The Affordable Care Act (sometimes called Obamacare) will require most NC residents without health insurance to obtain insurance by March 31, 2014, or pay a penalty. You may meet this requirement through existing coverage with an employer, a spouse's employer, or a private policy. You may also meet that requirement if you are covered by Medicaid, NC Health Choice, or Medicare.
If you are currently not covered by health insurance, you may find information about purchasing insurance through the Federal Healthcare Exchange, on the Healthcare.Gov website (Cuidadodesalud.gov (Spanish)). They can also be reached by phone: 800-318-2596. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may use the TTY line at 855-889-4325. Two private insurance companies, Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC, and Coventry, are providing coverage under the Federal Healthcare Exchange. More information is available from those companies' websites or local agents. Visit the Blue Cross Blue Shield Website.
Social Services is not an official "navigator" for the Affordable Care Act, and cannot provide guidance on how to interpret information, submit applications, or discuss tax subsidies associated with the ACA Insurance Marketplace.
Moore County Social Services is only involved in establishing eligibility for Medicaid and NC Health Choice, a State-sponsored insurance program for children whose families meet certain income guidelines. NC has not expanded Medicaid, so the eligibility rules for that program remain the same. Medicaid for adults who meet income guidelines - and who are not blind, disabled, and/or elderly - may be limited to family planning services.
You may now apply for Nutrition Services (Food Stamps), Medicaid, and NC Health Choice through NC ePass. You may also apply for these programs at our office at 1036 Carriage Oaks Drive Carthage, NC 28327.
Visit the NC Get Covered website to learn how to get and stay covered.