Hanover County Main Library (201 Chestnut Street, Wilmington) 
• Saturday, December 9, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: New Hanover County Pleasure Island Library (1401 N Lake Park Blvd #72, Carolina Beach) 
• Tuesday, December 12, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: YWCA (2815 College Rd, Wilmington) 
• Wednesday, December 13, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Nir Family YMCA (2710 Market Street, Wilmington) 
• Thursday, December 14, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: New Hanover County Main Library (201 Chestnut Street, Wilmington) 
• Saturday, December 16, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: New Hanover County Northeast Library (1241 Military Cutoff Rd, Wilmington) 
• Tuesday, December 19, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: YWCA (2815 College Rd, Wilmington) 
• Wednesday, December 20, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Nir Family YMCA (2710 Market Street, Wilmington) 
• Thursday, December 21, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: New Hanover County Main Library (201 Chestnut Street, Wilmington)