Governor Josh Stein will restore rates for Medicaid providers back to September 30 rates. 

The statement came at a press conference held today. 

Rates for many behavioral health and physical services were cut between three to 10% as of October 1 due to what NCDHHS estimates to be a significant gap in Medicaid funding.

Trillium Health members and providers disproportionally experienced the impact of these rate cuts. 

“Many of our members live in rural areas where accessing health care services can be more difficult,” Trillium said. “For providers who were already operating on slim budget margins, the cuts were not sustainable for their business practices.”

Stein said, “North Carolina is now restoring provider rates to their September 30 levels, the rates before the cuts were enacted, so that patients can continue to receive the care that they need and deserve.” 

The governor said, “Without additional funds [from the General Assembly], Medicaid will run out of money in the spring, which would be absolutely devastating, not only to Medicaid patients, but to the entirety of our healthcare system. I urge the General Assembly to do the right thing and that is to fully fund Medicaid.”

NCDHHS Secretary Devdutta “Dev” Sangvai said, “Medicaid contributes more than $30 billion to the North Carolina economy. It helps keep rural hospitals open and strengthens the financial stability of providers across the state. North Carolina has worked hard for years to build a fiscally responsible, high-performing Medicaid program, one that is the envy of every state in the nation, and everyone agrees that more funding is needed to keep it whole.”

Trillium contracted providers do not need to take any action at this time. Trillium will restore rates in our business systems back to the September 30 levels as instructed by Stein. 

More information will be shared with providers soon.

“Trillium is thankful that Governor Stein and Dr. Sangvai found a solution while we await the finalized budget,” stated Joy Futrell, Trillium CEO. “Many of the members in our population are medically fragile or experiencing crisis situations. Ensuring our providers have the adequate support and funding to serve these members is crucial to their health and long-term outcomes.”