UPDATE: In 2020, Medicaid is not expected to undergo any significant changes.

Understanding how to apply for Medicaid in North Carolina is the first step toward receiving government-sponsored healthcare benefits. However, prior to starting your Medicaid application, you must meet certain eligibility requirements.

Unlike the state health insurance marketplace, there is no deadline to apply for North Carolina Medicaid. Applicants are reviewed and coverage is extended throughout the entire year. Learn how and where to apply for Medicaid in North Carolina by reviewing the following topics:

• How to Apply for Medicaid Online in North Carolina
• Where to Apply for Medicaid in Person
• How to Submit a Medicaid Application Forms by Mail
• How to Sign Up for Medicaid by Phone in North Carolina

How to Apply for Medicaid Online in North Carolina

Online Medicaid applications are the most popular because they are easy and convenient to submit. You can apply for NC Medicaid online at the state’s Department of Health and Human Services website. When ready to apply for Medicaid in North Carolina, begin by accessing the “e-Pass portal,” which is simple to operate.

First, create your e-Pass account if you have not yet registered for one. Next, answer each of the pre-screening inquiries included on the NC Medicaid application forms. Then, fill out the required fields according to the e-Pass instructions, submit your forms for Medicaid application, and wait to be contacted by phone or mail with a decision regarding the status of your application for Medicaid.

For all the details you’ll need to get through the application process quickly and easily, download our helpful guide.

It is also worth noting that individuals who do not own a computer with an internet connection can utilize one by visiting the Department of Health and Human Services’ Self-Service Centers. These facilities have computers with online connections for the general public to use. Certain Self-Service Centers even have Medicaid experts on-site to provide assistance with the online North Carolina Medicaid application process.

Where to Apply for Medicaid in Person

Where can you apply for NC Medicaid in person? Head to your local Department of Social Services office, where a North Carolina Medicaid application can be picked up. It is important to determine your eligibility for coverage before filling out the state’s Medicaid application. The paperwork is time-consuming, so it’s best to request in-person confirmation regarding your qualifications prior to engaging in the process.

Ensure your North Carolina Medicaid application process goes smoothly by bringing along important documents. You should have handy your:

• Birth certificate.
• Social Security card.
• Proof of United States citizenship.
• Bank statements and copies of pay stubs from the past month.
• A list of vehicles and/or assets owned by anyone in your household intending to apply for Medicaid.
• A copy of your life insurance and health insurance policies (if applicable).
• Financial statements from additional sources of income aside from your job.

Examples of additional sources of income that must be declared when you discover how to apply for Medicaid in NC include:

• Child support
• Veteran benefits
• Retirement benefits
• Social Security earnings
• Pensions

Once your eligibility for benefits has been affirmed, complete your North Carolina Medicaid application form, submit it, and you will soon hear back. If you decide to download and print an online Medicaid application before dropping it off at your local Department of Social Services office, it is important to fill out as much of the form as you can ahead of time, which prevents you from being in a crowded office when you apply for benefits.

Furthermore, filling out the forms for Medicaid application at home will give you the chance to identify fields that you have questions about. Take note of those problem areas, bring the application into the closest Department of Social Services office and ask a representative for assistance.

Download our in-depth guide to learn more about how to apply for Medicaid.

How to Submit a Medicaid Application Forms by Mail

Where do you sign up for Medicaid if you do not have a means of transportation to travel to your local Department of Social Services office? And, where do you sign up for Medicaid if you do not have a computer with an internet connection to send a NC Medicaid application online?

It is possible to apply for Medicaid by mail. Contact the Department of Social Services closest to you to see if someone will mail you a copy of the North Carolina Medicaid application.

If you do have a computer with an internet connection, download the NC Medicaid application forms. Fill them out and mail your application packet to the Department of Social Services closest to you.

Keep in mind that submitting your North Carolina Medicaid application forms by mail will slightly delay the decision to approve or deny coverage, due to the added time it takes to mail the forms for Medicaid application, sort them, process paperwork and mail a decision notice back to you.

How to Sign Up for Medicaid by Phone in North Carolina

If you prefer to apply for North Carolina Medicaid over the phone, you can do so with the help of a trained representative. A Division of Social Services (DSS) caseworker will determine if you meet the requirements for approval. The hearing impaired can also apply over the phone for assistance with Medicaid applications. Caseworkers must be informed of any life changes, so they can review the NC Medicaid application forms accurately.

If you would like to apply for NC Medicaid by fax, call your local Department of Social Services office to find out if they will accept your North Carolina Medicaid application by fax. If so, obtain the office’s facsimile number and do not forget to include a cover sheet in front of your application. In some areas, it is illegal to transmit a fax without a cover sheet.