NC Medicaid Direct Care workers to receive one-time bonus in recognition of their work and ongoing efforts during COVID-19 pandemic

RALEIGH — The recently adopted North Carolina state budget includes funds to give a one-time bonus to eligible home- and community-based direct care workers and support staff who provide services to Medicaid and NC Health Choice beneficiaries. The budget also includes a provision to implement a home- and community-based direct care worker wage increase for eligible employees who provide services to Medicaid and NC Health Choice beneficiaries.

Eligible direct care workers include those providing home- and community-based services, working in intermediate care facilities (group homes) for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ICF-IID), and working in waiver programs like CAP/DA and CAP/C, personal care services, home health and other community-based and institutional settings like nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

“The public health emergency continues to be challenging for all of us but has been particularly hard on our direct care workers who provide care to North Carolina’s most vulnerable citizens,” said Deputy Secretary for NC Medicaid Dave Richard. “We are pleased this budget allocation was approved, acknowledging the critical role of these often-overlooked health care heroes.”

Direct care workers should reach out to their employers for specific eligibility details and information about how and when the bonuses and raises will be distributed. NCDHHS anticipates most will be distributed by April 15, 2022.