Note: Some benefits have eligibility requirements
NC Medicaid Expansion is here. If you're ages 19–64, you may be able to get health care coverage through Medicaid if you didn’t qualify before. Learn more.
Choose Healthy Blue for your NC Medicaid Managed Care plan
Low or no-cost health insurance with Healthy Blue
Since 1933, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina has helped millions of North Carolinians get and stay healthy. With our Healthy Blue Medicaid plan, we cover low-income adults and pregnant women. Put the Power of Blue℠ to work for you.
Benefits with Healthy Blue
Nothing is more important than keeping you and your family healthy. We offer the care you need, plus extra benefits just for our members. Some members may have a small copay for certain health care services or prescriptions.
Get the care you need from a doctor you choose. We have thousands of doctors in our plan, including many specialists. Your wellness visits (annual exams) are also covered. You won’t pay anything for these visits or the immunizations (shots) you need to stay healthy.
Your benefits include a wide range of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. We can even deliver your medicines to your home.
If you need care in the hospital, you’re covered. Benefits also include urgent and emergency care.
If you are pregnant, all your pregnancy care, including labor and delivery, is included in your benefits. Your newborn baby’s care is also covered.
Your benefits include routine eye exams and eyeglasses, if needed.
We know that health care is more than just doctor visits. As a Healthy Blue member, you have access to no-cost extras to help you live your best.
For kids and young adults
- $50 annual credit for school supplies for ages 6–18 with completion of a care needs screener
- Up to $100 for after-school activities for ages 6–18 with completion of a flu shot within the past 12 months
- Free STEM puzzle set for ages 8–16 ― a fun way for kids to learn about science, technology, engineering, and math
- 24 hours of virtual tutoring for eligible members ages 6–18
- $25 gift card to Foot Locker or Old Navy yearly for members in 11th or 12th grade with a 3.5 GPA or higher
For getting around
- Uber gift card
- Free rides to doctor visits
- Up to 10 rides to personal appointments for members who get long-term services and supports (LTSS)
For pregnant members and new moms
- Rewards for going to doctor visits (up to $50)
- Baby essentials catalog with choice of up to two items for completing one prenatal visit. Options include booster seat, stroller, breastfeeding support kit, safe sleep kit, and more
- Services by a licensed doula for pregnant members in certain areas who complete one prenatal visit
- Rides to and from birthing or Lamaze classes
For taking the next step
- GED or high school equivalency exam voucher (up to $160 value) for members age 18 and older
For housing
- Help with stabilizing housing for those experiencing/pending homelessness (up to $500 value). Must meet eligibility requirements.
- Help with housing expenses (up to $200 value). Must meet eligibility requirements.
- Help with hotel after a hospital stay (up to $500 value). Must meet eligibility requirements.
For your health
- Up to $75 in yearly rewards for doctor visits
- Three months of fresh fruits and veggies for qualifying members
- Receive an asthma relief kit for members with asthma and a completed wellness visit
- Up to $25 for pain management products
- 13-week voucher for WW® (formerly Weight Watchers)
- Access to online fitness coach
- Visits to the chiropractor
- Acupuncture treatments
- Cellphone with 1,000 minutes, unlimited text, and 4.5 GB of data per month for those who qualify.
- Up to $100 a year for attending Member Advisory Committee meetings
Doctors and hospitals
The Healthy Blue provider network includes major hospital systems throughout the state. We work with thousands of doctors and experts to make getting medical care easier. Use our search tool to see all the providers in our plan.
How to join
Apply for NC Medicaid benefits
Medicaid helps low-income individuals ages 19–64, pregnant women, and children get health care coverage. You can apply in one of these ways:
Go online to North Carolina ePass
Call or visit your local Department of Social Services office. Find one near you
You can apply year-round. If you qualify, you can choose Healthy Blue as your health plan. For more information on how to apply, visit the NC Medicaid website.
Choose your health plan
Once you are approved for benefits, you will be assigned to a health plan. You have 90 days to switch to the health plan of your choice. You can choose your health plan in one of these ways:
Go to ncmedicaidplans.gov to enroll online
Call the NC Medicaid Enrollment Broker at 833-870-5500 (TTY 833-870-5588), 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday
Fill out the enrollment form you receive in the mail
Get the free mobile app by searching for NC Medicaid Managed Care on Google Play™ or the App Store®
If you need help choosing a plan, an independent team of enrollment specialists can give you more information about the health plans available to you. Call an enrollment specialist at 833-870-5500 (TTY 833-870-5588) or visit ncmedicaidplans.gov.
Don’t miss your chance to choose the plan you want.