RALEIGH, N.C., June 9, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, North Carolina for Better Medicaid (NCBM), a
coalition of dedicated health care advocates from across
North Carolina, released research
from a statewide survey on the upcoming transition to Medicaid
Managed Care. With this Thursday marking three weeks until the
transformation, today's research shows a vital need for more
awareness before the July 1st change
impacts millions of North Carolinians. However, once provided with
baseline information and education on Managed Care, residents
across the state strongly supported the transition and
overwhelmingly approved of its focus on improving patient access
and care.
The research, conducted for NCBM by APCO Insight, surveyed a
representative sample of 1,000 North
Carolina residents from across the state. Findings from this
public survey show low awareness from North Carolinians on how the
upcoming move to a Managed Care model will impact their lives,
including increasing access to whole-person, high-quality health
care and bringing savings to the state budget. NCBM found that
prior to participating in the survey, 62% of respondents knew very
little or nothing at all about the Medicaid transformation taking
place July 1st, despite open
enrollment occurring throughout March, April and May.
"With the well-being of North Carolinians at stake, and as we
recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more critical than ever
that we make sure all eligible individuals are aware of the
importance of Medicaid Managed Care. The North Carolina Community
Action Association (NCCAA) is proud to join NCBM in highlighting
the ability of managed care to improve access to preventive health
and wellness programs and incentivize providers to help patients
achieve long-term health," said Yvette
Ruffin, Communications Director at the NCCAA.
While today's research shows low awareness of the upcoming
transformation, it simultaneously shows strong support for the
potential benefits of a Medicaid Managed Care model. Seventy
percent of survey participants had a positive impression when they
learned of the transformation's focus on improving access to
preventive health and wellness programs, and 68% support its
potential to drive down long-term health care costs. The research
also found 67% of respondents had a positive impression of Medicaid
Managed Care's ability to improve access to care for North Carolina's most vulnerable. NCBM saw
similar levels of support from survey respondents across regions,
gender, and education, with an especially high percent of
Millennials (73%) and Black North Carolinians (73%) in favor of the
transformation. There is also bi-partisan support for the
transition to Managed Care with a majority of Democrats and a
plurality of Republicans supporting transformation.
"We are thrilled to see strong statewide support from across the
state for moving to Medicaid Managed Care. Over the past five years
since Medicaid Managed Care passed, the need for this
transformation has only grown, especially within our state's most
vulnerable populations. While encouraged by the support, we also
see the need for statewide leaders to raise awareness of this
transformation which will improve health care delivery in
North Carolina while driving down
long-term health costs," said Susan
Pettengill, VP of Healthy Living, YMCA of the Triangle.
Today's research stems from NCBM's mission to produce
evidence-based research, serve as a trusted resource, and work
with key stakeholders and decision-makers in North Carolina to raise awareness of the
July 1st transformation. NCBM
coalition members pledge to continue advocating and educating all
North Carolinians about Medicaid Managed Care and encourage
legislators and local organizations to participate as well. For
more information on how to join NCBM or support its efforts, please
visit northcarolinaforbettermedicaid.org
For more information on today's research, or for media
interested in speaking with coalition members, please contact
Alex Sopko at
asopko@apcoworldwide.com or 202-631-2927.
You can find North Carolina for
Better Medicaid on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
About North Carolina for
Better Medicaid
North Carolina for Better Medicaid
is a multi-stakeholder, consensus-based group of organizations
committed to building a better Medicaid system that improves
access, quality, outcomes and affordability in North
Carolina. Our members include patient advocates,
community-based organizations, health care leaders, health plans
and others who are champions of Medicaid and Medicaid Managed Care.
Current members include credible and diverse voices in healthcare
including Mt. Zion Baptist Church,
Mountain Projects Community Action Agency, I-CARE, Inc., the
Economic Improvement Council, North
Carolina Community Action Association, the North Carolina
Black Alliance, the North Carolina Senior Living Association, the
YMCA of the Triangle, NC Child, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
North Carolina (Healthy Blue), and
UnitedHealth Group, who are working to ensure a successful
transition to Managed Care and improve health care in the state.
Learn more at northcarolinaforbettermedicaid.org
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SOURCE North Carolina For Better Medicaid