Pregnancy Medicaid: Brunswick Nc Coverage

Medicaid is a health insurance program for low-income individuals and families in North Carolina who cannot afford healthcare costs. In Brunswick County, NC, Medicaid covers a wide range of community health services, including the Pregnancy Care Management (PCM) Program, which is designed to improve birth outcomes, increase full-term births and birth weights, and decrease C-sections, as well as improve the quality of care given to pregnant Medicaid recipients. To be eligible for Medicaid coverage, the pregnant woman's monthly family income cannot exceed 196% of the federal poverty level, but there is no limit on the resources held by the family.

Medicaid eligibility requirements for pregnancy in Brunswick County, NC

Medicaid is a health insurance program for low-income individuals and families who cannot afford healthcare costs. There are many different Medicaid programs, and the eligibility requirements vary slightly between programs.

To be eligible for Medicaid coverage for pregnancy in Brunswick County, NC, the following criteria must be met:

• Residency and Citizenship: The applicant must be a U.S. citizen or have eligible immigration status and live in North Carolina. They must also have a Social Security number or show that they have applied for one if they are eligible.
• Income Limits: The monthly family income must not exceed the specified limits, which vary depending on family size. For example, a pregnant person with a family size of one may be eligible if their income is $3,339/month or less (including one unborn child). As the family size increases, the income limit is adjusted accordingly.
• Unborn Child Exclusion: When calculating family size, it is important to note that an unborn child is not included in the family size determination.
• Medical Conditions: The pregnancy may qualify for special coverage if there are certain medical conditions present, such as physical or cognitive disabilities, traumatic brain injury, or breast or cervical cancer.
• Asset Limits: In addition to income limits, there may be restrictions on the amount of assets the family can hold. For example, for "Medicaid for Families with Dependent Children," the family cannot have more than $3,000 in assets such as savings in the bank.
• Services Covered: Medicaid for Pregnant Women typically covers services related to pregnancy, including prenatal care, delivery, postpartum care, treatment for medical conditions that may complicate the pregnancy, behavioural health services, and family planning services.

It is important to note that the eligibility requirements provided are general guidelines, and there may be additional criteria specific to Brunswick County, NC, or the particular Medicaid program being applied for. The best way to determine eligibility is to apply and have a caseworker review the specific circumstances.

Income limits for Medicaid eligibility

In Texas, for example, the income and asset limits for Medicaid eligibility in 2024 are as follows:

• For a single Nursing Home Medicaid applicant: monthly income under $2,829 and assets under $2,000, plus a requirement for a Nursing Home Level of Care.
• For a married couple (both spouses applying) for Institutional/Nursing Home Medicaid: monthly income of $2,829 per applicant and combined assets of $3,000, plus a requirement for a Nursing Home Level of Care.
• For a married couple (one spouse applying) for Institutional/Nursing Home Medicaid: monthly income of $2,829 for the applicant, combined assets of $2,000 for the applicant and $154,140 for the non-applicant, plus a requirement for a Nursing Home Level of Care.

Additionally, Texas offers the Children's Medicaid program, which provides low-cost or free health coverage for children in low-income families. While the income limits for this program are not specified, it is mentioned that eligibility is determined based on family income.

In North Carolina, while specific income limits are not provided, it is mentioned that Medicaid is available for low-income individuals and families who cannot afford health care costs. The North Carolina Health Choice program offers health coverage for children whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private or employer-sponsored health insurance.

It is important to note that income limits for Medicaid eligibility can vary by state and specific program, and it is recommended to check with the appropriate state agency or website for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

Substance use disorder treatment for pregnant women

Pregnant women with substance use disorders require a multiprofessional treatment setting involving medical, psychological, and social care. This is because they face multiple challenges, including physiological problems due to pregnancy, socioeconomic issues, and psychological problems such as feelings of guilt and fear of societal stigmatization.

The treatment of pregnant women with substance use disorders should be voluntary unless there is a life-threatening situation for the mother or child. Treatment should be comprehensive and address the patient's needs, including any somatic and psychiatric comorbidities, as well as polysubstance use.

A nonjudgmental and respectful attitude from caregivers is essential to building trust with the patient. It is also important to recognize that pregnancy can be a strong motivator for patients to enter and stay in treatment.

The type of interventions offered depends on various factors, including the type and amount of substances consumed, the week of pregnancy, the patient's health status, and their social resources.

Alcohol Abuse/Dependence During Pregnancy

Immediate action is necessary to prevent highly detrimental effects on the unborn child. An inpatient detoxification treatment seems most appropriate to achieve abstinence as safely and quickly as possible. Close monitoring and intense outpatient care are important to prevent relapses or to intervene as quickly as possible if they occur.

Smoking During Pregnancy

Non-pharmacological interventions such as counseling or behavioral therapeutic strategies should be preferred. It has been shown that daily maternal nicotine intake has a dose-severity association with neonatal abstinence syndrome and reduced birth weight in newborns who have been intrauterine-exposed to opioids.

Cannabis Use During Pregnancy

No pharmacological therapeutic options are available for cannabis use disorders during pregnancy. Thus, non-pharmacological interventions such as behavioral strategies should be implemented to reduce cannabis consumption.

Sedatives/Benzodiazepines

A gradual reduction of daily benzodiazepine intake until total abstinence is achieved is recommended during pregnancy.

Stimulants: Amphetamines/Cocaine

Abstinence from these substances is the ideal goal. Since somatic dependence on stimulants is marginal, intense psychological care is recommended to encourage and stabilize the patient during withdrawal.

Opioid Abuse/Dependence During Pregnancy

Pharmacologic maintenance therapy is the current standard of care for opioid abuse/dependence during pregnancy. Methadone and buprenorphine are the most common medications used, with buprenorphine being associated with less severe neonatal withdrawal but a lower maternal treatment retention rate.

Economic Considerations

Adequate interventions for pregnant women with substance use disorders may help save healthcare costs, which can become extremely high in cases of complications or poor neonatal outcomes.

Pregnancy care management programs in Brunswick County, NC

The Pregnancy Care Management (PCM) Program in Brunswick County, NC, is a comprehensive initiative designed to enhance birth outcomes and overall maternity care quality. The program is open to pregnant women enrolled in North Carolina Medicaid and, in some counties, a limited number of low-income, uninsured pregnant women.

The PCM program in Brunswick County is committed to improving birth outcomes by increasing full-term births and birth weights, reducing C-sections, and enhancing the quality of care for pregnant Medicaid recipients. This is achieved through coordinated efforts between care managers, medical providers, and community resources.

Pregnancy Care Managers in Brunswick County are typically registered nurses or social workers. They work closely with expectant mothers and their prenatal care providers to ensure holistic support throughout the pregnancy and after delivery. Care Managers assist in navigating medical appointments, managing medications, and providing referrals to essential programs such as childbirth and breastfeeding education classes.

Additionally, Brunswick County offers a range of community health services that complement the PCM program. These include the Care Management for At-Risk Children Program (CMARC), which focuses on improving healthcare outcomes for young children, and the Diabetes Education Program, providing education and support for individuals with Type I or Type II diabetes.

Pregnant women in Brunswick County, NC, can benefit from the PCM program's comprehensive approach to pregnancy care, ensuring a healthy pregnancy and positive birth outcomes for both mother and child. The program's dedicated care managers and collaborative community network work together to provide essential support and resources throughout this exciting yet crucial period.

Postpartum care for women on pregnancy Medicaid

Medicaid is a health insurance program for low-income individuals and families who cannot afford healthcare costs. In the US, Medicaid finances about 4 in 10 births. In North Carolina, there are many different Medicaid programs, and the eligibility requirements vary slightly between programs.

In Brunswick County, NC, there are several programs available through Health and Human Services that provide affordable health insurance or health coverage for those who cannot afford health insurance. These include Health Choice for Children, which offers health coverage for children whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance.

Pregnant women on Medicaid in North Carolina can receive perinatal care through the Pregnancy Medical Home (PMH) program. This program is modelled after the enhanced primary care case management (PCCM) program developed by Community Care of North Carolina (CCNC). PMH is not only for customers of Medicaid for Pregnant Women (MPW). If a pregnant Medicaid beneficiary’s aid program category covers pregnancy services, she is eligible to participate in this program.

Postpartum care is critical for maternal health. Federal law requires states to provide pregnancy-related Medicaid coverage through 60 days postpartum. After this period, some individuals may qualify for Medicaid through another pathway, but others may lose coverage, particularly in non-expansion states. To address this issue, a provision in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 gave states the option to extend Medicaid postpartum coverage to 12 months via a state plan amendment (SPA). This option was made permanent by the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023.

Frequently asked questions