Organization name: North Carolina Health Choice (NCHC) Health Insurance Program for Children

Purpose/mission: The North Carolina Health Choice (NCHC) Health Insurance Program for Children is a comprehensive health coverage program for low-income children. If you do not qualify for Medicaid, but cannot to afford private or employer-sponsored health insurance, your children may qualify for NCHC.

Population served: Low-income children

Services/programs/resources offered:

• • Health insurance coverage

Costs/requirements to participate:

• • Eligibility

    • • Available to children ages 6-18

      • You also must:

        1. • Be a U.S. citizen or provide proof of eligible immigration status (if you are applying for only emergency services, you are not required to provide documentation of immigration status)

           • Live in North Carolina and provide proof of residency

           • Have a Social Security number or have applied for one

      • Your local Department of Social Services  (DSS) caseworker will help determine if you are eligible for NC Health Choice. Eligibility depends on your age, health needs, income and resources.

  • Enrollment Fees

    • • If your family monthly income is above 159% of the federal poverty level, there is an enrollment fee of $50 for one child or $100 for two or more children. The enrollment fee must be paid for each 12-month continuous enrollment period.

      • If your family monthly income is at or below the 159% poverty level, there is no enrollment fee.

  • Copayments

    • • A copayment is a fixed amount of money that you are required to pay providers when receiving health care services. The copayment amount depends on your family income.

      • If your monthly income is above 159% of the federal poverty level, copayments are:

        1. • $25 for non-emergency emergency room use

           • $5 per physician visit

           • Prescription drugs: $1 for a generic drug, $1 for a brand drug for which no generic is available, and $10 for brand drug for which there is a generic available

      • If your family monthly income is less than or equal to 159% of the federal poverty level, copayments are:

        1. • $0 per physician visit

           • $10 for non-emergency emergency room use

           • Prescription drugs: $1 for a generic drug, $1 for a brand drug for which no generic is available, and $3 for brand drug for which there is a generic available.

How families can access more information if interested in pursuing:

• • Contact info:

    • • NC Medicaid Contact Center: 888-245-0179

      • NCDHHS Customer Service Center: 800-662-7030

      • Alamance County DSS: 336-570-6532

  • Website: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/assistance/childrens-services/health-choice-for-children