Orlando Harmon
If you have no income and live in North Carolina, you may be eligible for Medicaid, a health insurance program for certain low-income people that is paid for with federal, state, and county dollars. Medicaid pays for doctor's visits, yearly check-ups, emergency care, and mental health care services at little to no cost to the patient. You can also find out if you are eligible for Southeast Insurance Solutions, which offers affordable health insurance coverage for North Carolinians who do not have access to an employer-sponsored health plan.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Individuals aged 19-64, U.S. citizens or with eligible immigration status, with a household income at or below 138% of the federal poverty level |
| Application Process | Apply online or through the mail, email, or fax to the local Department of Social Services (DSS) |
| Required Documents | Social Security number, driver's license, and other supporting documents |
| Resources | NC Health Info, NC Navigator Consortium, Medicaid Ambassador, Benefits Finder, Federal Health Insurance Marketplace |
| Additional Services | Free urgent care clinics, prescription drug assistance programs, dental care, HIV/AIDS care |
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What You'll Learn
Eligibility for Medicaid
Medicaid is a health insurance program for certain low-income people that is paid for with federal, state, and county dollars. It provides health care coverage for people with lower incomes, including those who are unemployed. NC Medicaid now provides health care coverage to more people, including people aged 19-64.
To be eligible for Medicaid in North Carolina, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be a U.S. citizen or have an eligible immigration status
- Live in North Carolina
- Have a Social Security number or show that you have applied for one if you are eligible
- Have a household income at or below 138% of the federal poverty level
It is important to note that even if you were not eligible for Medicaid before, you may be eligible now. The best way to find out if you are eligible is to apply. You can also connect with a health insurance expert at NC Navigator Consortium, which offers free advice about health insurance and can help you with your application.
Additionally, North Carolina's Medicaid program offers specific benefits for seniors, including long-term care services such as personal care assistance and adult day care. To determine eligibility for these programs, seniors can take the free and quick Medicaid Eligibility Test offered by the American Council on Aging.
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Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), often called Obamacare, is a healthcare reform that makes insurance more affordable for low-to-moderate income Americans through subsidies. It was passed in March 2010 to expand insurance coverage to all Americans. The ACA requires most North Carolina residents without health insurance to obtain insurance or pay a penalty. This can be done 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.
The subsidy offered by the ACA depends on several factors, including income, marital status, and number of children. The amount of income you can spend on a health insurance plan is capped at 8.5%, meaning more people will qualify for Premium Tax Credits. You are eligible for the subsidies (i.e. premium tax credit) if you meet the following requirements:
- Have a household income between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level.
- Do not file a tax return using the filing status of Married Filing Separately.
If your income is above 400% of the Federal Poverty Level, you may still qualify for savings on a Marketplace health insurance plan. For tax years 2021 and 2022, the American Rescue Plan (ARPA) temporarily expanded eligibility for subsidies by eliminating the rule that a taxpayer with a household income above 400% of the federal poverty line cannot qualify.
The State of North Carolina offers several health insurance coverage options to all permanent, full-time employees. For temporary employees, a separate coverage is available through the State Health Plan (known as the High Deductible Health Plan) in compliance with the ACA.
To learn more about the ACA and to fill out an application online, visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325). The best time to apply is during the open enrollment period, which ran from November 1, 2022, to January 15, 2023. You may qualify for a special enrollment period if you recently lost health insurance, changed jobs, got married, had a baby, or experienced other major life events. If you need help completing an application, an NC Health Care Navigator can assist you in person, online, or via phone at 1-855-733-3711.
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Free and discounted services
If you are a resident of North Carolina with no income and are looking for free or discounted medical insurance services, there are several options available to you. Firstly, you can explore free and discounted services such as free urgent care clinics and assistance with medication costs. Here are some specific programs and resources to consider:
- Medicaid Expansion: North Carolina has expanded its Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare"). This means that more adults between the ages of 19 and 64 with low incomes can now qualify for Medicaid, which provides health care coverage at little to no cost.:
- NC Health Choice for Children: This program, now part of Medicaid, offers a health insurance plan that covers hospitalization and outpatient care for children from families that qualify.
- Insure Kids Now: This state and federal government program provides medical, dental, and psychological care for children who meet certain eligibility criteria.
- Southeast Insurance Solutions: This organization offers affordable health insurance for North Carolinians who don't have access to employer-sponsored health plans or who have been denied individual coverage due to pre-existing conditions.
- Inclusive Health – NC Health Insurance Risk Pool: This program provides health insurance options for those with pre-existing medical conditions who may otherwise struggle to get coverage.
- Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability programs: These programs offer assistance to people with disabilities who meet certain criteria.
- Prescription Drug Assistance Programs: These programs help individuals pay for their medications, including the NC MedAssist program, which provides free prescription medication to low-income, uninsured North Carolina residents who fall at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level.
- Health Centers: Health centers in North Carolina provide health and dental care to people of all ages, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.
- Ryan White HIV/AIDS Programs: These programs offer primary health care and support services for uninsured and under-insured individuals living with HIV/AIDS.
- North Carolina ePASS: This online platform allows individuals and families to learn about and apply for a range of available benefits and services.
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program: This program provides health insurance assistance specifically for older adults in North Carolina.
Remember, eligibility for these programs may depend on factors such as income, family size, age, and citizenship status. It is always worth checking with the relevant organizations to understand your specific situation and explore all your options.
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Health insurance for children
If you are a resident of North Carolina with no income and are looking for health insurance for your children, there are a few options available to you. Here is some information on health insurance for children and how to get coverage:
Insure Kids Now:
This is a state and federal government program that provides medical, dental, and psychological care for children who qualify. To see if your child qualifies, you can check the Children's Health Coverage Programs in North Carolina. The specific program is called NC Health Choice for Children and is now part of Medicaid. It covers hospitalization and outpatient care for children from families that qualify. To be eligible for NC Health Choice, your child must be between the ages of 6 and 19, and your family income must be too high to qualify for Medicaid but unable to afford private health insurance.
Medicaid:
Medicaid is a health insurance program for low-income individuals and families, now expanded in North Carolina to include people aged 19-64. To qualify, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be a resident of North Carolina
- Be a US citizen or have an eligible immigration status
- Have a Social Security number or have applied for one
- Have a household income at or below 138% of the federal poverty level (this amount will vary depending on your family size)
CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program):
CHIP, or Medicaid, is available in North Carolina for low-income families, providing affordable health insurance for children under the age of 19. The program covers routine check-ups, dental care, and immunizations.
Short-term Health Insurance:
These plans offer the advantage of year-round application and swift approval, often within 48 hours. However, they may not cover pre-existing conditions, and benefits may be restricted. It is important to carefully review the policy details to understand the limitations and restrictions of these plans.
To find out more about your options and eligibility, you can contact the NC Navigator Consortium for free advice and assistance with health insurance applications, or use the Benefits Finder tool to learn about available benefits. Additionally, Health Plans of NC can assist you in navigating the different plans available in North Carolina and finding the best option for your child's needs.
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Applying for health insurance
If you are applying for health insurance in North Carolina and have no income, you may be eligible for Medicaid, a health insurance program for certain low-income people that is paid for with federal, state, and county dollars. North Carolina expanded its Medicaid coverage to include more adults, and you may be eligible if you meet the following criteria:
- You live in North Carolina
- You are between the ages of 19 and 64
- You are a U.S. citizen or have an eligible immigration status
- Your household income is at or below 138% of the federal poverty level
- You have a Social Security number or have applied for one
You can apply for Medicaid by downloading, printing, and filling out an application, which you can mail, email, fax, or bring to your local Department of Social Services (DSS). You can find your local DSS by using this directory or calling the NC Medicaid Contact Center at 1-888-245-0179. You can also make a free appointment with an NC Navigator or call 1-855-733-3711, and they can help you complete an application or explore health insurance options.
If you are not eligible for Medicaid, you may qualify for a subsidy to assist with healthcare coverage. You can contact the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace Consumer Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 to see if you qualify. If you do not qualify for a subsidy, you can contact private insurance companies for information about health insurance options.
If you have children, your children may be eligible for health insurance even if you are not. Insure Kids Now is a state and federal government program that provides medical, dental, and psychological care for children who qualify. NC Health Choice for Children (now part of Medicaid) is a health insurance plan that covers hospitalization and outpatient care for children of families that qualify.
Additionally, there are several free and discounted services that you may qualify for, including free urgent care clinics and help with paying for your medications or health insurance. You can use the Benefits Finder tool to learn what benefits are available to you, and the Free Clinic Locator app to find a free or low-cost clinic nearby.
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Frequently asked questions
If you have no income, you may be eligible for Medicaid, which is a health insurance program for people with low incomes. You can apply for Medicaid in North Carolina by filling out an application form and submitting it to your local Department of Social Services. You can also get free advice about health insurance and help with your application from a health insurance expert at NC Navigator Consortium.
To be eligible for Medicaid in North Carolina, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be a U.S. citizen or have an eligible immigration status
- Live in North Carolina
- Have a Social Security number or have applied for one
- Have a household income at or below 138% of the federal poverty level
There are several free and discounted services available in North Carolina for those who do not qualify for Medicaid:
- Free urgent care clinics
- Help with paying for medications through programs like Prescription Drug Assistance Programs or NC MedAssist
- Health Centers, which provide health and dental care regardless of insurance or ability to pay
- Hospitals and other facilities are required to provide a certain amount of free or below-cost health care to those unable to pay
If you do not qualify for Medicaid, you may want to consider the following options:
- Contact the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace to see if you qualify for a subsidy to assist with healthcare coverage
- Explore private insurance companies in your county to learn about their health insurance plans
- If you are relocating to North Carolina, you have 60 days from the last day of your previous coverage to find new coverage
