Guilford County expands staff in preparation for Medicaid expansion

Guilford County is increasing staff in preparation for Medicaid expansion, which begins December 1 and will give more than 600,000 North Carolinians access to health care.

The county's Medicaid Division Director of Health Benefits Erica Reeves says the county is hiring a total of 41 new case workers, with 25 of those hires already on board. The new staff will help determine Medicaid eligibility for low-income parents, seniors and people with disabilities.

Reeves says there are currently around 163,000 Medicaid recipients in the county. The expansion could add around 33,000 more.

"Someone loses income that number may go up, or if someone gains additional income to put them over the income limit it may kick them out of the eligibility range," Reeves says. "So that number will always fluctuate."

She says the expansion will provide health coverage for those who meet the guidelines. A person between the ages of 19 and 64 who makes around $20,120 a year or less will be eligible to receive Medicaid.

Reeves says individuals who are eligible and enrolled in the county's family planning services will automatically be upgraded to full Medicaid benefits.

Residents can apply now in person at the Guilford County Department of Social Services office in Greensboro or High Point, or online.