New NC health plan streamlines care for foster youth, caregivers

NORTH CAROLINA, USA — A new North Carolina health plan aims to simplify and strengthen medical and behavioral care for children in foster care, those who have been adopted from the system, and young adults who have aged out.

As of Monday, all physical and mental health services for these children fall under a single program: the Children and Families Specialty Plan, branded as Healthy Blue Care Together . The plan is operated in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina.

Previously, children, adolescents, and their caregivers often had to navigate two systems: Medicaid for medical needs and local management entities/managed care organizations for behavioral health services.

“Before, you would have two different types of entities to work with,” Lisa Cauley, Human Servic