COVID-19 Delays Health Opportunities Pilot Program

Due to the need for health and human service organizations to focus their available resources on the COVID-19 crisis, NC DHHS has announced the suspension of the start of the Healthy Opportunities Pilot program.  A new award date for the Lead Pilot Entities has not been determined. 

The Healthy Opportunities Pilot Program would utilize Medicaid funds to pay for non-medical services related to food, housing, transportation and interpersonal safety   for Medicaid consumers. The Lead Pilot Entities would serve as the mechanism for payers, providers and human service agencies to access the tools, infrastructure and financing to integrate these non-medical services into the delivery of care for Medicaid eligible individuals.  Healthy Opportunities is part of the 1115 Medicaid Waiver.

In their statement, the Department says they are committed to addressing the unmet resource needs of North Carolinians, and this delay does not impact current activities already begun with the NCCARES 360 program and the educational initiative for Community Health Workers.  Details on both programs as stated by NC DHHS are below.

• NCCARE360 [nccare360.org] will continue to serve as the network for connecting health care and human service organizations to a shared technology platform that allows for a coordinated, community-oriented, person-centered approach to delivering care in North Carolina. Onboarding to the platform and training will continue as planned. By participating in the network, providers can continue to electronically connect those with identified needs to community resources and allow for a feedback loop on the outcome of that connection. This solution ensures accountability around services delivered, provides a “any door” approach, closes the loop on every referral made and reports on outcomes of that connection.
• The North Carolina Community Health Worker Initiative [ncdhhs.gov] will offer the next semester of coursework at educational institutions in the North Carolina Community College System in spring 2021. The course will provide individuals with the required knowledge, tools and resources to become recognized as a certified Community Health Worker in North Carolina working in a variety of health care and community settings (health departments, hospitals, federally qualified health centers, clinics, faith-based organizations, etc.) The nine core competencies covered in the course include communication, capacity building, service coordination, interpersonal advocacy, outreach and personal/professional skills. Students will also learn how to use NCCARE360 to connect community members to health and human service resources.

Questions about the delay or procurement of Lead Pilot Entities and the suspension of awards can be directed to Medicaid.Procurement@dhhs.nc.gov.