Thousands of Wake residents will see their health coverage change this fall in money-saving move

In an effort to save the state money, lawmakers several years ago ordered Medicaid to switch from its traditional fee-for-service model to a managed care system in which providers would be tasked with caring for Medicaid recipients for a set annual fee.

"We are focusing on improved health and paying for health rather than just paying for services," said Debra Farrington, chief of staff for North Carolina's Medicaid program.

Enrollment in the new system opened Monday in 27 counties, including Wake County, and runs through mid-September.

"This is the most significant change in the Medicaid program since its inception," Farrington said. "People will still qualify for Medicaid in the way they do now, but working with prepaid health plans, having an enrollment broker help them make choices, those are new things beneficiaries need to get accustomed to."

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Medicaid recipients will have to choose among a handful of provider networks that have won state Medicaid contracts, similar to HMO or PPO plans offered by group or individual health plans.

"[The networks] have care managers and other people in their entities that will help people be able to get to the right place so they’ll be able to get the services that’ll best meet their needs," Farrington said.

About 148,000 Wake County residents are on Medicaid, according to county Human Services Director Regina Petteway.

Any Medicaid recipients who don't enroll by the Sept. 13 deadline will be assigned to a provider network, officials said.

The new system launches Nov. 1 in those 27 counties. State officials expect all 100 counties to be switched into managed care by next February.

People who need assistance signing up for the new system can call 833-850-5500.