For North Carolinians who rely on Medicaid, access to a doctor, prescriptions and essential care can make all the difference. New federal work and reporting requirements will soon add another challenge: navigating the paperwork needed to keep that coverage.
On October 29, Keep Your Care launched its statewide North Carolina campaign at a Raleigh roundtable with Congresswoman Deborah Ross. The campaign will help people understand the changes, learn whether they qualify for an exemption and connect with support to stay covered.
Approximately 740,000 North Carolinians receive coverage through Medicaid expansion. Beginning January 1, 2027, people covered through expansion will need to demonstrate that they meet new work and reporting requirements through employment, school, volunteering or other qualifying activities, unless they qualify for an exemption.
Even people who remain eligible could lose coverage if they struggle to navigate the new process. For families and caregivers, the consequences could extend well beyond a missed appointment: the need for care continues when coverage disappears.
“North Carolina fought for years to expand Medicaid, and we cannot let Republicans and the Trump administration put that progress at risk,” said Congresswoman Ross. “No one should lose access to a doctor, prescriptions or essential care because they get caught in confusing paperwork and red tape.”
Connecting North Carolinians with information and support
Keep Your Care’s North Carolina website provides information in English and Spanish about the new requirements, exemptions and deadlines, along with connections to local assistance.
The campaign combines a six-figure digital advertising effort through the end of 2026 with media outreach, community events and partnerships with local organizations. By working through trusted messengers, Keep Your Care will help people get information early and find support when they need it.
The North Carolina effort will also support existing programs that recruit, train and deploy community health workers and navigators in underserved communities. These local connections can help people understand what steps to take and where to turn for assistance.
Working together to prevent avoidable coverage losses
Helping people stay covered also means making the process easier to navigate. Keep Your Care will work with state agency leaders and affected communities to simplify verification, improve communications and help people obtain exemptions.
The campaign will bring together partners across health care, labor, caregiving, disability, reproductive health, faith and advocacy organizations to identify barriers and share solutions. North Carolinians’ experiences will guide that work, helping partners improve outreach and identify problems as the requirements take effect.
“North Carolinians who still qualify for Medicaid could lose their coverage simply because they can’t navigate new paperwork and reporting requirements,” said Kirk Adams and Nicole Jorwic, co-leads of Keep Your Care. “Losing access to health care and long-term care would put even more pressure on families and caregivers, because the need for care doesn’t disappear when coverage does.”
North Carolina is one of seven priority states where Keep Your Care is launching targeted efforts with local partners. Together, we’re working to prevent eligible people from losing the care they depend on because of red tape.
Do you or someone you care for rely on Medicaid? Visit Keep Your Care North Carolina to learn about the changes and find resources in English and Spanish.