RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Health leaders with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) have launched a health plan for children and families who qualify. The plan is a first-of-its-kind for the state.
The Children and Families Specialty Plan (CFSP) announced on Monday is a health plan that aims to ensure access to comprehensive physical and mental health services for Medicaid-enrolled children, youth and young adults currently and formerly served by the child welfare system.
The plan’s name is Healthy Blue Care Together. According to NCDHHS, with approval from and at the direction of the North Carolina General Assembly and in partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC), the CFSP is in effect.
Around 32,000 current and former children in foster care, youth, and young adults under age 26, and their minor children, were automatically enrolled in the CFSP.
“The Children and Families Specialty Plan is another example of NC Medicaid’s innovative efforts to provide seamless, integrated, and coordinated care to some of the state’s most at-risk people,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. “This plan ensures there is a unified system of care and accountability when it comes to improving the well-being of children living with the most complex challenges.”
What’s covered
As a statewide entity, NCDHHS says the Children and Families Specialty Plan will provide beneficiaries with the same basic Medicaid benefits and services and the following services:
Behavioral health, such as outpatient therapy, inpatient treatment and crisis and therapeutic residential options for childrenIntellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) servicesLong-term services and supports
NCDHHS says the CFSP is one of several initiatives being implemented to improve the health and well-being of children and families in North Carolina. Others include a package of services to prevent children from remaining in inappropriate settings like emergency departments and DSS offices while providing additional support for them and their families.
Resources
Click here for more information about services for children and families involved in the child welfare system.
Check the NCDHHS website for more on the Children and Families Specialty Plan.
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